Craftsman Row Saloon
American restaurant · Washington Square West
112 S 8th St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Highlights
Festive decor, unique burgers, and over-the-top milkshakes.
Festive decor, unique burgers, and over-the-top milkshakes.
"Whether you like it or not, this is Philly’s hottest club right now. The first time we tried to go to Craftsman Row Saloon in Center City, we were turned away for not having a reservation (and it's hard to get one). They’re serving 13 holiday-themed cocktails, including a shockingly drinkable cranberry margarita, as well as milkshakes that look like they were designed by Buddy The Elf. If you’re the kind of person who wishes it was Christmas 365 days a year, come here to live out your Santa fantasies and sit in a pine cone-lined booth while everyone sings along to Ariana Grande Christmas bops." - candis mclean
"Unapologetically Christmas and unforgettably festive, this downtown Philadelphia saloon’s Holiday Wonderland Christmas Pop-Up looks like a scene from How the Grinch Stole Christmas — the walls are draped with colorful ornaments, piney wreaths, shiny wrapping paper, and bright tree lights. According to brother/sister owner duo George Tsiouris and Vasiliki Tsiouris Balis, this year they’ve added 3,000 more lights, 500 more Christmas tree ornaments, 20 more Christmas trees, 1,000 more hanging ornaments, 300 more feet of fabric, 500 more feet of garland — and more elves on shelves. The bar menu matches the bold, eccentric decor: expect gingerbread margaritas with spiced rims and a massive "All I Want for Christmas" eggnog milkshake that feels like you’re drinking an edible stocking stuffer. The food is equally adventurous, with a dynamic menu that includes a Christmas Dinner Burger with patties topped with stuffing, cranberry sauce, and sweet potato fries. The writer/photographer Caean Coutois recalls first visiting during the pandemic and thinking it might be a marketing spectacle destined to be boom-and-bust; years later, they say it’s arguably one of the most charming things they look forward to as the weather gets colder, and that the venue’s audacity to outlandishly promote joy during a time when many people need it makes it feel more than just another loud Christmas bar — a symbol of being happy out loud during the holidays." - Ernest Owens
"The gigantic sandwiches and entrees at this saloon in Center City may be hard to devour in one sitting. Its salmon BLT is no joke, featuring a Philly favorite, Sarcone’s long roll, a wild-caught salmon filet, and pesto mayo." - George Banks-Weston
"The kitschy restaurant near Jeweler’s Row is notorious for its larger-than-life burgers and sandwiches. The milkshakes live up to this reputation, packed with treasured Philly sweets, like the Brotherly Love milkshake (made with Hershey’s chocolate, peanut butter chews, Tastykake pieces, and a pretzel stick)." - George Banks-Weston
"Craftsman Row Saloon looks like a normal dive bar. But instead of serving a forgettable burger, this place makes a seriously stacked version with two quarter-pound smashed patties. It's a little greasy, in a good way. Melty american cheese covers patties, but the real star is the fluffy and challah-like potato bun. Pair it with any of the beers on their long list while watching your sports team let you down. " - Candis Mclean, Alison Kessler
