Secrets of the City: Philly

Ah, the Roaring Twenties. A time of flappers, jazz, and, most importantly, prohibition. While our fair city of Philadelphia was no stranger to law-abiding citizens, it also harbored a secret underworld of clandestine watering holes. 

These speakeasies were where the thirsty and the daring converged. Imagine a dark, smoky room filled with the clinking of glasses and the hushed tones of tipsy conspirators. You’d need a password, a phrase, or maybe even a handshake to gain entry. Once inside, you’d be greeted by a secret world where bathtub gin and homemade beer flowed freely

Philadelphia was never a dry city. It earned a reputation for being “as wet as the Atlantic Ocean” prior to Prohibition through its strong ties to the liquor industry and more than 100 breweries. This culture of consumption made enforcing Prohibition particularly challenging in the City of Brotherly Love. Philly quickly became a hotbed of speakeasies.

The city’s large population, coupled with its history as a hub for transportation and industry, made it an ideal location for bootleggers and the illicit sale of alcohol. Hosting as many as 16,000 secret watering holes, Philly fully embraced the speakeasy. Working-class neighborhoods like Brewerytown and Kensington, as well as the fancy-pants areas of Rittenhouse Square and Society Hill, all had their fair share of secret places to imbibe your favorite spirit or cold hops beverage.

These underground bars were cleverly disguised as everything from laundromats to grocery stores. Hidden entrances and secret knocks were common practices to avoid detection by authorities. Beyond alcohol, speakeasies often served as hubs for other illicit activities, creating a complex underworld economy of organized crime.

Thankfully, the covert-drinking days of prohibition are long gone, and we can now openly enjoy our favorite tipples. But fear not, history buffs and cocktail connoisseurs, for Philly has embraced a speakeasy revival. This underground culture left a lasting impact on Philadelphia’s history and continues to influence the city’s nightlife today with the resurgence of speakeasy-inspired bars. Hidden behind unmarked doors, these modern-day clandestine watering holes offer a taste of the past with a contemporary twist:

From the Randstead Room’s website

The Ranstead Room: This upscale speakeasy-style bar offers a short list of high-end drinks from Monday to Thursday 7:00 PM to 12:00 AM, Friday to Saturday 7:00 PM to 2:00 AM. https://ransteadroom.com/

Hop Sing Laundromat: This swanky speakeasy is building a reputation with its meticulously made cocktails and strict dress code. If you can find the place, it’s open Friday 5:00 PM to 12:00 AM, Saturday 5:00 PM to 12:00 AM, and closed the rest of the week. The Laundromat has no website, but can be followed on Instagram @hopsinglaundromat

Pen & Pencil Club: Founded in 1892, the Pen and Pencil is the oldest continuously operating press club in America, and the second-oldest in the world! Check out its speakeasy vibe from Monday to Thursday 6:30 PM to 3:00 AM, Friday 6:30 PM to 3:00 AM, Saturday 7:00 PM to 3:00 AM, and Sunday 7:00 PM to 3:00 AM. http://www.penandpencil.org/

1 Tippling Place: This stylish craft cocktail bar offers seasonal and classic libations in a charming, midcentury parlor setting. Tippling Place is open Tuesday to Thursday 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM, Friday to Saturday 5:00 PM to 12:00 AM, and closed the rest of the week. http://1tpl.com

Andra Hem: This stylish speakeasy offers cocktails, small bites and dessert and is open Wednesday to Saturday 5:00 PM to 12:00 AM.  http://www.andrahem.com/

So, the next time you find yourself craving a little mystery with your martini or some stealth with your suds, venture out into Philly and discover these delicious hidden gems.

Written by Jenna, a local expert guide for Philly Crawling. A recent escapee from the corporate world, she enjoys volunteering and spending time with family. She’s a pet lover, self-proclaimed beer geek, travel enthusiast, and aspiring foodie. Join Jenna for history and beer on Philly Crawling’s Liberty Pub Crawl.