National Mechanics Bar and Restaurant

We had a great time here, in this old building that survived fires and bank runs. The bartender was really cool and drinks just fine. This was once a bank who was originally built for the "mechanics" (skilled laborers and craftsmen) of Philadelphia. In the 19th century, banks were often exclusive to the elite, but this one was intended for the people who actually built the city. Fun fact: between its life as a bank and its current life as a bar, the building served as the Norwegian Seamen's Church starting in 1930

I was in town for work and ended up coming to National Mechanics Bar & Grill two days in a row — that’s how good it was. The entire experience was incredible from start to finish. The vibe is legit: cozy, cool, and full of character. Our server was amazing, offered great recommendations, and really added to the experience. Food-wise, everything we tried was outstanding. My colleague had the mushroom empanadas and couldn’t stop talking about them. I ordered the pulled pork sandwich and the tomato soup, and both were absolutely delicious — flavorful, comforting, and clearly made with care. If you’re in Philly and want a spot that nails both atmosphere and food, this is it. Already looking forward to coming back next time I’m in town!

The fact it used to be a bank and church drew us here. The atmosphere was very cool and laid back. It was very busy, but we were seated as soon as we arrived. Our server was great, didn't catch his name, but he had an old school Zelda shirt on. The food was top notch. I had a patty melt. The husband had a grilled cheese. Our sons both had Cesar salads and our daughter ordered the bucket of chicken which came with fries and coleslaw. My husband also ordered a spiked palmer and our daughter a mock mule. Everything as I said was great! Prices were comparable to other bars in the area. Would definitely go back if ever in Philly again.

What a happy accident! In town for the weekend, and happened upon this gem. We had brunch. Victoria was our server, and she was fantastic! The food was delicious! If you haven’t been, make a point to check it out!!!

It has a really need eclectic atmosphere. Menu has solid options. The hamburger and the fried chicken are real standouts. For alcoholic beverages, they offer a deep list of beers on tap and liquor.

Tried the patty melt and the smash burger — the smash burger definitely won. It was juicy, and the potato roll took it to a different level. I had the patty melt a couple of hours later, so my review on it might not be completely fair, but overall I wasn’t too impressed. I would give 4.5 stars if i could

Came here with family and was not disappointed! I got the popcorn chicken and was very pleased with how well the portions are and how fresh both the meat and vegetables were. I also recommend their fries, as I stole some from an individual at my table and was very impressed! The building itself has a lot to look at along with its interesting style of the church pew style of seating; there appears to be different areas for large groups so I would assume they’re good with seating arrangements!

Great local bar. Atmosphere was awesome and the drinks were good. We did not get food but everyone around us said their food was great! Quick service. Shout out to Carmelo - made a fantastic Irish Coffee for us, served quick, checked on us frequently, and was excellent with the recommendations for the next stop! 😇 cheers Carmelo!

Really fun place in historic district. Architecture is cool and location was great! The nachos were yummy, they had drink specials, and also had different entertainment depending on the night. Bar service was really nice and gave info on the building. They also told us about a ghost tour and dancing. Would go again and went twice while there.

This was a fun quirky find as we were dodging the rain leaving the Museum of the American Revolution. It was a great stop for lunch. The food was good, and the staff were very friendly. I had the tomato soup and grilled cheese and it was a good fit for that cold wet day. I think it's really more of a bar scene so it's probably a whole different vibe at night.

I'm sitting in a historic building, built in 1837, drinking a Bloody Mary with a huge smile on my face. Mike ordered an Italian Roast Pork sandwich with spinach, garlic and provolone cheese. I ordered the Poutine - French Fries with cheese curds and extra gravy. See photo attached. I know, right? Service is seriously experienced. 5 stars!

We attempted to visit yesterday, but an event had the whole restaurant so we returned today to try out their food/drinks. We made a reservation online and we found they even put a reserved plaque on a table for us. The food is good, the server was friendly, and the atmosphere is a standard bar with some food. I'm not a drinker so bars even with food aren't always my first choice. They did have decent Happy Hour options (M-F from 5-7pm). I really enjoyed the chicken and cheese quesadilla. It was surprisingly yummy. The chicken bites and fries were pretty good also. It was loud for my taste, but it is a social gathering place so I understand I'm the minority on that. haha It would be nice to hear the other people at my table though. Overall we enjoyed our visit. Thanks!

Came here after seeing a play... Made reservations in advance - we arrived early and were seated immediately. The feel of the place is a little eclectic and divey - I saw a brass shoe/boot on the entrance of the restaurant and some of the windows have stained glass designs. Regarding service, our waitress seemed a tad rushed but she was attentive... I ordered the Ribeye cheesesteak, my friend ordered the shrimp and fries and we split an order of honey garlic wings. Everything that I ate - I tasted everything except the fries - was really good. The food was well seasoned and the shrimp, cheesesteak and chicken was cooked perfectly and was very tender. I did have a side salad with my cheesesteak instead of fries - I was a little shocked by the way the salad looked (I thought maybe it would be a mixed field greens salad but it was iceberg lettuce with diced tomato and thinly sliced onion) - it wasn't bad, just wasn't what I imagined it would be. Overall we had a good experience; if I'm in the area again and looking for something quick and good, I'd definitely return.

7/5/24 Cool authentic architecture and atmosphere. Food was good. Shaved Rib Eye Nachos were great. Drinks were average. Service was horrible - might have been better if the bartender/server Yadira, wasn't at the bar doing shots with customers. Blatantly ignored the tables once she took the order. Questionable sanitary practices making drinks - scooping ice with glassware - broke a glass in ice well. Previous visit on 7/2/24 had a totally different experience when we stopped in for drinks only.

Super good food! Came here while visiting w my family and got the mexican burger, it was amazing! Not very spicy but I added hot sauce of course, had a whole variety to choose from. My cousin got the nachos and they were huge! super tasty and filling. Great cocktails as well. Service was great, just two people but they handled it well. Good spot to check out!

Went for karaoke but got so much more. Very spacious and set up well for karaoke. Like it was a good crowd but it was night to not feel like sardines. Service was pretty good considering how busy it was. Server definitely acknowledged how busy they were and thanked us for our patience- although once they caught up it was fine. I think they were just feeling frazzled. So good karaoke. Great crowd. Here's what I did not expect- the food was really really good. Like really good. It's wasn't anything out of the ordinary for a bar but it was just done really well.

The Bavarian pretzel is to die for with the beer cheese!!! It is probably the best pretzel I have had in the city and the Roast Pork was delicious as well. Service was good, the bus boys are very attentive as well refilling waters.

Delicious food and great service. Former bank building gives a great aesthetic. I brought my family here after visiting the Camden Aquarium and I will return when in the area.

Friday late lunch in feb, so definitely low eb on traffic. Great bartender, friendly service. Beer prices reasonable. The French onion soup and fried pickled green beans were both off the hook good. Enjoyable- worthy of a return visit.

Listen, I don't know about you, but when I'm searching for a plant-based burger, I'm not necessarily thinking "historic bank-turned-factory-turned-garage-turned-bordello." But let me tell you, National Mechanics is the kind of place that defies expectations. Walking in, I was immediately struck by the building's rich history. It's like stepping into a time machine, except instead of going back in time, you're going back in time with a really awesome bar and restaurant. The servers were fantastic and attentive. I was searching for a vegan burger and the front desk clerk where I was staying at recommended National Mechanics. I was a little skeptical at first - I mean, this place has been through more changes than Madonna's wardrobe - but I decided to give it a try. But let's get down to the important stuff: the food. The plant-based burger was flavorful, and had just the right amount of char on the outside. I could practically taste the history in every bite. All in all, National Mechanics is a must-visit spot in Philly. Whether you're a history buff, a burger lover, or just someone who likes to drink in places with interesting pasts, this place has something for everyone. Five stars and two thumbs up!

Had a great bartender for my 50th, which made my Philly experience great. Good people, food and atmosphere!!!!!!!!!!

National Mechanics has a very lively bar for Happy Hour. I grabbed the last seat at the bar on my visit. The happy hour menu is one of the best, with good food & drink choices and good portions. My mouth started watering just watching the food coming from the kitchen. I started out with a spiked raspberry arnold palmer. A pretty, tasty, and strong vodka drink. I ended up having more than one. For food, I started with the quesadilla. It came out right away and was full of what I would call cheesy goodness. I followed that up with a burger. A double smash patty with bacon and cheese on a brioche bun. A neighbor of mine declared it's the best burger in the city last time I saw him. I can only go so far as saying it's the best smash burger in the city. It's juicier than any smash burger I've ever had, but not as juicy as a few other thicker burgers in the city. The burger is complemented perfectly by the cheese, bacon and sauce. And the fries it comes with are delicious too. The bartenders are friendly and keep the drinks flowing. People are friendly at the bar. National Mechanics is a five star happy hour. I'm glad I live close by!

Loved this old historic restaurant. The entrance is so iconic. Had some good pub food here, would maybe avoid getting a salad here, but other than that all the food we had was great! Definitely love the Pattie melt and fries. The service was good as always.

Came here with a party of 9 just after Sunday brunch ended and the place was pretty barren so easy to get a table for us all. Waitress was really nice and very attentive to us! I ordered an Irish Coffee which had a surprising amount of whipped cream, but honestly it infused the liquor really well so this tasted really good! Definitely got the caffeine kick I needed. For my meal, I ordered the World Famous Veggie Burger which I was really skeptical about because of "World Famous" and the fact there was broccoli in the burger. To my surprise, it was good; flavorful. The broccoli may have actually been my favorite part of it! I'd consider ordering it again, but what my friends ordered also looked pretty good so I may be swayed to something else. We all left feeling satisfied and happy with our meals

Friendly staff and great selection of beers! The menu is fantastic. We sat at the bar and had great interactions with the bar staff

Very cool spot! Great food and atmosphere. I've only been here for late night drinks before and always loved it but decided to try out the food too. We went for brunch and we're all very happy with our choices. The Bloody Mary bar was really cool. I'm normally not a fan of bloodys but tasted my moms and ended up ordering one of my own. The French toast was very good with a nice assortment of toppings. The eggs were good but just classic eggs with bacon and toast; nothing too special. My friend said the veggie burger with the egg was delicious as well.

Bar restaurant with a cozy setup. Booths look like old pews or bank benches. Prices were a bit steep, but the food has great flavor and the service was wonderful. Very friendly bartenders and staff, who loved my children dancing in the restaurant. I recommend the National Wings with buffalo; spicy but flavorful.

On my first ever visit to Philidelphia, I chose to try this place (the nachos looked good on the online menu). When I walked in, the place had an intriguing atmosphere. It was self seating - I didn't see the menus on the table, and the server noticed, so, he grabbed me one and brought over a water, before I even requested anything! I ordered the Nachos with the spicy (not hot, just flavored with spices) chicken - it was So good and the bowl was suitable for 2 or more to enjoy. The plating was intriguing! It was Delicious! While I was eating, the server made me feel welcome, joking that I wasn't the Only one who didn't notice the menus (another party that came in missed them, too!). I returned afew days later with my husband, had to show him some of the city and have him try the nachos - we both Inhaled them! Despite a Large party being there, the server came right over with waters, got our order and had it brought out quickly. We were impressed with the service, despite the large party. I Highly reccomend this place! Try the nachos!! The giant pretzels look delicious, too!​

I came here for Sunday brunch with a few friends. At 10:30am, we had no problems getting a table, but by the time we left at 12, there were no seats. I had the French onion soup. The broth tasted good; the bread and cheese on top was just okay. My boyfriend had the chicken and waffles, which tasted good, but both components were a little tough. Overall, the food and service are alright. The ambiance is nice, as are the drinks!

Love the vibes of this place. It's in an old church and has some funky decor. Bartenders were super friendly and knowledgeable. I ordered a beer on tap based on the name. The bartender explained it was a sour and gave me a taste before buying a full pour. As someone who is not crazy for sours, I really appreciated that he gave me the chance to try it rather than get a full glass of something I wouldn't like. They gave great recommendations for beer based on my taste. The one downside is almost (if not all) their taps were local or craft beers. This is not the place to go if you want your typical domestics. The food was surprisingly great for bar food and reasonably priced. I loved the Mac and cheese. It was deliciously cheesy. I can't wait to come back to this place!

Love the outside historical look for starters, never would have guessed it was a hidden gem of a bar! Absolutely amazing service and even better cocktails. Devin was our main server and cannot say enough good things about him!

Was attracted here by the name. Turned out to be a cool spot tucked inside of a museum liked store front. Price is fair. Typical bar food for a non-pretentious hangout.

If you want like, a really dingy, super sticky, working barn atmosphere while you eat then this is the place for you. AFTER we finished eating, my boyfriend horrifically pointed out that there was a MOUSE hiding underneath our table. If I could take away stars I would. When we told the bartender, he had to pretend not to be bothered by our concern, and urged me not to panic because "it's not like it's going to climb up your leg or something". Now is not the time for jokes dude, how are you not embarrassed beyond the confines of your mortal flesh? Contrary to his misogynistic warning, my panic was only for the sanitary conditions of that restaurant, and the employee's shocking lack of care for the cleanliness of their place of work. He didn't discount us shit either. Writing this review brings me no joy. I apologize to whomever is reliant on these reviews, I just wish that I had read this before I made the decision to eat here.

Cool spot, great service but the old fashioned our cut made was the best I've had in a while. I'd come back just for the cocktails

I really enjoyed the environment here, all of the staff were super welcoming and made sure we were well taken care of. The drink menu was great, lots of great liquor / spirits and draft options to choose from. The nachos were actually incredible. Coming from the west coast I was a little reserved but WOW! So good, finished every little bit. I also had the shrimp basket which was incredibly fresh! The breading on the shrimp was seasoned well and the house-made tartar sauce & cocktail sauce was so good. Plenty of shrimp and a large amount of fries. Definitely come with an appetite for the shrimp basket it. It's honestly a shareable size. Overall definitely a good experience here and would really like to go back.

Really solidly good. I have been here a bunch of times and wasn't blown away by the food but the tomato soup that comes with the grilled cheese is definitely a highlight. Great location and service.

I had a great experience here. My server was nice and even though there was a mistake in my order he very quickly corrected it and comped my bill which was very kind. The beer on tap was good and they have the best veggie burger that I have ever eaten. 10/10 recommend.

Great bar located in Old City with your standard set of bar food and drinks. Came in for happy hour on Friday right when it opened and would definitely come back! I know they were closed for a while, and glad they're back open. Atmosphere: Generally quite spacious with bar seating, high tables, and tables for larger groups. Overall quite relaxed and didn't feel too loud or crowded, though we left ~6:30pm. Waiters were very friendly and attentive! Food / Drinks: They have a great happy hour where you can get beers half off. Split fries, popcorn chicken, and their pork sandwich - I enjoyed the pork sandwich the most and appreciated how much pork they included! The fries and popcorn chicken were standard - nothing special, but solid bar food. Overall: 4/5 - it's a nice spot to relax with cheap drinks, and the food came out fast too! Nothing extraordinary, but would be back for happy hour for sure.

I'm very biased in my experience based on my order. The cocktails and the banana chips with guacamole are possibly the best I've ever had since moving from NYC. I went at random early times on the weekend and mid week, so I cannot speak for after happy hour or after dinnet.

Great Brunch menu. The bunch has extended hours. They have great sandwiches burgers and drink

Great happy hour! Nice beer selection and inexpensive bar food that can easily be a meal. They even had TMC on the TV. Love old movies! Visited 3-4 times on a two week visit to Old City.

Walking by and we decided to go in for Easter brunch. Decor is unique, food amazing, and Dorothy is so wonderful and friendly. Will definitely be back!

Found National Mechanics while in downtown Philadelphia. Loved the historic building. Great selections of beer including a local hazy for me. Split a Philly cheesesteak and we're satisfied. Giovante did a great job serving us.

This is an amazing bar to watch a game and have a good time with friends. Food is very good and service was great as well. I am coming back to watch more games at this place, need to eat again that chicken and that burger.

Solid wings and food. Solid drinks. Good specials. All around a nice time if you want to just unwind after the workday and don't feel like being an adult in that specific "cooking all of your own meals" kind of way. In the time of COVID, National Mechanics has really chilled out. Not in a bad way. It's kind of like the Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, if both of them just served alcohol and didn't try to murder you even a little bit. Still fun, good for bringing your little pandemic pod and having a couple of drinks out while having plenty of room to not catch a plague. To be clear, I'm talking about weeknight evenings. I haven't been here on a weekend during the slowpocalypse because I remember what National Mechanics used to be like - that is, very fun and only a little dangerous - and I can only theorize that it is now still fun but a lot more dangerous because of how airborne viruses work. Somehow I'd never reviewed this spot before. But, for reference, I thought of this spot as a 4-star "drink and dance more than you should" spot in the before times. Nowadays, it's still 4 stars, just in all the ways I tend to enjoy low-key Philly pubs.

great variety of food! best veggie/vegan burger I've ever had (and it's all veggies.....not bulked up with rice or beans!) the smash beef burger is awesome too! friendly service, fun atmosphere, great beer and drink selection.

Great place to grab a beer and eat some great food. Pretzel and chicken sandwich are a must order...seriously they were really, really good. Skip the porchetta sandwich I'd you are use to them being a bit crispy...pork here is almost like pulled pork, well flavored, but no crispness. Mac and cheese was good but not memorable. Happy dining

Food was good and close to the Revolutionary War Museum, Independence National Historical Park, and other historical sites/museums. It's more of a gastropub/bar and there isn't a kids menu. However, my nieces and nephew liked the grilled cheese sandwiches, Mac & Cheese, and quesadilla. I had the nachos under the appetizers and they were HUGE! Very tasty and I would go there again.

This was our first visit and we will definitely be back. Fantastic food and even better service. Liz is amazing and was fantastic with our daughter. The atmosphere is fun and comfortable. If you haven't been in yet we definitely recommend it! The national wings are a great start and the smash burger was perfect.

My husband and I came to National Mechanics for brunch in 2014 and loved it so much we brought our boys back for dinner in 2023. What a privilege, to eat at a great place and then share the experience with loved ones nearly a decade later. Excellent service. Good food. Thoughtful atmosphere. Great happy hour.

Knocking off a star because the one server they put on the weekends for brunch is the rudest, most abrasive person I've ever had as a waitress that made it stressful to try and enjoy lunch. She greeted us by saying "I have 6 tables so I'll get to you when I get to you." Then immediately walked away. After we received the wrong flavor of wings she came back to say "WELL I REPEATED IT BACK TO YOU SPECIFICALLY THATS NOT WHAT YOU SAID" she didnt, but regardless why argue with us? Taking time away from your other 6 tables to get defensive with customers is just weird. I felt bad for everyone that has to work with this lady. The host and food runners seem nice at least. I'm giving 4 stars after that terrible experience just because the smash burgers were 10/10 and the fries were amazing, and all 6 of us loved our meals and drinks. I honestly think I'll avoid weekend lunches here specifically because of that server which is unfortunate because we really loved the food.

Food here is top notch. I don't what they do to the bread but it's the best I've had in a while. Ordered the chicken sandwich and burger melt and both were great. The fries that came with both were absolutely delicious.

This spot is a MUST visit if you're looking for an authentic Philly experience. After dining at a sought after, highly rated restaurant, we were left unimpressed. On our way back to our hotel, we stumbled upon this gem. Cool history, vibe, and people. Thanks for the great time Devin and Yadi! #jonas

Was visiting from out of town and absolutely loved this place! Walked in here on a whim while wandering downtown, and was pleasantly surprised to have to show proof of vaccination... have not encountered that anywhere else. We came when they were just opening, so had the bar to ourselves for awhile. LOVE that they had a great dark beer on tap, and all of the staff was fun to talk to. Not to mention, the building is absolutely gorgeous and the history behind it makes it extra fun. And omg the veggie burger. I always seek out a wonderful veggie burger that doesn't come frozen in a box, and National Mechanics truly delivered. It was pure veggies, and you could still make out what all of the veggies were. Not even a vegetarian, but this was a true delight! So glad I stopped in here, and I highly recommend it to everyone!

Can't beat half off draft beers for happy hour! The service was very nice as well. Not crowded on a Wednesday.

food- solid drinks- mediocre service- a little slow but they were busy and it looked like they only had one server. we would have stayed much longer but we were pushed out by the person who i am assuming was the manager. he cleared our plates and dropped a check without any prompting before we finished our drinks (we were going to order another round or two and even dessert) we felt like we weren't welcome after the sudden check and "have a nice night" i'm not sure i would come again. sad because it's a really cool space

The vibe in this place is so cool! We ordered some drinks and appetizers. Definitely worth a stop in to check out the joint.

Food was very good, so that's the main thing. Not cheap but a hearty portion. Nice setting and fairly crowded for an afternoon. Good selection of drinks. Service was lacking and inattentive.