The Franklin Mortgage & Investment Company

We celebrated my birthday here and while they didn't make it a big deal they did provide us with a beautiful private space. We had our daughter in a stroller (we are those people) and they accommodated us better than we could have hoped for. Thank you to them for this! Service was a little slow on a Saturday, but not a problem. All the drinks were unique and tasted awesome. We would definitely recommend it.

Fever dream of a cocktail bar. Found a used air fryer underneath the table and various wait staff passing by saying odd things throughout the hour or two there. Good drinks though.

Must go to if your in the city. Reservations recommended. Drinks were great and so were the bar apps.

Average small dark speak easy. It’s cute but not spectacular. Unique and attached to our boutique hotel and had to try. Would say if you’re in the area- why not but wouldn’t go out of my way for sure.

I came here a year ago with some friends and had a lovely evening. When I was visiting Philly last weekend I was excited to bring some friends here but our experience was really lackluster. We got stuck in a back room with only one other group in the room. The room had 0 ambience. The lights were all on, there was no music. It looked like a place you would have breakfast at the hotel! We asked if we could be moved to the bar and they said they were full but they would put the music on for us…the music kept cutting out when they did put it on, and the volume was all wonky. In my opinion, ambience is HUGE if you are asking me to pay $20 for a cocktail. I’m expecting a whole experience and this was far from it. I felt we were really not treated well and it would’ve been more respectful to just turn us away. I felt they were trying to get our money while delivering none of the ambience and service expected for such a pricey (albeit delicious!) cocktails. I’ll def think twice about trying to come back again.

We felt lucky to stumble upon this speakeasy vibes bar under the hotel. The cocktails were HIGHLY creative and the staff was the best. Recommend the Funky “adult YooHoo” rum cocktail served in a milk carton glass. Also really enjoyed the Make Me an Angel and the Salary Man. Would return again if we weren’t from Chicago.

Loved this place! Everyone was so friendly and the drinks were great! We also got the cheese board which was delicious. I got a mojito (pictured) and a Wheelhouse - both were great.

We had a big group and had a great time and great drinks. The servers were great and the host was also worthy of a shout out. The popcorn was exactly what we wanted.

Absolutely loved this speakeasy - right from the friendly servers to the super fun and interesting cocktails. I got the bell's revenge and this was super interesting- spicy and tangy and served upfront in an actual bell pepper! My family also loved their drinks - which were the wheelhouse and issa vibe and would 100% recommend going here. However, walking in without a reservation seemed almost impossible so would suggest getting one before you go.

The bartenders here are so lovely and clearly very passionate about what they do. The menu rotates frequently, but you'll never have a bad drink here. The ambiance and service are top tier. The drinks are delicious - so much so that they were able to make me a whiskey based drink and I liked it (I'm not typically a fan of whiskey). It gets pretty crowded on the weekends, make a reservation if you can, although we prefer to sit at the bar because we really enjoy the company of the bartenders. If you're looking for a great cocktail this is the place to go.

This was a fun place to come to! It's inside a hotel, when we walked inside we were a little confused. We asked if this is where the bar was and they walked us through a door which led to a spacious bar. Speakeasy vibes. Great spot for a date night! Some people were dressed somewhat casually, some others were dressed in a tux and a dress. Really interesting and unique cocktails. I started with the Self-Made Monster which I absolutely loved. Light tasting notes of persimmon and almond; it's boozy yet smooth. My boyfriend got the Bell's Revenge, which was served in a pepper! It had a strong mezcal flavor if you're into that (we don't love that so he got another drink). My second drink was Issa Vibe which was like a boozy coconut water. I love anything coconut but this was just eh to me. Easy drinking but it wasn't exciting. Maybe if they made it a sparkling drink it would be better. I liked my first drink far more. Fun spot!

A snowy Monday lead me and my date, celebrating a birthday, to this special occasion spot for pre-dinner cocktails. Neither of us had been and were both super impressed by the decor and menu selection. We were the only two people in the place aside from the bartenders, which isn't shocking given that it was a Monday, early, snowy, and January is notoriously slower for establishments like this anyways. We missed out on the more *convivial* vibes for sure, but this still felt special and we had a great time. My first cocktail was...a miss. But it was an amazing cocktail! But I didn't super enjoy it. But I think I misordered. I went with "Best Served Cold 2.0" due to the fact that it sounded insane (smoked salmon-infused gin, vermouth, aquavit, dill, pickled red onion caviar). And it was insane! You sip sip the very strong cocktail then slurp slurp the caviar. I am simply not that adventurous I suppose. Also, when will I stop ordering vermouth? The pickled "caviar" is amazing. I sat in envy as my date sipped his incredible rum punch. For my next round, I went with a French 75 which I enjoyed a LOT. Overall, this is a great spot. I would have appreciated a little more variety on the menu (not one vodka cocktail) and, while I know this is the most expensive cocktail bar in the city, it is still hard for me to swallow ~$25 cocktails. I'll be back to take out of town guests and for special occasions! Love having this fab hideout in the neighborhood.

Don't let the name fool you--you're not stepping into a bank or financial institution. Instead, you're entering a cocktail bars. Very speakeasy, Prohibition-era charm with modern mixology. One standout feature is the bar's signature large ice cube, which makes an immediate impression and keeps your drink perfectly chilled without diluting its flavors. Perfect for my old fashioned.

Oh, this isn't fair that this place closed for a bit, opened at a new location, and then hangs onto the old reviews... At one point this was our favorite place, then we slowly stuck around to watch it die... But the new location is fantastic! Innovative bartenders, great service, great drinks... Went twice in one night once... Giving this update since my last review reflects on the bad days...

Cool spot! Even knowing ahead of time that it's a speakeasy, there were a couple minutes where we were questioning whether we were at the right location based on how quiet the side street was where we entered the hotel that the bar is located in the back of (The Franklin). The drink I got, Waiting For The Sun To Rise, was a fun drink containing Aokage Shochu, Lustau Brandy, Drambuie, Strawberry, Lemon, and Vanilla and Saline. The phosphate sodas sounded a lot more interesting than they tasted, and I would probably pass on them next time. The piri-piri spiced popcorn hit the spot as a late night snack. The ambience was chill and quiet, granted it was close to closing. Would definitely return!

Just a little update! Took my sister back here last night for her bachelorette night out (we just did a fun girls night rather than a huge party). It was so much fun. Our whole group loved it! The drinks were delicious, and the servers we had were so sweet, they even brought us over shots to celebrate and toast to the bride, which just made the experience feel a little more special! Such a great experience and as always such a cool spot!

Great hidden little speakeasy. Fantastic cocktail menu with some interesting twists. Never thought about a salmon dill and onion drink but it absolutely worked!

Cutest spot tucked in rittenhouse! The drink selection was great as well as the service. I absolutely loved the You Can Never Tell!

I think I came here twelve years ago, and brought a group of friends here to check it out. We came on a Sunday night, and didn't have a reservation. The man at the concierge desk was just like, oh the bar's through that door. Pretty casual, no real sense of excitement about the experience. We were a group of six and were seated in a private room. The waiter/server was a nice kid- patiently answered all of the group's questions. Drinks were good but very expensive. It's worth to come for one drink, but not worth it for more than that.

We found their new location inside the Franklin hotel complete with a non descript door expected from a speakeasy. The host was really nice but it went downhill quickly from there. The bartenders were more interested in experimenting and serving themselves than engaging with customers. The martinis were served in a tiny sherry glass and nothing special. We enjoyed the meat tray only because we were hungry. It was dark and cozy with quiet music. Maybe a better experience at a table

If you are looking for a true speakeasy experience in Philly, this has to be the place. What a fun vibe you get when you walk into this space. Their drinks are unique and tasty but the servers are also great and willing to recommend or even have the bartenders create something outside their menu for you.

Parking is hard. There is a garage across the street but get ready to pay $30+ for parking. Dude at the main entrance of the hotel (not sure if he is a hotel staff or a staff of the bar) is low key passive aggressive. Love the ambiance and staff is friendly. Looks like a great set of drinks to explore. Enjoyed drinking the other side of the game and the little cowgirl. Well balanced cocktails. Saw some fat washed, infusion type drinks too. Will try it next time. Chill ambiance. Would be good to add some egg white/foamy drinks. Its becoming hard to find them these days.

Drinks and location were A+. I would consider this a "speakeasy" as you will definitely miss it if you aren't looking for it. Stopped in for a few drinks and a super cool atmosphere. There's something about an old time bar that has no TVs in it that makes places like this special. Servers were very quick to come to our table and get us everything we needed without hesitating. Not the most instagram-able place due to the low key vibe but for sure a spot you won't soon forget.

Find the red door (Rittenhouse Hotel) green door in the lobby is where you find jackpot. Soon as we walked in the concierge asked if I was here for the bar and gave away the location. The mixologist was great and hostess was very social. Drinks were good and ambiance was relaxing. Was expecting more of a challenge but it was a good experience.

It took a minute to find as it's more of a hotel bar than a speakeasy like I thought. Service was excellent and drinks amazing! Highly recommend

Delicious cocktails, great variety of interesting flavors. & love the newer location.

A cool little bar with a hidden entrance, emulating the speakeasy bars during prohibition. In reality, it's just a small bar with a really nice atmosphere and great drinks.

Beautiful ambiance, not usually crowded. Awesome hidden gem in the city. Speakeasy vibes.

W drinks, atmosphere and music. They may have trouble seating a very large group but it's cool

Cool. Clean. Great Speakeasy. They had a fantastic drink selection. Amazing cozy esthetic. Will definitely return next time in Philly

Used to be my favorite cocktail bar in the world. Changed locations but not quality or vibe. Drinks are all amazing, one after the other. Service is perfect as well. Nothing is bad and you will leave happy.

Wow! What a great experience. This was a recommendation from my coworker and I'm SO glad I listened. The bartender was fantastic. Knowledgeable, welcomed us with shots, asked our spirit profile. Over all LOVED from bottom to the top! We will be back!

Nestled in the middle of a street with an unassuming exterior, enter into the perfect date night spot (were literally seated between 2 first dates) w upscale drinks and cozy but not overly intimate vibes. drinks 5/5: started w a fresh complimentary shot of ginger based liquor. ordered feminine masculinity x2 was perhaps the best rye based drink i've ever had. service 4/5: lovely and helpful hosts and waiters, just slower on the service. note, will be carded to enter this inconspicuous establishment. drink prices consistent with the fine class. Will definitely be back on a return trip.

The last time I was at Franklin Mortgage and Investment was many years ago at their 18th Street location. This past weekend, my husband and I stopped by their new location for pre-dinner drinks and was blown away by how swanky their new place looked. Compared to the 18th Street location, this was a huge upgrade. We arrived around 5:30pm with reservations, right before it started to get busy and get packed. We shared a few cocktails and an order of popcorn. The cocktails were very well-crafted. Between the two of us, we shared the AC Expressway, Sports and Doppelganger cocktails. The AC Expressway was classy and smooth, just not my kind of cocktail. The Sports cocktail was refreshing and nice. But the most fun cocktail is definitely the Doppelganger. This cocktail comes with the rhum lit on fire and tastes very tropical. As for the snacks, the offerings are limited and the portions small. The order of popcorn we shared was less than a 6 oz portion and costs $6. Having seen how small the popcorn is, I would definitely stick with just cocktails next time.

Very cool little bar. Great speakeasy with a solid bar team. Go hide out here for a round or two. Order the perfect martini. Best I ever had.

Stopped in for drinks after dinner and so happy we were able to get in on a Saturday night without reservation. We witnessed many people get turned away as the bar was completely packed. This is a swanky, moody bar with well crafted drinks. We ordered the "Per my last email" and "I'm reliable resources." Both drinks were mezcal based as hubby and I both love the smoky taste of mezcal. Drinks are on the pricier side so plan accordingly.

We stopped in for a quick drink before dinner for a friend's birthday and enjoyed our drinks. We were seated in a booth, and our server immediately came to greet us and take our drink order. He made several suggestions and gave us some background history of the place. The drinks were delicious, and the place gave true speakeasy vibes. Overall, I'd return to have some drinks here if I am ever in Philly again!

walk thru the lobby of a hotel, 2 people no res on a thursday night at 9 pm w/ no trouble. great service, nice ambiance, the drinks are fun. it's a place to sit and chat over drinks at an actual table, rather than at a bar if that's what u need for the night $48 pp for two drinks each after tax and tip.

Having frequented many a speak easy in my day, this isn't that. It's dark and small but it's just an overpriced cocktail bar and nothing special at all. The menu didn't have a single thing that interested me but I couldn't know that until I got in since there isn't anything online. Maybe not every palate wants a savory undertone with their happy hour cocktail. The house punch was very tasty but that wasn't a menu option I was given. Our server entirely forgot about an entire round of drinks which is completely unacceptable for what they advertise as an experience. It's ridiculously overpriced and trades too much on the supposed exclusivity without backing it up. I won't be back and probably will tell others to avoid. Edit: I wanted to wait a bit to see if I was still angry enough to update and I am. The night I posted my review I received a rude DM from someone listed as the owner. Rather than asking how my experience could have been better, I was told I must have been in the wrong place because I dared to say anything negative, and of course this is the most bomb-ass bar to ever exist and this could never have been my honest or accurate experience. In fairness I was offered a refund, which I declined as a refund is not and never was the point. It was an unpleasant exchange and has only increased my desire to avoid this establishment at all costs and share my negative experience with other Yelpers.

Great place to just chill and enjoy whomever you're with and have some great spirits while doing so. Quiet and welcoming.

A sweet surprise behind THAT door, a cool, edgy vibe hit fills us as we filed into the cozy well appointed speak easy. Our group of 10 hailed from around the globe and were immediately seated in a perfectly suited large single tabled space. Really? The wall paper chandelier and grand table set the tone for our waiter's impeccable attention to detail, making suggestions and answering questions that came at him rapid fire in 5 different accents. ordering lots of delicious plates to share was perfect for our companions appetites, dietary limitations, and discerning tastes. Everything was exquisite!

We were enthusiastic fans of the original location of The Franklin Mortgage. We loved their creative and innovative spirit in cocktail development and their attention to detail in crafting their beverages. Recently, we were excited to visit them in their new location. We were sorely disappointed in what we found. Of our party of 4, none of us had a cocktail worthy of their reputation. Our server handed us menus and we made our choices. When we placed our orders, we were informed that 2 of the 4 cocktails we ordered were unavailable. One was due to being out of stock on the small batch rye that made the cocktail interesting. No other interesting rye was offered and the "substitute" was a basic Rittenhouse Rye which, while a very good rye, can be obtained at any cocktail bar in Philadelphia. The other stock deficit was an infused spirit. Of the 2 cocktails that were available, one was delivered in a double old fashion glass with a single large ice cube that stood a full half inch above the top of the glass, making it impossible to drink from the glass. The other was served in the same glass with no ice or garnish instead of in a coupe or Nick & Nora glass which would have been more appropriate. In a city where there are so many options for wonderfully creative cocktails made by mixologists who are passionate about delivering a great imbibing experience, I recommend making another choice in your cocktail destination.

I was honestly pretty underwhelmed. I definitely recommend reservations- I tried going once without one on a Friday night and couldn't get in. Came back next week with a reservation and was seated pretty quickly, though. The vibes inside are cute-cozy-vintage-classy. They have a few different rooms- my friends and I were seated in one of the back rooms where it was a little quieter which was nice since the front room by the bar seemed cramped. The drinks were interesting- they were out of the two drinks we were most interested in so we ended up picking something else and it was just meh. Definitely unique flavors and something I don't think we'd be able to find elsewhere but also.... it wasn't particularly good, either. For the price, the whole experience was just a little overrated. Might be a cute date spot but I'd honestly be happier with a cosmo for half the price at any other upscale bar in the city.

Ya have to go. Cool new location. Warm welcome and service. You'll thank me and yourself for going.

This "speakeasy" type bar has good drinks and good service. The reason I am giving it 3 stars is because they have not done a great job of making clear that the location has changed. When I used to live in Philly, we would come to this bar all the time (at its old location) so when I came back to visit, I was extremely confused when multiple addresses were showing for this bar. The new locations is much harder to find and I would recommend just walking into the Franklin hotel and asking for help if it is your first time and you are having trouble finding it. They tried to replicate the "speakeasy" vibes of the original location but it is not quite the same dark atmosphere that the original location had. If you have not been to the original location and don't have expectations of it being the same, I would highly recommend and the service and the drinks are great for a night cap or a pre-dinner cocktail.

We never received service, we did wait for it. It just never happened. We didn't get Foor or drinks as we never got service. Ambiance was cool until we were ushered to the back room. Not so cool. Was it tiki every night or just last night? The Bar set up was devoid of bottles. We didn't get service so we couldn't ask. We packed up our visiting New Yorkers, passing people drinking gigantic drinks out of color, plastic straws, all sweet, and not the curated cocktails we had come for. We ended up at AKA, where it was quiet, sophisticated and Service cocktails were beyond compare. The front of house seemed annoyed, tired, and resentful. Not sure what's going on here. I truly hope we just hit a bad night. We only want every small business to succeed in our little city. How to improve: retrain your front of house, don't do kitschy sophomoric themes, do one thing and do it beyond reproach. Be legends. #employeesonly #deadrabbit

We were in town for the weekend and decided to find a nice place to drink. It's a very small space inside, and you probably do better if you have a reservation. We arrived hoping to get a walk-in spot and waited an hour before they contacted us with an availability. It was nice, given that it was a Saturday night (11 PM), and we still managed to get in by midnight. It's an exciting place with an entrance that is in the alley. I hesitated for a while to walk into an alley late at night, but plenty of people were waiting to get in, so that's a good indicator if you are at the right place. We had two cocktails each, and I wasn't very impressed by them. The drinks took a while to arrive (not surprising, as most "fancy" cocktails require time to prep). It was a nice date spot but only worth it if you don't mind waiting and paying for it. However, shout out to the staff. Everyone was super nice and friendly. Even the doorman/bouncer (who's probably tired of listening to people complain about the wait time) was super friendly to us after dealing with a bunch of drunks prior to us.

We made a reservation for my boyfriends birthday a week ahead. It was cancelled by the restaurant electronically 2 days before with no explanation. They ignored my email asking why and don't answer their phone. Out of curiosity we stopped in on the way to another destination on his birthday and it turned out they were booked for an event. Absolute lack of courtesy. Will not try again.

My boyfriend and I decided to come here on a Saturday night around 930. We had no reservation, but decided to take a chance and hopefully we could get a seat. It's located in an alley, definitely a speakeasy vibe which I appreciate. At the door, they checked our IDs and luckily had an open spot at the bar! So we were immediately seated. It definitely had an upscale vibe inside, but people were dressed up, dressed to go for a club, and more of a casual dress. I think it's up to your discretion what you want to wear. We were greeted quickly by a bartender, who got us waters and a complimentary shot of this gin drink... it was delicious! And also exciting because it made us feel special lol There were light snacks on the menu but it's mostly a cocktail bar and the menu reflected that. They had classic drinks, drinks particular to the bar, and other special drinks. We made our choices, I got the Shaky Alibi which was delicious. I could tell everything was made with care, and both bartenders were super knowledgeable about their craft. For my second drink, I wanted something similar to a menu item but a different liquor. I explained it to the bartender and she made me this delicious drink that I loved!! We stayed for a few hours, with full waters and great service. I had a really awesome time. Making a reservation is probably the way to go, we got lucky here. But if you're looking for a cocktail bar that offers an intimate experience after dinner, I would definitely check it out!

Very good cocktail bar! Its very hard to find as the door is not labeled by I think that adds to the fun! When we arrived, we had our IDs check and then were quickly seated. I would recommend making a reservation! We each got 2 cocktails...not sure which ones but ever single one we had was delicious! All were pretty strong so 2 did the trick. I would highly recommend if you are looking for a high end cocktail bar!

We snagged a table here without a reservation (not sure how!) but you should probably make a reservation, as it's a small, intimate space. The mood lighting is lovely, dark, but not "I need a flashlight to read the menu" dark. ha. And the drinks are so swanky. We only had time for one beverage, but I'd totally come back. My mai tai was top notch. The entrance is not in a sketchy alley. It's clearly marked if you just use your Google turn by turn maps.

Make reservations because that will make your life easier! I had the Per My Last Email ($21). It was boozy and spicy, which I appreciated. Super cozy space, very intimate, though the tables felt slightly too wide to me. The drinks are pretty expensive, so make the most of your time here.

Very vibey and dark. Good ambiance especially for dates. I can't quite remember if drinks were good so must have been solid/fine but not remarkable. Also good for small groups - quiet and intimate. Might be hard to canoodle if you're not a booth tho lol

Great ambiance, fancy drinks perfect for a romantic night out. The only thing be prepared to wait a little if you don't have a reservation.

A bit of a bummer experience. I had noted 'anniversary' in the reservation I locked in on resy. There was no acknowledgment of it at all. We also got put in a side room and there was no one else in there. Lastly, while I understand this is a cocktail spot I think their food program could be so much better. We got a cheese plate that looked like something I'd make at home.

Very cool ambiance: dark with soft music making everything about the place a chill place to be for an after dinner drink. Cocktails are unique and made with care.

The Franklin located inside the rittenhouse square boutique hotel is a cute lowkey hotel bar great for intimate conversations and unique cocktails! service is fast and friendly and it feels like you're taking a step back in time! Love the vibes