Sassafras

Delicious tomato bisque, solid grilled cheese, flavorful portobello burger, and a well-made cucumber mocktail. Excellent service in a cozy atmosphere. Not my favorite fries (shoestring style), but they were still good. Would return!

I was happy I stopped by Sassafras to check out its charm as I was in Philly. I got there right around when it opened and was able to enjoy the ambiance and a few cocktails. Although the bartenders were clearly well seasoned in making cocktails, I was hoping for a little bit more from both of my drinks - they just seemed to be missing something that made them really stand out. Still was an enjoyable stop for a drink.

Sassafras in Old City, Philadelphia, offers a cozy, vintage atmosphere with a lot of charm, making it an inviting spot to unwind. The bartenders are friendly and the setting, with its dark wood and timeless feel, adds to the experience. While the drinks are decent, they don’t quite stand out compared to other cocktail bars in the city. It’s a good spot if you’re looking for a laid-back, nostalgic vibe, but the cocktails may not be the highlight.

The food was pretty good. Cocktail menu established and we're medium+ quality. Service couldn't have possibly wanted to be there. Never had someone be so standoffish. We had expected to go back a few nights but after that we decided to choose something else.

It absolutely pains me to leave this review because I want to gate keep this place so badly but I have no choice but to leave them 5 stars. These are the best cocktails in the city. The vibes are immaculate— and the staff? 10/10 service every single time (minus that time I tried to call to see if they did takeout.) They currently have a pornstar martini on special and no lie, it is the best in Philly and probably the second best I have had in the US. If you are having a hard time deciding between places, put the other one out of you mind and come here.

Had a lovely dinner for my adult daughter. Great place. Food is top notch. A casual kind of place. The wait staff was wonderful but not overly intrusive. An excellent limited menu with nice variety. My wife and daughter split the duck for two. Wonderful taste and presentation. Superb wine list and great craft cocktails. Prices were very reasonable for the quality of the food and service. Highly recommend.

Great place to have a tasty, swanky cocktail. Service and ambience meets the price point. Find a cozy spot or sit at the bar to chat with the local bartender. Fun to pick something off the menu, but service is very helpful if you’re struggling to choose. Restroom upstairs is eclectic and includes a couch.

Sassafras is Olde City Philadelphia all the way with the signature drinks. The waiters and waitresses are all dressed swanky and the food is delicious. The Menu changes with the times and still stays classic like Restaurant & Bar. Candlelit tables and all the old finishings in the whole place. This place is 1st class all the way and reasonably priced.

Yelper Timothy W. of Virginia claims Sassafras doesn't have any food-not even appetizers. I wonder where he actually went? While the place isn't going to win a Michelin star for comestibles, they serve appetizers as well as entrees. Many is the afternoon or evening where I have come and enjoyed good, basic food as well as well crafted drinks, served with panache and good humor. The burger is respectable and filling. If pierogies are ever on the menu, go for them as well. Here's the menu, Timothy W., should you ever deign to return to this allegedly foodless business. By the way, the drink prices are on par with other Center City bars and restaurants. Current Menu Appetizers Cheddar Curds Battered Wisconsin Cheddar Curds, Spicy Ranch Sauce $10 Chips & Dip House Made Onion Cheddar Crisps, Freshly Made Onion Dip $8 Soft Pretzel House Made Bavarian Style Soft Pretzel, Maldon Sea Salt & Everything Seasoning, Maple Dijon Mustard Sauce $4.75 Orange Firecracker Shrimp Chili Pepper Orange Glaze, Sesame Seeds On Radish Sprouts $13 Seasonal Salad Mixed Greens, Carrots, Shaved Red Onion, Fennel, Tomatoes, Sunburst Radish, Citronette Dressing - Add Grilled Chicken $7 - - Add Sirloin Patty $7 - $13.75 Large Bowl Of Fries Roasted Garlic Aioli $7.50 Bowl Of Homemade Tomato Bisque Roasted Tomato, Topped with Boursin $7.50 Irish Sausage Rolls House Made Pork Sausage, Baked in Puff Pastry with HP Sauce $11 Vegetable Spring Roll Vietnamese Style Fried Spring Roll Ginger Soy Dipping Sauce $11 Entrees Sassafras Burger Our Famous Sirloin Blend with Special Burger Dry Rub, Aged Cheddar, Thick Cut Bacon, Lettuce, Herb Roasted Tomatoes, Pickled Red Onion, On Brioche Roll Served with Fries or Salad $17 Pesto Chicken Sandwich Pesto Marinated, Melted Provolone, Romaine, Herb Roasted Tomato & Red Onion On Brioche Roll with Fries or Salad Served with Fries or Salad $16 Tavern Grilled Cheese Boursin, Sharp White Cheddar, Gouda, Fresh Tomato Served with Fries or Salad Add Bacon $3 - Add Cup of Bisque $4 $15 Big BLT Crispy Thick Cut Bacon, Romaine Lettuce, Herb Roasted Tomatoes, Roasted Garlic Mayonnaise On Toasted Sourdough, Fries or Salad $16 High Steaks Burger Grilled Sirloin Burger, HP Sauce, Caramelized Onions Sautéed Mushrooms & Blue Cheese, Lettuce Herb Roasted Tomato, Shaved Red Onion On A Brioche Roll, Fries or Salad $17 Famous Fried Chicken Buttermilk-Soaked Chicken Breast Deep Fried Ranch Style Coleslaw, Maple Dijon Lettuce, Roasted Tomatoes, Pickled Onion On Brioche, Fries or Salad $16.50

Generally great cocktails and decent pub food. Smoking bishop (mulled wine) cocktail was fantastic. The anise in it was a very nice touch, lending a sweet, slightly spicy licorice note to the drink. Summer in Manhattan (whiskey) was strong and good. Penicillin (scotch) was rather too sweet but good for those who like sweet drinks. Tavern grilled cheese sandwich was light and rather plain; I appreciated the tomato in it, which helped add a more contrasting flavor and texture to it. The accompanying fries were nicely crispy, and the roasted garlic aioli was really good, thick and creamy. The homemade ketchup was also great--slightly sweet and addictively salty. It was a busy Thursday night, and we sat at the bar. Service was great and quick.

Tasty cocktails. We visited Sassafras Bar on a Thursday night, and it was busy but there were tables available. The bar is dimly lit with genuine candles crackling merrily at each table. I tried the ambibulous and the sazerac. Both cocktails were tasty although the sazerac was a bit sweeter than I prefer. Overall, I had a nice time at Sassafras Bar and would highly recommend them for cocktails in Old City Philadelphia.

Stopped in to kill time and I'm glad we did. Only had drinks and they were delicious. Our waitress was nice and attentive. I love the vibes in here. You can tell it's a very old place and I'm sure it has much history, which made it feel authentic. The restroom is adorable and if my bathroom was this size, I'd do the same thing. I only gave three stars because we did not eat and didn't stay very long but I'll be sure to return.

We visited Sassafras on a Saturday night while in the area, looking to kill some time. Despite the small, packed space, our large party of 8 was seated immediately, which was a pleasant surprise. The bar has a fantastic atmosphere reminiscent of an old-timey prohibition-era spot, complete with classic bartender wardrobes and decor. The drinks were delicious, and the bartender, possibly named Mike, was outstanding. He crafted each drink with meticulous attention to detail yet remarkably quickly, managing to make three different cocktails in about two minutes. We shared some fries and wings, both of which were tasty, and the rest of the menu looked promising. Sassafras is highly recommended for an intimate date or pre-night-out drinks with friends.

One of those places you go and can't stop thinking about. Service was quick and attentive. The vibe was so cute and retro. The drinks were to die for. Would recommend to absolutely anyone and have been.

This place has an old world vibe that feels mostly authentic. The wood and stone on the bar alone are worth the trip. Bartenders in vests and bow ties -- old school. How are the drinks you say? Kept us there for a couple of hours on a chilly day. Negroni, martini, espresso martini, and Oaxaca Old Fashioned. I didn't even know Oaxaca had an old fashioned but the chocolate note was refreshing and not too sweet. The bartenders have a lot of knowledge, so feel free to delve beyond the drink menu. Or -- order a Paloma or French 75 if you want good but boring. Tater tots great too! (But those are hard to screw up).

Stopped in for afternoon drink and snack. Great little spot nice craft cocktail, try the Whiskey Fries you won't regret it.

Needed some late night eats in Old City and this place definitely hit the mark. Great pub atmosphere and you feel like you're back in the 1800s.

Lots of fun drinks! There's a whole space upstairs as well! Great bar in old city. Amazing service every time I have been.

We stopped in here after a day of walking around downtown Philly. We walked in right at 5pm when they were opening up on a Wednesday. The decor and atmosphere were very cute and chic! You could tell that this bar has been around for many years! You know that saying if these walls could talk? Well that's definitely the feeling that you get from this bar. We only stopped in for a drink or two so I'm not sure if they even offer any food. The drinks that we chose were very good! I had the French 95 first and that was different but very delicious. I then tried their old fashioned which was also delicious. The only reason why I gave this place 4 stars instead of 5 stars is because the first bartender we had wasn't very helpful for it being our first time there. Plus the place wasn't crowded at all and he was very nonchalant about everything. The second bartender that came in was very attentive and recommended some drinks to try. He also told us some history about the bar. So that was very appreciated!! Overall I would stop by here again for some drinks if I'm in town.

Sassafras was recommended to me and I got to give it a try on a weeknight while in Philly. I was told it was a very good cocktail bar and it definitely was. The bartenders mixed very nicely made and well presented cocktail. The music was a mix of jazz and other cool vibing music. They have live jazz so that would cool to see another time. Definitely worth checking out. :)

what a cute spot!!! the decor was very festive :) romantic and cozy but very lovely with friends too. a group of 6 boys were seated at the table next to us. i walked in with a friend on wednesday around dinner time. our server said to sit "wherever you're comfortable" which i loved. moscow mule is SO good. it is sweeter and the flavor has more depth than other versions of this drink that i've tried. it uses a vanilla vodka! topped with club soda instead of ginger beer but has ginger press. really lovely. makes me want to try their take on other classics. they have fresh flowers on almost every table and a little candle. there are mirrors everywhere and a fake fireplace with a candle set it in. def come by if you're in the area!

Expansive cocktail menu and nice space for a date night. The ambiance is solid but it's a little dark - majority of seating was high top chairs at the bar so keep that in mind if you go. Drinks were good but not worth the price.

Sassafras is an Old City establishment that embodies the "know who you are and execute flawlessly" motto. Something magical in the air here, and not just in the sexy bathroom! Walk in to a swanky yet still laid back atmosphere and crack open their menu, which is lovingly designed and clearly presented. I saw PALOMA in big bold face type and said "'nuff said." The ambient lighting and jazz guitar were the cherry on top of a great experience. I was there on a Sunday evening and it wasn't overly crowded. I didn't try any of the food items but the menu looks great. My paloma was spicy (big claps for the jalapeno infused simple) and bold. Serve staff and bartenders are fantastic, and I look forward to making this a regular stop any time I find myself in the neighborhood.

Honestly one of my favorite places to end the evening. The drinks are always phenomenal, and so creative. The bar service is amazing and the 'old timey charm' makes for a great atmosphere. I hadn't been back since pre-covid and was happy that all the comforts of the before times, are still just as strong today. I also want to shout out the hostess and bartenders working last night as several groups of people came in already intoxicated and they refused them service, as they should! Thank you for keeping the space safe and the patrons safe as well. I will continue to keep coming back to Sassafras!

What a fun place! Old school vibe, fun drinks with homemade syrups, and the server was lovely!

Always a good go-to spot. Great service and amazing menu of cocktails. Good bar food offered too. Fun ambiance. Place has a cool and classy vibe.

Absolutely stunning cocktails. We started the night at Sassafras on a first time visit to Philadelphia, and it was so good we came back after dinner! Best Aviation I've EVER had, (in L.A. OR Chicago), and their French Blonde cocktail was a surprising delight. Can't wait to visit again!

This is a spot that I'm hesitant to review because I want to keep it all to myself. But alas, I must share. What a beautiful, tiny, and surprising find. The spot has the right to be pretentious but is totally down to earth, the servers are warm and personable. Drinks are so creative and delicious from an extensive menu. Feel free to order a mocktail, just tell them what flavors you're looking for. Highly recommend the whiskey fries and the shrimp! Come Mondays for live jazz-you won't regret it.

Great little venue with an old world vibe. Such a kind and friendly bartender I had today. The drinks are very unique and still delicious. You don't see Pisco very often, and my Summer In Manhattan has opened my eyes to a new cocktail!

Great cocktails! Loved their dirty martini. My friend and I were able to grab a drink at the bar before we went to our dinner reservation. They have live music as well.

Stumbled upon this place as a recommendation from a tour guide in the area. Absolutely in love with the place from the classy intimate atmosphere to the service to the DRINKS. I hope we can get back here before we leave the area in a couple of days. Highly recommended.

The ambiance was very old world and unique. The service was amazing and the drinks were fun and also unique.

I love this place! It's been here forever and I've stopped in here more than a time or two over the years. It has very decent bar food but I love to come here to sit at the bar and order beautiful cocktails. The drinks are always on point and very well done and the place feels like a classy, elegant bar one might see in an old movie. It's a special spot. I hope it continues to last for a long, long time.

Some of the best cocktails in Philly! They have something for everyone and every drink I've tried in the multiple times I've been here has been amazing. The bartenders can also make a custom drink for you depending on your preferences. The quality is amazing for the price. Can't stress enough how tasty, well balanced, and gorgeous the drinks are from Sassafras! I've also had the pleasure of having some snacks here and I'm a big fan of the cheese curds (the best), fries, and the pretzel is good too. The bar is beautiful with a decent amount of seating (but this is overall a small spot). There are also tables in the back and along the side of the bar area. Whenever I've come with a small group we have been able to find seating, even on Friday or Saturday nights. On week nights, you will probably be able to snag a table for a larger group - I think the most I've been with is 6 people including myself. If you're in the area, don't skip grabbing a cocktail at Sassafras!

I was pleasantly surprised ! The bartender was extremely helpful and knowledgeable about the drinks. And the vibes are great too with a good old school charm. I would definitely go again, and happy to have found a great local spot!

Haven't tried the food yet but the ambience and vibe of this place is fantastic. Very cozy and great for a date night or a night out with a couple of friends. Very dimly light and intimate which I loved!

What a fabulous, historic find near Apple Hostel on a very rainy December night. Happy as a clam sitting at the bar, reading the latest installment of my favorite graphic novel series by the light of my phone, buffeted by the happy holiday hubbub. Had a superb martini and some mouthwatering smash burgers while soaking up the convivial atmosphere. My keys liked this place so much, they decided to extend their stay, falling unnoticed out of my wet parka's pocket when I flipped it lining side up on the barstool, so as to sit on the dry part. No biggie, except one of the keys to my NYC is a vintage number shaped like a bottlebrush that no hardware store can copy, and my building's mgt. company recently decided to refit all the common area keys with a universal electronic puck that they charge a fortune to replace. Called Sassafras around opening and Jennifer offered to mail em back, saying that the struggle is real. :) My thank you note is in the mail, along with the postal reimbursement she refused to accept by Venmo. I know where I'm headed next time I'm in Philly, even if I have to tie those dang keys to a shoestring round my neck.

Loved the cocktails, food, ambiance. Really nice place to grab a cocktail and listen to some classic vinyls. Very unique place and the service was amazing especially Myriam. She went above and beyond to make the experience great

While in Philly, this place is a must. The burger I ordered was huge! Well seasoned, and cooked to order. Service was so professional, bar tender crafted his drinks with serious care. To my luck, it was a great two man band playing live Jazz. Music to my ears. I love live Jazz.

Had a hot date at Sassafras Bar this past weekend and it did not disappoint in the slightest. The bar and dining area is intimate so be prepared to possibly wait a bit to be seated. Found a spot at the bar and had the coolest bartender ever. The drink menu is SUPERB. I fell in love with the Lavender Champagne and the bartenders were not light handed on the alcohol which is also pretty nice. The food (apps and entrée) was on point. More so bar food but enough for you to leave on a full stomach.

Looking for a late bite or drink? This place is open to 2am -- yes! I needed something for a late arrival into Philly, staying in the Old City part of town, and headed over with my boss for grub. Unfortunately, we just missed out on some live jazz -- but what a cool place! Very dark lighting, long bar, and tables in the back. Bring it on. Sipping on a glass of Guinness, I ordered a Famous Fried Chicken sandwich -- wow. Perhaps the best I've ever had. Coleslaw, maple dijon sauce, lettuce, roasted tomatoes, pickled onion and served on a delicious and soft brioche bun. Could've got fries (tried the boss's, mmmmm), but the salad was a great touch. [$16.50, 5.0 stars] Love the place. Love the food. Nice service. Winner!

This place has some of the best cocktails in Philly. It's pretty small so I would recommend keeping this to a date night or a small group (max four people). Their menu is separated by spirit, which shows how legit their drinks are. They're open late and usually have just one server + bartenders. I usually come after dinner somewhere in old city, but I need to try their food! They make a great pisco sour, one of my favorite drinks, but everything else from an aviation, corpse reviver and Mexican firing squad is top notch.

Mood, decor, service, food and drinks were excellent. It's a small impeccably restored space with ironic prohibition vibes--very cool! Waitstaff was friendly and came in clutch with spot on recommendations: smash burger with American subbed for Cheddar was mind blowing. The house made pickles were chefs kiss which is kind of my jam with burgers! Another sub for Caesar salad in lieu of fries since my team mate order the fries as an app--crispy, salty, tater delights. Lavender champagne cocktail kind of blew my mind. Perhaps a little too mind blowing as I left my wallet and the team tucked it away for me the next day. Team Sassfrass for the win!

Ambiance, service, and drinks, oh my! Met a girlfriend for a drink before dinner, and we loved the vibes. After running a few minutes late, I quickly picked a drink, overlooking a spicy ingredient. They not only remade my drink, but could not have been kinder about doing so, and truly made me feel like it was a pleasure to get exactly what I wanted. It was quite dark and the acoustics made it loud; we loved this, but want to acknowledge because I know it's not for everyone. This is low lights, candlelight, fireplace, good drinks, good service vibes! We had a great time and look forward to coming back!

Tried all the sours (egg whites). Pisco sour was my favorite since it had a flavor of fruitiness without being sweet. Slow gin fizz had a tartness to it that was almost fruity but not. Whiskey sour tasted like sour whiskey as expected. Service was nicely balanced between friendly, funny, and giving me privacy/space. Bathrooms were nice and clean but why was there a fabric couch in the 2nd floor one??? Sus germs...

Talented bartenders with a very creative cocktail menu. I'd have gone with 5 stars if the acoustics were a bit better. I like to be able to hear my wife when she's sitting across the table from me!

They don't know it yet, but I have a scheme to make the folks at Sassafras Bar my friends. Great cocktails, good food (love their fries), and live jazz. What's not to love? It's a cozy respite from the other, more tourist-y places in Old City. I want it to be my default spot when we say, "Let's get a drink or dinner near home tonight." Service is excellent. Staff work together to make sure that everyone is taken care of. Our water glasses were never empty. They also know their way around a cocktail. They've got good wine and beer, but if you like a good cocktail I'd highly recommend you order one when you stop here. Food was good too. The burger was good. My husband's chicken sandwich was a hit. And the fries were really, really good. So glad I didn't make the "healthier" choice and get a salad instead. But since I hope to be back often, I might need to choose the salad from time to time. I'll report back on that. Another thing I liked: paying is easy. The check has tip suggestions (They do the math for you--after a few drinks I do appreciate that. Don't judge.) and a QR code so you can pay online with your phone. That's a pandemic thing that I hope sticks around. I paid without additional paper, which I like. Add live jazz music and the fact that it's a short walk from home, and you've got a combination that makes Sassafras my favorite Old City bar.

What a gem! Excellent cocktails, delicious food, kind staff, and cozy interior... definitely exceeded my expectations. Would definitely come back to check out the different cocktails on the menu (and mulled wine in the winter). Perfect stop if you're visiting the Liberty Bell/Independence Hall etc. You must try their ketchup and aioli dip with your French fries!

A gem!!! Love the music, food and ambience. Jazz, French 74s and a smash burger makes the cypher complete 10/10 fasure!!!

Stopped by Sassafras Bar twice during our visit to Philadelphia and stay in Old City. Really enjoyed the non-trendy cocktail bar vibe. Tile walls and floor. Cozy space with a few outdoor tables and great old fashion bar. We tried a variety of cocktail menu items with gin, tequila and bourbon. All were quite tasty. While they have dinner items, we just shared a chips & dip appetizer. To make it more enjoyable, Jen, our wait person, was fantastic. Great guidance on the drink selection. If we were local, we'd be regulars!

There is virtually no food, don't come expecting appetizers. Atmosphere is cool, but the servers don't seem to be in a hurry and the prices are high.

Sassafras is a really cute bar and I'm glad we stopped in. Our bartender, Danny was super engaging, made great cocktails, and had great recommendations on things to see around town. This is a place we'd definitely recommend to those in the area.

Myriam was amazing! We came from Long Island and was greeted with live jazz, such a treat! Will be coming back!

Every time I come here I just love to watch the bartenders do their magic. I feel like I step back into the 1920s when I come here. If you are looking for an old concoction of something newer this is the place to come. Sunday night jazz bands are really awesome.

I wandered across this bar and decided to grab a quick drink with a friend. Stepping inside, I loved the vibe. It's definitely on the darker side with an intimate energy (smaller place, smooth jazz playing in the background). The server was attentive and the drinks were good too. I do wish that the lavender in the Bees Knees was a little more detectable, but it was still a very good drink! I'd definitely come back for a drink or a date again. (Also, i love the name)

Came here with friends for a nice meal and to catch up over some cocktails. Was immediately blown away by the live jazz music and speakeasy like vibes from the restaurant. Everything from the service, to the drinks, to the food was an overall 10/10. Every restaurant needs a server like Myriam. She was beyond knowledgeable about the menu and treated us like family. Will definitely be telling all my friends to check this place out!

I wanted to go to spruce street harbor park after my birthday dinner but it was raining- so this was my second choice. I liked the dark atmosphere it was very relaxing . It was crowded but we managed to snag a seat at the bar. The bartender was very focused and precise when making the cocktails. The cocktails were very good. There wasn't any cocktail that was really out of the ordinary , most of them were pretty much well known drinks. I like getting some drinks with random ingredients I never heard of or seen in a drink before. But overall we enjoyed the place.