Poison Heart
Bar · West Poplar
931 Spring Garden St, Philadelphia, PA 19123
Highlights
Creative cocktails, punk spirit, and tasty snacks like oysters
Creative cocktails, punk spirit, and tasty snacks like oysters
"It’s rare that you find waffle fries, still covered in earthy strips of potato skin, begging to be dipped in its american wiz sidekick. Almost as rare as a bar that feels like an '80s pop-punk band got a hold of a dark room and filled it with neon lights, rum cocktails, and free, herbes de provence-covered popcorn. But Poison Heart is just that special." - alison kessler
"Poison Heart's opening was a necessary addition to the Philly experience, like seeing the Boner 4ever building or watching the musicians outside of RTM. This is officially the best place to get a drink after a show on Spring Garden. It feels like an '80s pop-punk band got a hold of a dark room and filled it with glowing neon lights, rum cocktails, and free, herbs de Provence-covered popcorn." - candis mclean
"Owned by Andrea Ulsh, her Spring Garden bar is known for its moody atmosphere, killer music playlist with deep punk cuts, creative drinks, and a staff that always looks cool, even under its dark lighting. Located across the street from Union Transfer and marked inside by a hot pink neon cherry, the bar has a reputation for collaborations—Ulsh often invites a rotating roster of restaurateurs to take over the menu—and for experimenting to build community. With social media manager Alli DelGrippo of Dearest Media, Ulsh launched a joint rewards program with a nearby brooding spot: a two-sided punch card themed for the two spaces. After a night under the stained glass skull art at the partner bar, or perhaps under the hot pink neon cherry here, customers’ cards are punched once for each beverage consumed; after ten punches, the 11th drink is free, saving you about $14. The cards have one pink side, one purple side, lots of skull and heart icons, are no larger than a standard-issue business card, and can fit in most wallets during a night out. "We wanted something tangible, fun, and incentivizing to create some excitement," she says. The reception online and in the bars has been so positive that she’s had to refill her stock of punch cards, though no one has redeemed a free drink yet. "Community is what holds this industry together; what’s good for Doom is good for us," Ulsh says." - Annemarie Dooling
"For just a $10 cover, you'll get a glass of Crémant at midnight and the guarantee you'll hear goth, death rock, and post punk all night at this Callowhill bar. Doors open at 8pm, there will be a shot luge, and you can buy small snacks like oysters and fried olives between head banging." - candis mclean
"It’s fitting that this bar has a name that sounds like an old rock band with a massive hairspray budget, because it’s the best place to get a drink after a show in Spring Garden. It feels like an '80s pop-punk band got a hold of a dark room and filled it with glowing neon lights, rum cocktails, and free herbs de provence-spiced popcorn. Fluorescent setup aside, it’s a fun place to grab creative blends—like a sweet coffee negroni milk punch—that you never knew existed, but are grateful that they do. " - candis mclean
