The drinks were great and the limited bar menu was very good, but the service was abysmal. I was there with two girlfriends. There were two bartenders and a server, but they ignored our table throughout our stay. Our second order of fries and our request for more flatbread took over half an hour. After they ignored us for the meal, they began asking us every two minutes to ask if we were done yet. When we complained, they comped us for the second order of furies and for the extra flatbread which -- you are warned -- otherwise would have cost $3.00. When our redone bill came our separate bills did not reflect the $9.00 discount and the sever went away and came back saying that the total was extra tax. We pointed out to him that the tax had already been charged. Not really apologetic, he went away with bills that were finally correct. Never again! read more

Best craft cocktail bar in town. Ask for a whiteLady or Pisco sour. Graham and Matt are two of the best drink specialist in rittenhouse, they can make you any cocktail of your choice, even drinks not on the menu. Do try the honey custard from dessert menu and the charred octopus from starter, it is simply delicious. read more

We came here one night when Franklin Mortgage was "busy" and I'm glad we stopped in. Besides the killer playlist, the bartender was fantastic! She gave me a classier version of a seven and seven (an upscale bourbon and seven instead) and she made my husband the perfect Manhattan. She was very well-versed regarding mezcal, too. They don't have a huge beer list, but come on...this is a cocktail spot. It was a little tight in here, but I dug the vibe and the mature, yet vibrant crowd. read more

Servers were unwelcoming and slow. We ordered an appetizer that never came and was not acknowledged. There was only one other group at bar other than us with 2 bartenders . When my husband had his empty wine glass sitting there for 20 minutes the bartender said are you ok in a condescending tone . Ummm maybe ask he if wants another drink since it's a bar! I would never go back here read more

Great drinks! The bartenders are really knowledgeable and friendly. A friend and I recently came in to have a few drinks before his big move to Australia, he said he would try to remake the carrot one when he is settled in; I think its called The New Black. It was a great drink! I've been here a few times before and I've never been impressed by the food; hence, the one star missing. read more

The cocktails were good and inventive. The actual bar is very small. There are a few tables, and a raw bar, connected to the main bar, with waiter service. I would have preferred to order from a bartender. It was an odd experience to sit at the bar (the raw bar is connected) and not be able to order from the bartender. This resulted in us staring at our drinks on the service bar for several minutes before our server brought them to us. I liked the varied options on the cocktail menu (very speakeasy-esque, though they do have vodka cocktails). The wine list is also good, but expensive. read more

I came here with six friends for New Year's Eve barhopping around 10pm. We were lucky that seats opened up at the bar soon after we walked in. I got the Orange Catholic from the seasonal cocktail menu and a bartender's choice. Both drinks were good but a bit on the pricey side, about $35 total with tax and tip. The bartender was nice and joked with us. There were three bartenders and all were quick with getting orders out read more

Happy hour isn't as happy as it could be. Bartender wasn't as happy as he could be. Not sure I'll be sprinting back.

I live near by. I am new to the area. I always wanted to stop in. Whenever I looked in the window, the bar was full. Tonight, i saw my opportunity! After a particularly long day at work (walking home at 9), I peeked in the window! Yes! Time for one before I go home. Well, one became two... The bartender, Paul, was so engaging, friendly, and knowledgeable. He knew which guests wanted company and which ones wanted to be left alone. A trait I respect in a bartender. On to me... I wanted one drink... I good, flavorful, flavors layered, time-to-get-sleep drink. After asking me about my preferences, we decided "Derivative" was it. And, I'm so glad we did. Complex flavors layered, yet, upfront for you to know it's genuine. Side note: Nicole, the server for tables, is delightful, engaging, and diligent. So, after talking with Paul about a myriad of things, I decided to have a nightcap- his choice. Although I prefer the Derivative, I am glad I had one more of Paul's masterpieces. Definitely will be back! read more

Stopped in while visiting from out of town. All I can say is that I loved the vibe in this place. It is a chic neighborhood bar where the bartenders and servers were hip, welcoming, and helpful. I enjoyed a fine martini made with a delicious local gin and a dry as bone rose wine. For nibbles, I slurpped down six sweet and salty Atlantic oysters on a half shell and devoured a small tin of their wonderful fries. If you are in the Rittenhouse area, stop in to this place! read more

a.location should be the real name. The drink menu is solid but expensive. The people were much less pretentious than I was expecting. If you want to grab a drink on a date and want to pretend you have taste and appreciate the finer things, a.bar is a good spot for you. I for one am fine paying $3 less for my drink at a place like Pub & Kitchen, but I didn't mind the atmosphere they had in a.bar. Felt like a nice hotel bar. read more

My Favorite bar. Great drinks but the size of a drink can increase and the price can decrease a bit :P

Nice little place. Extensive cocktail and wine list. Staff was very friendly and helpful. Its decorated nicely but the space is a little tight. Good if you want grab a drink with a friend but I'd avoid large groups. read more

{Sigh}. To live in Philly again and have bars like this. I loved it here last night. This is an intimate, well-stocked bar with extremely knowledgeable and talented bartenders. Paul in particular really won us over. Try the "Left Hand" (bourbon, Campari, vermouth and chocolate bitters) - it tasted like grown-up dessert in a glass. At first I questioned whether they should add more bourbon to their selection, but Paul made a good point - this is a cocktail bar, so you're more likely to find unique liquors like Cynar than your favorite rocks or neat brand spirit. Go with it, trust the bartender, and enjoy! read more

Stopped in for a drink before dinner. Packed bar, cool vine, (overly) sweet bourbon drink. It was "Merely A Line," and ot be honest, I didn't recognize all of the additions to it. Really, just saw bourbon and went with it. It was sweet, but expertly crafted after further review. I need to visit again for a more serious write-up. But so far so good. read more

Really expensive. I went here for happy hour with my friends and we barely got a space at the bar because there was an event there taking up 75% of the rest of the restaurant. Since we arrived a few minutes after happy hour ended, we had to pay full price. For my two friends and I, we bought a few oysters, three small plates, and three drinks and spent close to $100. For that price we could have gone somewhere and gotten full meals, dessert, and drinks. We were still hungry after so we ended up going to the pizza place around the corner and buying a whole pie (for only $15, might I add.) Great ambiance in here and a good place to get a drink. read more

Lindsay, Jessica, and Tyler pegged it. There is simply nothing remarkable about this place except for their high prices. I LOVE oysters but found their 1.50 Happy Hour oysters to be less remarkable than most I've had in Colorado. I wouldn't say this place is bad but I will not be returning. read more

The service is outstanding inside this cozy, urban bar. Want to try something new and different, ask and you shall receive...amazing mixologists! read more

Solely based off cocktails as we didn't eat; this place kills it. We were massive fans of Society Hill Society drinks and wondered where those bartenders went upon its closure when we stumbled into a.bar and found our favourite one! Paul is a master mixologist and his drinks knowledge and flair for ingredients is amazing. Delighted we can now get our mezcal fix a few blocks from home and by an expert. Don't focus on the menu, simply tell him what type of drinks you like and he'll nail it. You won't be disappointed! read more

Great intimate corner bar to grab a quiet cocktail. Drinks are well made, service is good, seating is first come first serve.

Came here last night for a nightcap. Reminded me of a great bar back in NYC. Friendly and knowledgeable staff, delicious and strong drinks, and good ambiance. Will definitely be back! read more

This place is in a gorgeous location! I stopped in today at 4:30...their sign says open at 4:00, it also says happy hour 4:00-6:00P. I sat at the bar (only one other customer in there at the time) it took the bartender forever to even acknowledge me. He finally comes over and slaps a menu down, says nothing and goes back to cleaning. I waited for him to look-up to ask what the happy hour options are. He rolls his eyes and rattled off some items and then goes back to cleaning. The one customer not the bartender recommended the Aperol Sprizter to me. It looked delicious! I wait...and I wait...and wait some more...bartender just ignores me. I am ended up walking out, I guess I will never know how tasty that spritz is. I am really disappointed the service at A.Bar...it is not hard to be welcoming or friendly. Rolling your eyes at me for asking about happy hour is unacceptable. If ya'll don't want people to enjoy it, then don't have it. I will not be back and nor would I suggest this place to anyone. read more

I'm not sure what Benjamin B. was talking about... a local bartender recommended we come here, and it did not disappoint. Kevin was amazing, talked shop about the bourbon selection and even gave us a taste of a rare rye they had in stock. Excellent cocktails (I recommend the Toronto) and solid craft beer list (NB: I'm not a wine drinker). Overall great vibe and design to the place, friendly servers and bartenders, and truly inventive and original cocktail list (even their "classics" were new to me). read more

I would give this place 0 stars if I could. Never have I experienced such rude snooty Bartenders in my life. The staff was completely rude and stuck up with their noses so high in the air they couldn't see straight. They were more worried about eating behind the bar and high fiving each other. The bartender with the big beard was the worst, rolling his eyes and acting annoyed at customers. I will NEVER come back to this place and I have already made sure to tell people how unworthy of your business this place is. They need to get a grip and get their heads out of their asses. I'll take my money to one of 1,000 of bars around it. read more

Went here for lunch today. It was a ray of sunshine on a snowy cold day. The wine selection was amazing. Oysters were fresh and large. We both had the a.burger cooked to perfection. I can't wait to come back and try the cocktails. A women was raving about a pisco sour and I must return to try it. read more

I didn't want to wait to get into my usual spot, Franklin Mortgage & Investment Co., so I checked this place out. My bartender was highly knowledgeable and so attentive and kind. She recommended a drink based on the info I gave her and it was absolutely perfect and just what I was in the mood for. I didn't order food, but 5 stars for cocktails and service. read more

Such a nice bar. Small but crisp with good music and great mixologists. They know their stuff and will not steer you wrong with the cocktails. I'm not a big fan of seafood but the old bay fries were nice and crispy and salty. Perfect with my drink. What a great place to just get a drink early in the afternoon by people who know how to make one. Expensive but cocktails usually are. Tria is just a couple of blocks away if you want wine. Staff is friendly. read more

We're from New York where there's nothing but crowds. Very clean here and calm. Excellent cocktails and service.

Get the money printing press going if you're coming here for a drink. They recently changed their stemware which includes smaller glasses but with drinks at the same price. For $16 I expect a martini to be more than three sips. Totally disappointed. You may be in the high rent district but walk one block west to Smith & Wollenskys and get a real pour for the same money. In fact, walk one block in any direction and you'll get a decent drink for a decent price. If you want sissy stemware for undersized, over priced drinks you've found the right place. If not, pull out your smart phone and look for any other bar within one block in any direction and satisfy your libations with a much better place than a.Bar. read more

Nice location, and the woman that helped with my reservation was great as we were a large group. I will say the menu reflects the location... Prices are more. I do wish for wine week they would have had a twist to the selection, but overall the wine was good and grilled octopus a must try. read more

Definitely have The Thinking Machine...you won't regret it. Had the oysters too which made for a good combination.

A great place to stop on the way home for a drink. The bartenders are excellent, Dan is a master craftsman. The place has a great vibe, but is not so loud you can't have a conversation with the attractive person sitting next to you. read more

Good cocktails but Bartender was very unfriendly. She did become friendlier towards tip time. read more

Truly AMAZING experience! Daniela is a coffee drink genius! We asked for a Bailey's & coffee but they didn't have Bailey's- and we're so glad they didn't. She mixed her take on the coffee drink, paired it with her own whipped cream concoction and nailed it! We enjoyed it with the chocolate tart and together it was truly awesome! This is a must stop when you're in Philly! read more

This is the worst bar I have ever been in Philly. Bartender Lessie refused to serve me a drink after I had only one before. Forget that I was waiting 30 min to get her attention and to hear that I can't have another one. Couple next to me said same thing. They stopped serving them as well. Gentelman who sat on the other side said same thing that they refuse making drinks all the time here. After reading some of the reviews I see that it happens there all the time. Cocktails are expensive if you want to go out and have few drinks make sure you have 100$ to spend. If Lessie or kevin or other bartender will even feel like to make you another drink. Stuff was very rude and unprofessional. For a bar on Rittenhouse square I would expect to be classy. But not that bar. There were only 10 people on Saturday night around the bar. I guess there is a clear reason right here why this bar is not crowded. I will never go there ever again or recommend this place to anyone. I would give zero stars if I could. read more

Unfriendly waiter during the holidays. Loud, uncouth customers in the next booth - bragging incessantly. Teeny tiny drinks. Forget it. Go ANYwhere else. read more

This my first review and I made a yelp account just to leave it. I just had a really disappointing experience here. I went in after a long shift at work (I'm a nurse) because I wanted a good glass of wine (which I know they have ), and a burger (also knew they had that). The service was so sad. I was alone, and sat for quite some time before someone helped me, then after he asked my order he proceeded to make 3 cocktails for the party sitting next to me before pouring my glass of wine (these are intense cocktails-- they take a long time). I think this was accentuated by the fact that I was alone and clearly wasn't part of the party who he was making his special drinks for. Finally, his partner bar tender asked what I had ordered and poured me my glass of wine. It was quite nice. Then, my burger came-- not good at all. I wasn't expecting the burger to be amazing but I was expecting it to be on par with philly standards, definitely not the case. The bread was hard and the meat charred. AND they don't have any kind of mayonnaise for fries (3 year olds dip fries in ketchup, adults dip fries in mayonnaise--preferably a home made one). Then, it was time to ask for my check. I asked the woman who had so kindly gotten my wine when I had been neglected-- right after I asked her,though, she disappeared. For a long time. So I asked the bartender who had originally forgotten about me. My bill came, $37. The wine was worth all $12 but the burger (which is $18) wasn't worth $4. Normally, I'm quite open to paying this much at a nice bar, but I would think the servers and bar tenders would at least be friendly (and, truthfully, when I'm alone that's kind of what I'm paying for) I will not be going back which is a shame bc they have nice wines and (apparently) amazing cocktails. read more

I wouldn't eat here again I figure I try the place since it's restaurant week the staff treated me differently because I'm black .the waiter never checked on my food I had to ask 3 times 4 ice water with lime .the seating inside is odd never again read more

Everything about this place is great. We started out at a table and I believe our servers name was Kevin. He was truly great and anticipated everything that we needed throughout the night. Not only was he a great server the bartender ran out to get something at one point an he jumped behind the bar and made our drinks. They were fantastic. The food was great we just heard a new chef is coming on and the menu was somewhat small but everything was really good. I don't understand why people say this place is pretentious because it's anything but. The staff was delightful and it's smack in the middle of rittenhouse. Overall great place with an even better staff read more

a.bar is a little intimidating from the outside and completely different once you are inside. The space is really cool and the bartender, Amy is just fabulous! She is very knowledgeable, friendly, warm and welcoming. She was a breathe of fresh air! Not to mention, the food and wine pairings she offered were just as great. Looking forward to going back again soon! read more