With talk of Prohibition already circling when Henry Clay Frick began planning for his grand hotel in 1910, he preemptively added an underground bar that would feature whiskey from his grandfather's Old Overholt distillery. The space, located underneath the lobby stairs of the Omni William Penn Hotel, was once a legitimate speakeasy. RB Cigar Bar & SpeakeasyĪuthenticity is in short supply for bars trying to emulate an almost century-old era, but Speakeasy has serious roots.
The club is open to non-members for a small cover fee, but Penn Society members enjoy perks like extended after-hours access, VIP areas, and member lockers that, in true prohibition spirit, allow you to have cocktails made with your own supply. The Cherry Way (featuring homemade cherry syrup) and The Phipps (featuring a homemade lavender syrup) are both standouts that highlight the bar's dedication to quality. Featuring high-end liquors and ingredients, the cocktail selection values quality over quantity but keeps its flavor profiles simple, with most cocktails containing less than five ingredients.
Penn Society relishes in its exclusivity by offering a thoughtful collection of wine on tap, a small collection of beers, and a cocktail program created by Corey Bardell. Upon entering through a sliding oak door and down an ivory white staircase, you'll find yourself surrounded by dark wood, plush leather sofas, and the smell of whiskey. Meat and PotatoesÄwelling beneath Ten Penny on 10th Street and Penn Avenue, this social club is both well-hidden and exclusive. While we can't give you the exact location of Commerce Bar, we can tell you that you can enjoy a glass of whiskey served alongside a Lil Chunky's Chicken Deluxe on some vintage china. Combinations are boundless and, with skilled bartenders at your command, every cocktail is bound to be a winner. That said, your favorite drink of the night could also be determined by a roll of the dice: you'll be given three dice (one spirit and two flavors) and a roll to determine what kind of drink the bartender will concoct. A split cocktail menu offers a selection of both era-appropriate drinks and new takes on classics like the Tariff Cocktail, which includes Cappelletti Aperitif, pineapple gomme, lime, salt, mezcal, pineapple rum, and bitters. In an alley in East Liberty, you'll find a door that leads to a warmly lit room reminiscent of an underground, Prohibition-era bar complete with vest- and bowtie-clad bartenders. In true Speakeasy style, Commerce Bar is only accessible to patrons willing to venture off of the beaten path.