Sassafrasbar Reviews

one of the best burgers in the city.

Great old music! Fabulous hibiscus mojitos! Perogies and to die for mac-n-cheese! Well worth a stop here in Old City Phillie

Thanks to all who suggested we try this place - it was very quiet at 5:30 on a Saturday when we stopped in for a drink. Lovely old building, looking a little worn, open to the street. Had a nice chat with the bartender. Note: owned by the same Irishman who owns Tin Angel (live music) a few doors up the street. Reading other sites suggests it is more "happening" later at night.

My wife and I stopped here for a few beers. We were impressed. This is a fun pub with lots of character and a really neat atmosphere. Sassafras Bar is over 100 years old. The locals at the bar were all friendly and had lots of stories to tell about this area. This bar has many excellent beers on tap.

Great staff and nice drinks.. Good selection of beer as well. The atmosphere was great and relax as well as the music.

Sassafras International Cafe has the potential of becoming the next great Old City establishment. The warmth and charm greet you as you walk through the door. The proprietor’s decision to keep much of the original interior features while seamlessly blending tasteful renovations allows you to be transported to an earlier time, a simpler time. But simple stops there. The selection of draught beer is varied, but not extensive…just enough. If you can’t find what you want on draught, you’re sure to find it on the bottled beer list. Wine is offered by the glass or the bottle. The bar staff delivers a perfect, extra-dry martini (try the Blue Coat gin, a local favorite or go whole-hog and get a Hendricks!). The ala-carte dinner menu offers a truly international assortment of appetizers, salads, soups, sandwiches and entrees. Each dish was expertly prepared with fresh ingredients. The only drawback was an unusually overwhelmed wait staff. This is not a criticism, but more of a warning. Trust us, the food is well worth the wait and surely this situation will be corrected as Sassafras moves through its growing pains. For now, sit back, relax and enjoy your time at Old City’s diamond in the rough.

Visited the Old City for the evening and heard of this place from past reviewed. T lived up to its reputation. We had two great cocktails.

Stopped for dinner, just to find a very uninspired menu. Basically it screamed, "would you like a burger....or a burger...". There were other choices, but the burger seemed safe. Our experience, go for the beer, go for the cocktail, go for the jazz, go for the atmosphere, but don't necessarily go for the food. Would we return? Maybe... FYI: GREAT, friendly service and a very warm welcoming atmosphere..... just Uninspired Food ...

We happened across this place on our way to dinner at the 2nd floor brewery. Service was top notch as was the beer, wine and cocktails. This place is full of character with a great inclusive atmosphere. Try the Moscow Mule!

To walk into this small tavern come cafe is to step back in time by at least 150 years. The barman doubles as the only waiter for the 6 or so tables and he's a character - Dan. Great friendly service, and good quality simply menu and food. Worth the experience and they play Jazz some nights.

Went in here for drinks on Christmas day after dinner. Cozy little bar. Decent beers including Arrogant B*stard and the Belgian Duvel. Staff was friendly. My partner didn't really like the cocktails she had though. I found myself puzzled by a wooden doll that appeared to be half male half female. You can find it in the included picture. Overall we had a pretty good time here. The music was nice and easy going.

Loved the food and the cocktails. We had hummus, with toasted pita, which was excellent. The a pulled pork sandwich - also, very good. The cocktails were well made and delicious. And the bartenders were super - though very busy, they were right on it in getting us drinks and food. I will definitely come again.

This building is over 100 years old, as many building in City Center are. The pressed tin ceiling and tile on the walls and floors add a unique atmosphere. The food was good and the manager (or owner) was so kind to us. It was busy and therefore loud but we really enjoyed it. Check out the women’s room for a one of a kind ladies lounge. 🙂

A restaurant next door which was closing sent me there which is usually a good sign. The resaurant was empty due to the odd hour of my arrival. The food is simple (burger, Ceasar salad, apple pie) but is was very fresh and unexpenive. Kudos to the waiter Dany who was helpful and very nice. A perfect place to eat if you go to the movie theater nearby. They also have live jazz music playing five nights per week.

I found this bar by accident. Most of Olde City is entirely too trendy and expensive for my taste. My husband and I were walking down the street and ventured in to Sassafras for a drink. The bar is old. I'm talking 100 years and older, old. What I loved about it was the fact that the owners kept the original features of the bar. The tiles on the floor, the tin ceiling, the original wood behind the bar, the fireplace. While they have updated some features, they embraced the wonderful older ones. We decided on their buffalo wings and fries. The wings come in 2 flavors, traditional "buffalo" style and teriyaki. I had a sampling of both. They did not disappoint. My husband had their homemade, cut to order fries. They were some of the best fries we've ever had. The crowd was a mixture of young and older, music played but you could still talk to people and be heard without shouting. The waitstaff is very attentive and friendly. The prices are a little cheaper than some of the other places in Olde City but are still a little higher than other parts of the city. We will definitely go back again, and again. We loved it here.

I actually live in Philadelphia and in my nine years here, I only recently came across the Sassafras Cafe. To boot, I didn't eat here--a friend and I stopped in for drinks after brunch one Sunday. But I wanted to write to say this: this is a solid, non-pretentious bar/restaurant in Old City. Old City tends to be filled with trendy locations, many of which seem like they're trying too hard. But Sassafras has a nice interior, decent menu selection (although, again, I didn't try the food), knowledgable bartenders and they mix a good drink. When my friend and I left we kept remarking how we couldn't believe we didn't know the place existed. P.S. good for people watching on 2nd street too.

stopped in for a drink and bite to eat. beautiful tile walls, friendly and attentive staff. the bees knees was a good and refreshing drink, the pretzel and the firecracker shrimp are also worth a try!

This is a nice place for a quiet lunch. Great location in old city. The soups are wonderful as are the sandwiches. Highly recommend.

Was completely shocked at last night's bartender. My friend and I went to celebrate the NY (early) and sat at the bar. Both of us have been in the service industry and respect that career choice. However, the service from this person was totally unprofessional and rude. 1. My friend had the food menu and was holding it until she wanted to order after having a cocktail, he just took it away without asking - it wasn't that anyone else was asking for it; so we had to ask for it - he seemed a little put off by her request; 2. While we were still enjoying the food - (hamburger and french fries) - and munching on the french fries he just came and took it away along with the napkins and other items - again just rude - never asked if we were done - kind of took us by surprise but didn't want to make a big deal of it - but the final insult was when I asked quite respectfully for his attention to request our check - he was towards the end of the bar where we were and I said "excuse me" and he looked up and I asked for our check - at that time he kind of threw the electric bill towards us and told me that I shouted at him and he didn't like it- I was shocked - I asked my friend did I yell and she did not believe I did since I didn't want to be disrespectful to him - so when we did get the funds together to pay and he came over I said to him I wasn't yelling but I had to use a louder voice since the bar/restaurant was crowded and if you have been in Sass you realize that the acoustics can be challenging to hear - he kind of shook it off but I told him that it was totally uncalled for and he insulted me and told him that he F'd his tip - which was minimal if not insulting - but figured unwarranted insults to a customer do not warrant any normal tips that we leave (always 20% plus) . There are many bars restaurants in the area of Sass and while I have great memories of spending a lot of time there in the past and having great service I will never return nor will ever recommend this place to my friends who live and/or visit in the area.

Live in the neighborhood and I love this place. Staff is great, drinks are delicious, and food is yummy. I very much like their seasonal drinks.

My husband and I stopped by here for drinks after a nighttime tour of the city. It's dimly lit and has speakeasy style music/decor. But then there was football on the TVs as well. We ordered a few drinks, and every single one was delicious!!! We weren't planning on eating, but we saw someone nearby receive a burger and fries that looked amazing, so we decided to order some food as well. We got the grilled cheese with a side of tomato bisque plus some fried cheese curds. The dipping sauces were so good, and all the food was just as tasty as the drinks! The bartenders were very attentive and polite. There was some sort of issue/confrontation with a customer that turned physical, but the bartenders did their best to get the customer outside and keep the rest of us safe/inside while the police took reports. Other than that strange encounter, everything was perfect, and we would definitely recommend going!

I love this joint. Stumbled upon it while trying to find a late night place to drink. The place has the feel of a dive bar with big band quietly playing overhead. The bartender was outstanding. I ordered a vodka soda and half way through saw the bartender making old fashions the traditional way. No shortcuts. I asked him to surprise me with a vodka drink. He made me a French Snap. It was excellent and strong. They also have a menu that was done by the time I got there, but rumor has it the mac and cheese is really good.

Excellent service, good food for the price, fantastic cocktails. Atmosphere is great! Opening an upstairs soon, we heard.

Staying near by and stopped in for a drink and a recommendation on a place to get a slice of pizza. I was surprised to learn that their kitchen is open fairly late. The Mac 'n cheese sounded good and was highly recommended by the bar tender. It was supurb. This is a place I'd like to go back to and try for more. Seems like a great pub atmosphere. Convenient location.

Fantastic service, god beer and really enjoyed the Cocktail gimlet 12 & Vieux Carre....great service and sitting outside by Holly...

Great ambiance. Small and vintage. Excellent food.I had the lobster bisque. Fantastic jazz band on Monday nights. Jazz meets jam band playing the classic jazz standards.

We stopped in here when we first rolled into Philly and knew nothing about the place. It's really quite an historic spot, as we learned from the proprietor. And the food and beer were really fantastic. What a surprise! Thought I just had to write something about it.

hidden in old city, they have great burgers here.

It had been awhile since I had gone to Safrass. I had enjoyed it then and I was very pleased with my return visit. The beer selection was well above average. I ordered a bison burger that was Delicious. We ate at the bar, the bar tenders were attentive and accomodating

1st time in Philadelphia with my wife.We walked into sassafras Very cool bar lots of character.Great beers.The bartender Danny was really nice.Nice day out.

Wow nice friendly spot, excellent food and drink, NO tv's (Loved that) - this was about friends and dinner. Meatballs DELICIOUS and not in a red sauce. Burger SUPER. Their house marguerita was great as well. Small, intimate and out of the hustle and bustle. Will be returning.

When we stopped in for a drink, the kitchen was not open yet. We were there until 3 pm, when it did open. But after looking at the menu, it seemed kind of uninspired, so we passed. Good beer, though, which quenched our thirsts. The cocktail menu looked nice, too, but we stuck with beer. Nice old décor downstairs, with velvet drapes and dark wood. The best part, odd as it may sound, is the ladies room. One large room, painted in bright, bold colors, in a kind of Gauguin-esque style. Worth walking up the stairs just to have a look. And the great artwork along the stairs, in the style of Toulouse-Lautrec, complete with can-can dancers!

It's a bit of a tight spot and our table was right next to the men's bathroom, so not great seat. But the service was great and the food was tasty.

We decided to try this bar/restaurant because it was close to our hotel and the TripAdvisor reviews were pretty good. We arrived and were seated immediately and served water by the bartender/waiter. After five minutes he returned to take our order. I ordered the chicken sandwich and fries, and my wife ordered the tomato and mozzarella sandwich with a salad. We waited for about 30 minutes or more before our food came out despite there being only 10 people there. My sandwich was very tasty and spicy and the fries were excellent. My wife's salad was delicious but her sandwich wasn't. It may be because it wasn't what she was expecting. To finish we decided to have cherry cobbler but after a short wait we were told they were out so we ordered the apple pie and apricot ice cream. After about 15 minutes a piece of apple pie arrived without ice cream but we didn't really mind. After one bite, we decided that it was the worst apple pie we had ever tried and we left it and requested our check. The check came without any question on why we hadn't eaten our pie so we paid the bill and left. We probably wouldn't eat here again.

We stopped here over 4th of July weekend and there was one person on staff...one. He was absolutely slammed. The place was packed and lots of people were ordering drinks that take some serious time to make. Not only was this guy making drinks and staffing the whole bar, he was the waiter for tables as well. We wanted to order an old fashion or a drink of that nature but ended up getting a beer since we felt so bad for the guy. This would be a fun place if not so busy. Kudos for that guy for keeping his sanity and not walking out of the door.

What a great find! Very small place. Friendly staff and a nice bonus was the great music they played before a live jazz duo started playing. We had two of the specials. Deviled eggs appetizer and bacon, smoked Gouda Perogies (their perogies change daily) and lastly an order of their fish and chips.

Very friendly place, a real neighborhood feel in Old City, Philadelphia. Decent cheesesteak, but the hotdogs are worth trying! Had a group there and had them plain and a couple with the special venison chili and slaw! Lamb casing, unique flavor.... And the service was friendly and funny. And the price did not break the budget!

I stopped here for a quick drink and snack before I caught a cab back to my hotel. The bartenders were super friendly and the cocktail they served up was great. A random stop turned out to be very fun. Neat pub, I highly recommend.

Loved the atmosphere in this place. Great music, great decor, great service for people just wanting to chill out and relax. I will be back next time in Philly.

Found this place while heading somewhere else. The food was great and bar has a good selection. Will definitely go back.

We were just talking a walk through the neighborhood when we heard the music and saw the signs out side for watermelon sangria. Didn't take long before we were seated at the bar having some great sangria. Good bartender, good drinks, and good music made for a great end to our walk that night. Not much room the the 3 musicians but the sounded great!

We were unexpectedly here for happy hour and loved it! Such a warm, cosy and relaxing atmosphere we didn't want to leave. Bar staff are very knowledgeable on what they're serving and gave great suggestions. This was recommended to us by a local. Even if just for one drink, make sure you pay it a visit.

On a cold winter's night, Sassafras was the perfect combination of cozy warmth, a delicious meal, beautiful vintage surroundings, good people, and a very satisfying glass of beer. My burger was cooked to perfection and I lingered over my meal enjoying the live music, played to exactly match the cozy ambiance. Absolutely my favorite dining out experience while in Philly. I wish it were my hometown local spot so I could go every week.

Walk in, ask for Danny, and have him tell you the story of their cocktail menu. You will learn not only the cocktail, but the bar, and that area of the Philadelphia, and possibly more. What a gem! I love the way their cocktail menu is organized, from Vodka to Gin to Whisky to Tequila, then each one with multiple options and associated stories. The ambiance is neighborly, sort of "Philadelphia" feeling. There should be a week-long tasting journey, and try them all in turns.

Sassafras is a fantastic restaurant for lunch. Danny was amazing and fun to talk to. The burgers and fries were superb. My daughter loves French Onion soup and said theirs was the best!

What a find! Good food, service was fine, the the decor was totally cool. Original tile and just a feeling of being back in time. Ladies, make sure you go upstairs to the bathroom, it's huge and looks more like a living room, then ask your male friends what their bathroom looks like....quite a difference! Hahahaha. Would go back again.

I was there last week with a party of ten and we tried a number of their appetizers. All of them were quite tasty but I really enjoyed the grilled calamari. It was tender and the sauce they served it with was extremely good. I liked the calamari so much that I looked for it under entrees. Since I didn't see it I asked if they could do an entree with it grilled in an butter and garlic sauce served over a bed of linquine? Our waiter said "absolutely, and it was delicious. My dining companions all seemed to enjoy their choice of entrees and I didn't hear any complaints. The restaurant has a nice relaxed atmosphere. They have a nice selection of desserts and the chocolate mouse cake was extremely rich and moist.

We stopped in here for a few drinks on Christmas Eve and loved both the beers and the atmosphere. Bartenders were extremely kind and attentive without being overly in your business. The ladies room was very clean and spacious with a full sized mirror and a couch! Best of all were the beers on tap: Victory Winter Cheers, Dock St. Rye IPA, Evil Genius Naughty or Nice, and Troeggs Mad Elf. The only reason I didn't give it 5 out of 5 stars is that we didn't eat there so I can't rate the food. Definitely a tiny locals spot you should check out if you're in old city.

We found Sassafras through Yelp, which was a good thing, because it is such an unassuming restaurant. Located in Olde City, Philadelphia, which is a favorite Philly haunt for us, Sassafras is sandwiched between other, more noticeable restaurants. The first thing you notice about Sassafras is that it is old....really old, which I love. And very tiny. Its mainly a bar with some high tables in front of it, some low tables just beyond those and a few booths in the very back. And that's it. Its also kind of dark, but the building is ancient so what would you expect? The bar tender/waitress was very lively and energetic. My husband ordered a hamburger and I ordered the grilled chicken breast sandwich with long hots and provolone. And I kid you not, that was THE best, most flavorful, chicken breast I have ever eaten in my life. The provolone gave it that wonderfully sharp bite while the long hots added an intense kick to the whole thing. It was phenomenal! My husbands hamburger was also excellent. Very flavorful and done up well with some tasty seasonings. We both had the side salad, which was very fresh and was served with what tasted to be a lemon vinaigrette. Very light but also flavorful. Ive read the sweet potato fries are to die for, so that's on our agenda for the next visit. All in all, a great neighborhood gem with excellent food!

A real find. Welcoming, characterful, charming. Fabulous cocktails, gentle jazz, grown up but far from dull. Food ok and the fried pickles were a revelation. On July 4th weekend, an oasis from the tourist traps. Be charmed by the delightful bartenders and their Irish burr.

My husband was in the mood for a burger but not knowing where to go, he looked for a list of best burgers in Philadelphia. We had been in the city for 4 days and we walked everywhere so we wanted something close to the historic area and our hotel. I wasn't sure what to expect because it looks like a bar - a nice bar, but a bar nonetheless. It is very small but there were booths in the back. The interior is classic with dark wood but you had the feeling of being warm and comfortable. My husband and I both ordered burgers and honestly, they were the best burgers we've had in a restaurant in ages. My daughter ordered a veggie burger and we found out afterwards that they make their own veggie burgers, no frozen premade hockey puck here! Great service, wonderful food, and a nice atmosphere. You can tell they care about what try are making and serving!

Bartenders were very busy, so they couldn’t really tell us much about the drinks. The root canal is very strong and mule we delicious. The vibe is laid back, prices as expected for a specialty drink, and women’s bathroom is unusually palatial. Yup, it is a unexpectedly large. Complete with a couch to sprawl out on. Not sure why that’s there.

I've been goin to this bar for years and it will always be my favorite for atmosphere alone; it's like something out of a Tom Waits song. It's in old city, which may make some wary, but ignore that instinct to avoid obnoxious suburbanites and give it a shot. The prices are reasonable, the cocktails are strong, and the food is great. Had the tomato soup and grilled cheese last night and it was perfect. This place is best when it's empty so come during off hours. And if you are a lady, as I am, visit the bathroom upstairs. It's got more character than most bars in this neighborhood.

I still haven’t found a better Moscow mule, and I’ve tried plenty in my search. Staff is great, love the classic bartender in white smock look. Food is great and the drinks are better. Hope they don’t change the antique mirrors and tile even though they show their age.

We got ostrich burgers and while its small there is a dear smoking a pipe ! haha had fun and would love to go back

I love this place. It is my favorite bar in old city. Really makes you feel like you are in Europe. Old building with tile and dark wood bar. In the winter, sit near the back by the real fire place and have a drink at one of the small tables with your love in the candle light. Its really romantic. They have live music sometimes too, including a fiddle player. This really adds to the European feel! LOVED IT! I haven't tryed the food here so sorry, can't comment on that. The only thing strange is the decor of the handpainted bathroom...wacky, but OK. Oh - the place is pretty small too. I like to call it "intimate".

Head to Sassafras if you’re looking for a place where they really know how to make a good cocktail. The bartenders were knowledgeable and friendly. The vibe is very 1920’s Americana, which is fun. And if you get hungry make sure to try their sweet potato fries, delicious!

Small and cozy place Burgers are great!! Service was very fast They have a variety of beers apparently (I dont drink) The staff is super helpful too

Great little bar down the street from City Tavern. Has an open wall so you can enjoy the beautiful weather whiel enjoying a cocktail.

New twist on classic cocktails. Great vibes, spacious and welcoming staff. Classy decor brings you back to the good days.

Just stopped in for drinks. Its a very small place however the bar itself is a beautiful antique and the barstools comfortable. The place lends itself to 1920"s speakeasy. The bartenders are professionals and very well trained, Didn't eat but menu was a typical bar menu, food that was ordered around us smelled very good and the people seemed to enjoy. A very cool place to stop in for awhile and enjoy a well made drink.

This is such a cute little spot. I came in on a Sunday night for the live jazz and an ostrich burger. The spot is cozy & the decor is very quaint. I was very disappointed to find that they no longer have ostrich on the menu. I ordered a dark & stormy which was delicious—best I’ve had outside of Bermuda. I opted for the duck confit (the evening special) and my partner had the bison burger. Both were good but the duck was AMAZING. The pastry melted in my mouth and the flavors of the cheese & mushrooms were divine! The burger was very flavorful and the hand-cut fries were excellent. I only wish they carried regular ketchup. The homemade one they had was too sweet for me. The service was excellent. The bartender was taking care of the bar and all of the tables and did an amazing job! Our food came quickly and drinks stayed filled. I don’t know how he did it. I don’t remember the name of the band but I thoroughly enjoyed them. I would definitely recommend this place for a casual bite, good drinks and great music.

Place is a little dive barish but nice place to grab a cheap burger. Burger was good and came with a side salad. Fries were an alternative option. Would I go out of my way to come here? No. But not bad if you are looking for a good quality burger at a very reasonable price.

Sometimes you just want a good drink, a good burger and some good live music. Sassafras in "Old City" Philadelphia has consistently provided me with all three and more! When you walk up on the days I do (pretty much any evening but Sunday or Monday) you're greeted with a local jazz band (my favorites are Brady the sax player and Jason the guitarist on Tuesdays) and one of the amazingly friendly and competent bartenders who will (if the crowd isn't terribly large) take your order for a drink and a meal (if you're hungry). The burgers are AMAZING! Served on a "kaiser" roll, you have a choice of sirloin, lamb (a new fav or mine), buffalo, ostrich (which I'm told is excellent) and veggie (not a pre made patty but a hand-formed custom blend of theirs which I happen to love). If you want something more substantial there are selections like lamb "lollipops" and a rather uniquely flavored steak sandwich (not your typical "Philly cheesesteak"). The salads are good and they have some nice appetizers like the "Verniki" which are described as "Mongolian dumplings" but remind me of sort of an Asian pirogie. Now for those who imbibe... "Sass" has some amazing drinks including some hard to find libations that are from a time long past. I happen to like their take on the Vesper (the classic "James Bond" drink) which they make using Triple Sec vs. the Kina Lillet). Served ICE COLD, it's a nice way to unwind. They also have a wonderful selection of single malts (Macallan, Oban, Glenlivet and others) and bourbons (Woodford Reserve, Makers Mark, etc.) as well as your typical "well drinks." All in all I love the place. If I had a "complaint" it would be that it opens at 5 (I think) in the evening. I'd love a burger at lunchtime from them. Oh well - they're worth the wait. Go, and enjoy!

Stopped in for a drink bartender made great recommendations and they had a trio playing music on a monday night at happy hour a good stop for us before dinner, They also serve food but we went for the drinks. Just a smal place with some Philly neighborhood flavor

Really an impressive, excellent spot. I went with a date on her recommendation, and am glad I did. It was cozy and very unique, with a romantic ambiance and a very chill vibe. Everton was our bartender and he couldn't have done a better job. He was friendly, gave us great historical background on the joint, the building and the neighborhood when asked, and made a great cocktail. The beer list was solid, and they had a great bottle selection as well where I was able to snag a delicious German dunkel I had never had before. The wine options are exceptional and again, a recommendation from our bartender brought nothing but smiles. We split the house made chips and onion dip, as we had just eaten, and it was a great splitter. The music was on point, and the atmosphere was a huge draw and was very appealing. What a fabulous place - I can see why it was one my dates fave spots in the city. Now it is one of mine as well.

Great service, bartender was very helpful in our beer selection...she knew her inventory. Venison chili was great. Nice place will definitely return

The wife and I stopped in after a concert as this place was close to our hotel. It was a good choice as the bartender was very good and had a very large selection of liquors at his disposal. He did a very good job at keeping the customers happy as he was alone and it was decently busy throughout. We didn't have any food, so can't comment on that, but will definitely be back for drinks.

Stopped in for a drink and small bite around 830 on Saturday night. Husband had the Old Fashion and I had the summer Manhattan. Both were about a 7/10. The young kid bringing us water and such did a fabulous job, I was never out of water. Bartenders were overextended because they (2) also waited all the tables. The fries with garlic aioli were amazing along with the dip and house-made ketchup. Ladies restroom was upstairs (non ADA), men’s was downstairs. Lighting was terrible, everyone was using their phone flashlight to read menu.

we went late at night. The burgers are amazing, the service was fast. It was a pretty nice gastro pub. I definitely want to go back.

I really like this little bar. Small, narrow space. Early 20th Century decor with decorative tile and such. A tad dive. The food was so-so. But the atmosphere is very inviting and relaxing. Our barkeep was quite nice, too. "International Cafe" is addedtothe name with tongue firmly in cheek.

We were lost and found this place by accident. There was a burger lunch special, service was quick and the food was wonderful.

Nice"r" dive bar in Old City

Small cozy place. Great lunch and cocktails. Had the pierogies as an appetizer and they were delicious.

Refurbishing kept the old style and the best parts of the old menu-the hamburgers. Good ambience, small and quaint, and now with smoking ended a very pleasant place to meet at the bar. stevetalis@verizon.net

This is a very cozy bar. The people are nice and the food is great. I had the Fish and Chips, and it was delicious. The wife had a toasted cheese Sandwich with Tomato soup and that was even better than mine. The Bar tenders where ver hospitable and knew what the heck they where doing behind the bar. Both of them Irish and sure can mix a cocktail. We where Drinking Manhattans most of the night and for the last Drink I had a French Drip. (Absinth) Did it in the traditional way and everything. Top notch bar tending. We will be going back again while we are here.

The bar is the most interesting in Old City. A group of us went for drinks and food. The burger was great and the Guinness was cold and fresh - the fries are amazing and the service was perfect. The music was first class as was the entire experience.

My friend and I dropped into this bar after eating a disappointing meal at a nearby restaurant. We took a chance, and so glad we found it. This place is really affordable by UK standards, we both had 3 cocktails each (plus a tip) and paid less than you'd pay for 2 in London. They have a great selection of drinks here. I went for The Gin, Vodka, and Rum. Both were crafted beautifully. One of my drinks was a little sour so I asked if he could make it sweeter and he did. It's always a good sign when the bartender is happy to make your drink perfect. This is a great place to head to if you want to have a chat with friends, the music isn't too loud and it wasn't overly busy. I didn't try the food but I would if I went back. Another point: I liked the fact that this place was spacious and you didn't feel that you were constantly on top of other people like you do at some bars.

On the way to celebrate our 40th Anniversary Dinner, we met the rest of our party at Sassafras. It is a great bar with wonderful old fashioned character in what must have been someone's elegant townhome. The tile work on the walls was hand painted in another era. The drink menu evokes days of romantic meetings over a lovely cocktail. My Moscow Mule is calling me back for another - vanilla vodka, ginger beer and lots of lime. They boast a wide selection of single malt scotches and interesting cocktails from a by-gone era. The warm, cozy and inviting atmosphere helps you unwind and enjoy selections from an eclectic menu featuring everything from Mongolian dumplings to a killer burger and must have sweet potato fries. This is a gem of a spot nestled in the heart of Olde city Philadelphia.

On a whistle stop tour of Philadelphia we popped in here for a drink and ended up staying a few hours. It's a really nice old school bar (complete with mounted stag) they bartenders were really friendly and happy to help. The ladies bathroom/restroom was something like I have never seen before! At first I thought I had walked into someone's living room, only to see a toilet in the corner with a sink! It was a very unusual and eccentric bathroom to say the least. There was live music whilst we were there with a chap on guitar and a chap on double bass which made us stay a few drinks longer than we originally intended. Great place to visit for a drink, didn't try the food.

Was ignored when we entered and sat at the bar. Finally a guy arrived and served us water and we ordered wine. They were out of both selections. In the meanwhile the guy who had been behind the bar the entire time we waited jumped to serve another group with an inebriated woman that arrived after us. Sad because it was recommended by a bartender at another place.

My husband and I just happened to walk in to this place but we loved it! We were starving so i got the tomatoe soup and cheese on sourdough. It was amazing. It had apricot and onions on it which sounds awful but is really good.husband had steak sandwich and fries. He was quite happy with his meal! We loved the history and ambiance pf the place. The bartender was a real sweetheart and shared the history of the bar and place. And yes....the ladies bathroom is large. We will go back! Do i!!!

Expectations are meet here. Old Philly is still alive and well. The atmosphere is such that you expect Benjermin Franklin to stroll in any minute Choices of whiskey abound along with draft craft beer. Cozy joint for sure.

Our first night in Philly, later in the eve after a long flight, we selected this place because it was convenient to our hotel. Never been to Philadelphia and this was our culinary baptism. Little disappointed. Food was pub style and little effort was made to enhance the quality of the servings. Pub food need not be greasy and tasteless. Decent pub food is worth the effort. probably a bad night. This restaurant doesn't need us as customers.

The food and drinks were prepared to perfection. My congratulations to the chef and bartender for preparing an excellent dinner and drinks. We were a party of three, celebrating a special occasion. We started with the appetizers; their special of the evening was green tomatoes staffed with goat cheese and spinach and we also ordered pierogies. Both appetizers were tasty. I especially liked the staffed tomatoes. The dinner choices are also excellent. Some times bar food is not the best feature of a bar. However, this place offers exceptional meals and drinks. I highly recommend this bar if you are visiting Philadelphia. It is a small place with a few tables. So get there early to get a table, or there is always room at the bar.

We stayed in a hotel the night before a surgery at a Philadelphia hospital. We stayed at a hotel close to Sassafras and decided to wander around and look for a place to eat. We stumbled upon Sassafrasbar and we could not have been happier. They had live entertainment. The downstairs is small and narrow, and has a city feel for sure which is awesome. The burgers were delicious. The servers were great! I would highly recommend the burgers for a quick meal. They were reasonably priced too!

Headed to this bar for its cocktails advised by the internet. No disappointed at all, awesome choice of drinks shouldered by the quality of its products. The food was also great and tasteful. Thank you

This place is a gem! A great cocktail menu, great ambiance and great servers. I loved it so much we visited each day of our trip and I look forward to coming back again. If you like Gin try the Gypsy Eyes!

I have to start with a positive: I loved my waiter/bartender. He was very friendly, funny, and competent. That is the end of anything positive I can say about this place. Oh, and the women's bathroom is nice and bigger than my apartment. The restaurant smells awful - like a bathroom, in fact. My water had two black pellets in it. The sweet potato fries were hard and crunchy and flavorless. There are so many great places to eat in Old City. This, unfortunately, isn't one of them.

II was walking along 2nd Street looking for a place that wasn’t extremely crowded, not asking for a cover charge or overrun by 20somethings. Not an easy feat on a Saturday night in an area known for its nightlife. I passed by Sassafras many times but have never gone in. It’s an unassuming place and easy to miss. There a narrow doorway that you can easily miss if you’re not really looking. I did not eat here; I only came to have a drink. I came to the right spot for that! I was pleasantly surprised to see that the bartenders were wearing white jackets with ties. That gave it an upscale and old-school feel at the same time. Seating is right and there aren’t many tables. The whole look and décor gave it an antique New Orleans feel. I wouldn’t be surprised if the place was haunted. On to the drinks. I also get leery when I hear the term “craft cocktails” which usually mean overpriced weak drinks that take forever to get. That was not the case here. They are certainly craft cocktails and are what should be looked to as an example. I had a pomegranate martini. I know that sounds mundane, but it wasn’t your typically deep red sugary drink. It was a blush color, sufficiently strong had a perfect balance of alcohol, tartness and sweetness. My friend had a drink called a Root Canal, which was some type of gin drink. Both drinks were served in martini glasses. The drinks aren’t exactly on the cheap side at $12.00 each but they are worth it.

I ordered the grilled cheese and tomato soup. While the soup had a delicious flavor, it was served lukewarm. The grill cheese contained a lovely combination of caramelized onions and apricot jam. However, the yellow cheese was clumped in the center of the bread, and the bread was not buttered or oiled before it was grilled. Therefore, I was eating dry, slightly burnt bread with my lukewarm soup. Also, be warned that the on-line menu is not up to date.