Photo of The Dandelion by J. Fusco for GPTMC / VISIT PHILADELPHIA®
Is there anyone who doesn’t love a happy hour? It’s that magical time after work, before dinner—you’re ready to unwind, to enjoy a little break and a drink with friends. And lucky for all of us, Philly is absolutely jam-packed with excellent happy hour deals and even more excellent places in which to enjoy them. So whether you’re a wine lover, cocktail drinker, beer aficionado or just in it for the social time and the snacks, we’ve got the perfect bar for you.
But wait, there’s more. It turns out, conveniently, that some of the best Philly happy hours are within a short walking distance from our historic boutique hotel. We’re talking Center City happy hours and Gayborhood happy hours, Old City happy hours and South Street happy hours—German-style beer halls and Asian-fusion restaurants, wine bars, British pubs, Philly institutions, fancy spots and no-frills bars … there’s something for everyone. So here, without further ado, is the special Guild House Hotel short list of awesome Philly happy hours. Cheers!
Photo of Tria by S. Legato, courtesy of Tria
The spot: Tria (1137 Spruce St.)
The vibe: This twee, pretty little wine bar on Spruce Street (there is a lovely Rittenhouse outpost, too) is upscale but still chill—a tasteful, grown-up happy hour that will especially appeal to oenophiles. Great for a pre-dinner sip of wine … or a date. Oh, and the cheese boards are to die for.
The happy hour: 4 to 6 p.m., Monday to Thursday … with a menu that is ever-changing. Sometimes it’s buck-a-shuck oysters, sometimes it’s just a good (great!) deal on a mish mash of their cheeses, shareable snacks, flatbreads, beer, cocktails and wine.
Distance from Guild House Hotel: 4 minutes on foot
Photo of Bud & Marilyn’s by M. Fischetti for VISIT PHILADELPHIA®
The spot: Bud & Marilyn’s (1234 Locust St.)
The vibe: This cool, vaguely retro spot (that happens to be just a stone’s throw from our boutique hotel!) offers bang-up cocktails and an intriguing, not-overly-serious menu. A fun hang for drinks or dinner, and friendly bartenders, to boot.
The happy hour: 5 to 7 p.m., Monday to Friday. Drink deals are great—including a solid happy- hour old-fashioned ($8), boozy “pouch of the day” ($10) and rotating craft ales ($5). Bonus: The snacks are some of the most crave-worthy out there. (See: $8 crispy cheese curds, $5 Nashville hot buns, and $6 oyster po’ boy buns.) You can easily make a dinner out of all your snacks.
Distance from Guild House Hotel: One minute by foot
Photo of Sampan and Graffiti Bar by E. Mencher for VISIT PHILADELPHIA®
The spot: Sampan (124 S. 13th St.)
The vibe: This chic, Asian-fusion hotspot in the Gayborhood is moody, cool and fun for a hang inside or out—and the long list of awesome happy hour snacks really sets the place apart. A convivial crowd makes the happy hour a reliably fun one.
The happy hour: 4 to 7 p.m., every day. Sampan (and the connected Graffiti Bar in the back) offers truly excellent deals on a big list of Asian-fusion small plates, from $8 pork potstickers to $7 crispy crab rangoon to $8 Kobe hot dogs and pork bahn mi sandwiches to $7 plates of kimchi fried rice. It’s a veritable feast, at happy hour prices.
Distance from Guild House Hotel: 3 minutes on foot
Photo of The Dandelion by J. Fusco for GPTMC / VISIT PHILADELPHIA®
The spot: The Dandelion (124 S. 18th St.)
The vibe: So cozy. This two-story English-style pub is endlessly charming, with loads of plush seating and intimate little corners, plus a couple of polished bars with comfy stools for perching.
The happy hour: 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., Monday to Friday. Given the Englishness of the place, the fabulous happy hour menu of “noshes” and “bevvies” is anything but your same-old, same-old: Think $5 Welsh rarebit, a $7 jar of pickled beetroot, $8 chip butty with garlic aioli, $7 Imperial pint draughts, and delicious $8 cocktails. (Try the rose mimosa!) P.S. In the mood for something really different? Try the afternoon tea instead—there are libations in addition to tea—from 3 to 5 p.m. on weekdays.
Distance from Guild House Hotel: 14 minutes on foot
Photo of Harp & Crown by J. Fusco for VISIT PHILADELPHIA®
The spot: Harp & Crown (1525 Sansom St.)
The vibe: Elegant but still laid back. This gorgeous restaurant with soaring ceilings and exposed brick offers all sorts of seating … but the best spots, particularly at happy hour, are at the glowing, convivial bar.
The happy hour: 4 to 7 p.m., Monday to Saturday. A crowd-pleasing line-up of $7 small plates, from a cheeseburger to a salmon poke bowl to lamb meatballs to mac and cheese to a daily pizza … and more. Drinks are an equally amazing deal, with $7 select cocktails, $6 wine and $5 beers.
Distance from Guild House Hotel: 9 minutes on foot
Photo of Brahaus Schmitz by A. Ricketts for VISIT PHILADELPHIA®
The spot: Brauhaus Schmitz (718 South St.)
The vibe: Festive and fun. This massive German beer hall with character (and characters!) for days. If you’re a soccer fan, this is a place you’re going to want to catch a game.
The happy hour: 4 to 7 p.m., Monday to Friday. All 34 draughts are just $6, and the famed, filling sausage sandwiches are $8. (House wines are $7 … but why drink wine when you’re at a beer garden?)
Distance from Guild House Hotel: 19 minutes on foot
Photo of Darling Jack’s bar, courtesy of Darling Jack’s
The spot: Darling Jack’s Tavern (104 S. 13th St.)
The vibe: Swank, chic and stylish. (And like two other bars on this list—Harp & Crown and Bud & Marilyn’s—Darling Jack’s was designed by the great Kate Rohrer of Rohe Creative, who also designed our beautiful Philly historic hotel!) Happy hour here feels positively Gatsby-esque.
The happy hour: 4 to 7 p.m., Monday to Friday. Expect excellent $8 old fashioneds, aperol spritzes, a sophisticated blood orange margarita (plus nice beer and wine deals, of course), as well as elevated bar food—think deviled eggs (with ham), a smashburger, croquettes, pizzas, whipped feta with za’atar, sourdough and marinated beets, and more.
Distance from Guild House Hotel: Four minutes on foot
Photo of Oyster House by A. Ricketts for VISIT PHILADELPHIA®
The spot: Oyster House (1516 Sansom St.)
The vibe: Beautiful and boisterous. This longtime Philly standby is known—for good reason—as a place that hosts one of the best happy hours in town. It shows: The happy-hour crowd is vivacious … and constant. Get there early for a seat.
The happy hour: 4 to 6 p.m., Tuesday to Friday. Think $2 oysters, $7 punch, plus other delights like oyster shooters and crab deviled eggs and mussels and various drink specials.
Distance from Guild House Hotel: Nine minutes on foot
Photo of Good Dog courtesy of Good Dog (Instagram)
The spot: Good Dog (224 S. 15th Street)
The vibe: Super-casual, super Philly: This beloved, chill, no-frills bar is a legit institution. Friendly, fun, low-key and awesome.
The happy hour: 3 to 6 p.m., Monday to Friday. Half-priced draughts, $5 mixed drinks, $6 wine and half-price (delicious) small bites like mozzarella sticks and empanadas and buffalo wings and flatbreads and steamed mussels. To name a few faves. And just FYI: While it’s not happy-hour food, the burger at Good Dog is famous citywide.
Distance from Guild House Hotel: Five minutes on foot
Photo of Vedge by N. Santos for VISIT PHILADELPHIA™
The spot: Vedge (1221 Locust St.)
The vibe: This pretty, upscale restaurant boasts very serious foodie cred (and all dishes are vegetarian!), and a quiet, under-the-radar happy hour. It’s a lovely change of pace.
The happy hour: 5 to 7 p.m., Tuesday to Friday. The snack menu is small, but perfectly curated: $8 each for grilled tofu tacos, crispy cauliflower tacos, chilled kung pao noodles and crispy potatoes with cilantro. Plus: Gorgeous, inventive $9 cocktails, $8 wine and $5 beer.
Distance from Guild House Hotel: One minute on foot
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