The Olde Bar Events Space
Permanently Closed
Seafood, raw bar, and retro drinks in historic building
Seafood, raw bar, and retro drinks in historic building
"After Bookbinder’s went through hard times and closed, Jose Garces reopened the space as The Olde Bar, a renovated nod to Philly’s seafood-house past where I can enjoy classics like the age-old Grasshopper (Branca Menta, Crème de Cacao, and heavy cream) and the Fish House Punch (a mix of different rums, brandy, peach cordial, and lemon)." - Eater Staff
"Dollar oysters have become rare, but the tradition lives on during happy hour at celebrity chef Jose Garces’ Olde Bar. His Old City restaurant — in the historic building that once housed Philly icon Bookbinders — is actually all about seafood. Find lobster four ways — including pot pie and corn dog — along with crab and corn chowder, crab claws, tuna frites, halibut, scallop pasta, and more. A couple of other nearby spots with great raw bars include The Wayward in Center City and Old City’s Royal Boucherie — both offer seafood towers." - Ernest Owens
"When vintage charm and a lively happy hour are on my agenda, I head to the Olde Bar inside the Old Original Bookbinder’s (dating to 1893) for buck-a-shuck oysters, discounted beer and wine, and its Fish House Punch rum cocktail." - Ernest Owens
"Chef Jose Garces’ Old City restaurant brings nostalgic vibes nodding to its location in the Bookbinder’s building (a historic steakhouse known for its lobster and seafood). During its happy hour (offered Sunday through Friday from 4 p.m. - 7 p.m.) you can dine on seafood-centric fare like $2 buck shuck oysters, mini seafood rolls, and shrimp fries while you sip on one of its luscious libations like the fish house punch or one of the rotating bartender’s selection." - George Banks-Weston
"Executive Chef Jose Garces’ Old City oyster bar and cocktail lounge has gained much notoriety for paying homage to the historic seafood restaurant, Old Original Bookbinders, that used to reside in the same building. Its flavor-packed rendition of shrimp and grits is made with soft-shell shrimp, vanilla grits, pork andouille sausage, garlic kale, and a sunny side up egg." - George Banks-Weston
