Dixbee at Amá: mezcal, reposado, mole negro, totomoxtle, Photo by Drink Philly

Welcome to Cocktails Quarterly - Drink Philly's newest segment showcasing the best bars (new and old) where you should be getting a drink. Every season will feature a new line up of bars so be sure to keep a look out for our next batch of recommendations.

Summer is here, and with sweltering days come the opportunities to check out new watering holes. We’ve compiled a list of some of the best new cocktail joints Philly has to offer. Whether you’re looking for masterfully mixed drinks to sip during a high-end dining experience or a simple snack and freezer cocktail, we’ve got you covered.

Photo by Jason Varney

Bastia and Caletta
Located within Fishtown’s Anna & Bel hotel, both Bastia and Caletta offer must-try cocktail programs with swanky summer vibes. Bastia transforms from an all-day cafe into an intimate bar and restaurant with a Sardinian twist that extends into their drinks. Their Spring in Sardinia negroni combines a blend of bitters with bright pineapple and warm vanilla for a unique play on a classic. If you’d rather skip the dinner and get right to the drinks, check out Caletta, their cozy cocktail lounge with a variety of booze and bites. Make sure you try the Sardinian Ranch Water, a tasty concoction of bianco vermouth, bitters, arette blanco, grapefruit, rosemary, white balsamic, and egg white, topped with soda.

Hot tip: If you’ve been considering a staycation, Anna & Bel offer a 15% discount to locals for weekday bookings.
(1401 E Susquehanna Ave)

Photo by Drink Philly

Honeysuckle
The former West Philly grocer and cafe has put down new roots on Broad Street with their high-end prix fixe dining experience and community space. Their four-course menu celebrates flavors spanning the African diaspora with a focus on carefully sourced, sustainable ingredients. They’ve also developed an incredibly inventive cocktail program incorporating creations by their in-house fermentation director. Join them for their seasonal four-course dinner menu, or order à la carte and have a seat in the living room with a cocktail. Be sure to try the Zou Zou concoction of plaintain fat washed cognac, plaintain liqueur, citrus, egg white, and finished with a plaintain leaf powder.
(631 N Broad St)

Photo by Drink Philly

La Jefa Café
Dan Suro’s dream bar and cafe is finally open. Named in honor of the family’s late mother, La Jefa celebrates how beautiful life can be with their menu Suro describes as “Guadaladelphian.” Stop into the cafe 7 days a week for a cortado, or join La Jefa for brunch from Wednesday to Sunday for plates like their lengua pastrami sandwich or a classic pile of chilaquiles. Make sure you check out their cocktails as well for some day-drinking spins on a few classics, like their Breakfast Old Fashioned with reposado tequila and chai, or the Breakfast Sour with cascahuin blanco and Yakult. Evening service is now available as well Wednesday through Sunday, 5 PM - 11 PM.
(1605 Latimer St)

Photo by Stephen Recchia

Almanac
Above Owaga Sushi & Kappo in Old City sits Almanac, an intimate Japanese-American cocktail bar with a focus on local, ethically sourced ingredients. Their cocktail program was a collaboration with Danny Childs, James Beard Award-winning author of Slow Drinks, and it shows. Their list of cocktails is composed of classics with a Japanese twist, including a dirty martini (the Hey Mami) with Japanese vodka, rice shōchū, tomato, sherry, and whisper of shio kōji. Their philosophy extends into their menu of bar snacks, as well, with yuzu miso wings, a wagyu hot dog, and other bites.
(310 Market St, Second Floor)

Photo by Drink Philly

Amá
Former Stephen Starr chef Frankie Ramirez has brought his self-taught expertise to Fishtown in the form of an upscale live-fire Mexican restaurant and bar with a spotlight on all things agave. Amá's menu will change by the seasons to highlight ingredients in their prime, inspired by culinary traditions all throughout Mexico. Plates are meant to be shareable, so grab a friend and enjoy something from the grill. Their cocktail list has something to appeal to every palate, but if you want to try something a little different, go for the Tejuino with sotol, fermented corn, and lime water ice.
(101 W Oxford St)

Photo by Ed Newton

Poison Heart
Hidden behind a red glow and velvet curtain just down the street from Union Transfer is Poison Heart, a sexy and nostalgic cocktail bar offering chilled oysters, bar snacks, and boozy beverages. Poison Heart offers a selection of natural wines, as well as a cocktail list featuring both freezer martinis and sazeracs, plus a great happy hour. Two-buck-a-shuck oysters, $4 High Life, and $9 wine among other specials are available during their first two hours of service any day they’re open–Thursday-Sunday, plus any day there’s a gig at Union Transfer. Be sure to try their take on a city-wide–a pint of Guinness and a “mystery shot.” Why not?
(931 Spring Garden St)

Photo by Ed Newton

Supérette
Flawlessly invoking the spirit of Montmartre, Supérette's market and wine bar is nestled on Passyunk Ave next to the Singing Fountain and offers all the snacks and accouterments a francophile could ask for. Take a seat by the windows for some prime people watching, or grab a stool at the bar for drinks and a snack. In addition to classic cocktails and a few zero-proof beverages, Superette offers a wine list that extends to their bottle shop for a $25 corkage fee. As for bites, their food menu includes entrees and sandwiches, as well as a selection of meats, cheeses, and tinned fish so you can build your perfect charcuterie board. Try the Punch cocktail - clarified agave, aloe & spearmint, and black lime.
(1538 E Passyunk Ave)

Photo via Tequilas Casa Mexicana

Tequilas Casa Mexicana (reopening)
After a devastating fire in 2023, Tequilas is back and better than ever. With a staggering array of tequilas (obviously), mezcals, and more, any agave aficionado will feel right at home here. Grab a seat under the beautiful vaulted ceiling at the bar and flip through their extensive list of spirits, house margaritas, and cocktails. Their food menu looks a little different from what it used to, so expect elevated takes on familiar flavors. Be sure to try one of their seasonal margaritas or sample something new from their huge selection of spirits. We highly recommend the Alma Blanca cocktail, with tequila ocho blanco, smoked corn, hoja santa, and clarified with whole milk.
(1602 Locust St)