Best upscale bars?

[Diann]

I fell in love with Pegu Club this past weekend and am now feeling hesitant about running out and grabbing drinks with friends here because the bars I know of won't live up to the Pegu Club experience.

Is there anything remotely like this in Philadelphia? Places with knowledgeable and friendly bartenders, fantastic drinks mixed with loving care, relaxed loungey atmosphere, etc.?

Katie had mentioned on the Pegu Club thread that she wants to open something like this someday, but I'm an instant gratification kind of girl.

[herbacidal]

Probably not really.

If I had to take a guess though, I'd start with the Ritz Carlton, Four Seasons, and Park Hyatt Bellevue bars. Maybe also Meritage.

[KatieLoeb]

The barstaff at Southwark is pretty professional and mixes a fine cocktail.

[stephenc]

C'mon, do you you really think Philly would have a bar that fey?

[Capaneus]

C'mon, do you you really think Philly would have a bar that fey?

←

C'mon, we can be as effete as *anybody*!

My personal (limited) experience is that the Ritz-Carlton and The Striped Bass are as close as we get. Which isn't very close.

Edited October 20, 2005 by Capaneus (log)

[Diann]

C'mon, do you you really think Philly would have a bar that fey?

←

I'm a girl. And I hover on the edge of yuppieness. So I like fey -- in bars, at least!

[herbacidal]

So effete and fey are synonyms?

I think that would be a good business idea for Katie.

I can think of a business structure that might work out well too.

Hmm, I'll have to talk to Katie about that.

[stephenc]

So effete and fey are synonyms?

Not really, but I think 'fey' and 'effeminate' are pretty synonymous.

[Capaneus]

So effete and fey are synonyms?

Not really, but I think 'fey' and 'effeminate' are pretty synonymous.

←

Huh. Nah. None of the three are quite synonymous, though there is overlap. If anything, "effete" and "effeminate" come closest.

And none of them are particularly Philadelphian, Mummers aside.

[philadining]

And none of them are particularly Philadelphian, Mummers aside.

←

Oh man, I hope you stay inside on New Year's Day...

[KatieLoeb]

Aside from my future endeavor of opening Philadelphia's first "Fey Bar", can we try and keep this on topic?

Thanks. Carry on...

[Mummer]

I'm familiar with both Mummers and classy bars.

The former aren't a market for the the latter, altho' there are exceptions.

Despite our "suits," Mummers are neither effete nor effeminate. Fey, possibly -"...otherworldly, magical, or fairylike aspect or quality," per dictionary.com.

Philadelphia's very high priced bars are at fancy restaurants and clubs. I'm unaware of any that are distintuished for their cocktails, but that's not my sandbox.

This is supported by the previously listed establishments on this thread. Doc's Happy Rooster qualified, but he's gone.

I dunno if Philly would embrace a classy cocktail bar. Katie's much better qualified to consider that.

[jmbrightman]

I'm familiar with both Mummers and classy bars.

The former aren't a market for the the latter, altho' there are exceptions.

Despite our "suits," Mummers are neither effete nor effeminate.  Fey, possibly -"...otherworldly, magical, or fairylike aspect or quality," per dictionary.com.

Philadelphia's very high priced bars are at fancy restaurants and clubs.  I'm unaware of any that are distintuished for their cocktails, but that's not my sandbox.

This is supported by the previously listed establishments on this thread.  Doc's Happy Rooster qualified, but he's gone.

I dunno if Philly would embrace a classy cocktail bar.  Katie's much better qualified to consider that.

←

would Mahogany above Holt's on Walnut St. qualify as classy? They have a nice selection of single malts and cigars on the menu, and the food is pretty good. I don't drink mixed drinks (unless you count a dirty vodka martini as a mixed drink), so I can't help with signature cocktails.

[MarketStEl]

Aside from my future endeavor of opening Philadelphia's first "Fey Bar"

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Even the gay bars in Philly are fairly middle-of-the-road; most of them feel like neighborhood watering holes.

That was prior to the opening of Bump, though. If the dance floor makeover is a premonition of things to come, Tavern on Camac is headed in Bump's direction.

Still, neither of these are anywhere near that place in New York that started this thread.

[stephenc]

Haha.

Fey bars.