This is probably one of my favorite bars in Philly. Don't leave this one out! The bar itself is a throw back in time to the Prohibition Era. The decor is awesome, laid back, and comfortable. The bartenders are amazing at what they do and are have no problem filling you in on their secrets. Several kinds of bitters, clear ice, water cups always filled. They take the time to do it right the first time. I trusted the bartenders choice three times when I was only planning on having one drink and moving on. Look for the RED light on Ranstead Street! read more

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Over priced over crowded, overly loud. The alley leading to this place is dark and not well lit . It has loud homeless people and it just breathes of unsafe conditions. The bouncer stays inside instead of outside so if something happened to you good luck to you. There are plenty of other options if you are in Philly 1500 midnight at the wicked, Hop sin laundromat 1029 Race St Save your money this place is not it read more

This was the coolest speakeasy I'd ever been to! I loved the "secret door" vibe, with the bouncer looking you over to see if you'll get in. We went on probably the rainiest night over, and was looking for somewhere to dry off, and get wet lol. So this was the perfect place to go. For our first round of drinks, we had the bartender choose, and after asking us our likes, dislikes, and allergies, we each got our take on an old fashioned. Mine was strong, with the slightest hint of sweetness, while my dates drink was more on the traditional side. For our second drink, I opted for a daiquiri type drink, and my date got something fruity, but strong. His drink was AMAZING. You could taste the blueberry and lemon, and I wish I could've taken it with me. We also ordered the Ranstead Trail Mix, which was super tasty, and we had our own little private section of the bar to ourselves. I'll definitely come back! read more

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good service & amazing drinks! Got the bartender's choice and he did such a good job crafting a refreshing drink to my liking read more

The Ranstead Room - Bartender's choice - Lounges Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Decently expensive. The bar seats are so close you are touching each other. We tried to get a reservation and they said they didn't take reservations; however, when we arrived they said that we could only get bar seating as the tables were reserved? The bar tender was very nice and I ordered a bar tenders choice which was nice but I'm not sure if it was worth $22. It is a nice quiet place to have a date night and maybe to splurge. read more

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Unfortunately this is not a speakeasy in the hidden passage way and more just hard to find. The first time we got here it was over an hour wait so we came back during a weekday and it was only 20 minute wait. Once we got in the atmosphere was pretty spot on. The warm lighting, old paintings, and comfy seating really made it feel like sn axtual speakeasy despite the entrance. The staff was friendly and gave us a dealers choice coctail that seemed fresh and bright. While the coxtsils were pricy, I could see this being a really good special ocarion date spot especially if you have a reservation. read more

The Ranstead Room - Lounges Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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This ambiance here so very cool, dim lights, sitting by candlelight. Its very romantic and makes you feel like you stepped into a speakeasy from back in the day. If I didnt know the door was for the speakeasy I would have walked on by. The drinks are fantastic. There isnt food here except a few small snacks like olives and popped corn. Perfect for a date night and drinks with friends. I would say its bettwr for smaller groups. read more

The Ranstead Room - Drinks - Lounges Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Came here early on a Saturday night for a few cocktails before dinner. We arrived at opening. She asked if we had a reservation when we checked in. When we entered the bar, it was empty. Before our cocktails arrived, it filled up quickly. We got two "Constant Vacation" drinks!! Drinks were delicious. I absolutely loved the ambiance. The red sensuous decor added to the vibe. Putting this place in my rotation for when in Philly. read more

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They won't seat you until your whole party is there. This includes the bar (no standing). We had to wait about 20 minutes at 11pm on a Thursday night in June. There's maybe 8 seats at the bar? And about 8 tables (most seat 2). I ordered the Citizen Cane (tequila, artichoke, sugar cane, lime, mint). The presentation was sensational - my straw came wrapped around a glow stick!!!(??). It was tasty and refreshing. Be sure to check out the art on the walls ;) sexy yet subtle! read more

One of the more pretentious places I've ever had the displeasure of attending. Table for 3 was told would be 40 minutes. One of our party ended up having to leave as it ended up being over 60 minutes. When we showed back up after getting the text and informed them that it would be only 2 of us we were met with an "ohhhh yeah well now it's gonna be longer". If there was room for 3 how was there not room for 2? I'd imagine they answer the phone at this place with a "This is Ranstead Room, you're welcome" greeting read more

Gorgeous and sexy spot. I absolutely love the feel of this place. We came on a Monday evening. It started to fill up at 8. I had the flip. And a chefs pick. We loved our drinks! read more

Very vibey speakeasy spot tucked behind El Rey. It was busy on a Friday night. We put our name in for a table and went elsewhere while we waited about an hour and a half for a table. Matthew was our server, and I tried The Bartender's Choice cocktail, where your server asks you several questions to discern which drink to make for you. I ended up with the Appertiki Smash. I'm not a big cocktail fan, but this was a fun experience and a good drink. read more

The Ranstead Room - Appertiki Smash (left) - Lounges Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

A bit of a hike from Billy Penn and Center City, but totally worth it. The vibe....man oh man, the vibe. Lux 60's lounge, with a banging OG funk and soul mix playing. Our server was sweet and totally on point in guiding my companion to a cocktail mixed just for them. The only real letdown is there's no buzzer or secret entrance, just a friendly hostess inside the door. read more

Place has wonderful cocktails. Good selection with an option to let the bartender try something out. Staff are friendly, too, for what that's worth. The vibe is nice, although maybe just a smidge heavy on the titty decor. Just, like, one less pair of boobs would help, or maybe mix in an ass cheek. read more

Beautiful speakeasy-style bar! The cocktails were delicious! I got the bartender's choice and was brought a drink that fit my exact tastes and preferences. Would highly recommend checking it out. Just make sure you come in early to put your name down for the waitlist as spots fill up quick. read more

The Ranstead Room - Lounges Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

I haven't explored many speakeasies and so I went with a friend to check this place out. Despite it being a late weeknight, it was still pretty packed but were were lucky to get in without a reservation. The atmosphere is pretty dark and calm inside, so it's nice for a date or conversation between two people. I wouldn't recommend a group larger than 4 people. Drinks were pretty top-notch. Some options ran out but there was still plenty to choose from. The bartenders can also make custom drinks on request, so my friend and I went with tiki drinks. The drinks were perfectly balanced and fit the mood of the night. You can easily go through a few without knowing how much you had. The only downside about this bar is that there aren't many whiskey offerings, but this isn't a whiskey bar either. Otherwise, it's an amazing speakeasy worth visiting. read more

The Ranstead Room - Custom tiki cocktail that tasted amazing! - Lounges Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Best service I've had in years. Tasty drinks and an overall, great vibe. I love everything about this place!

Overall: hot damn the speakeasy itself looks amazing with the unique artwork and tucked in location. The drinks were out of this world. The bartenders (Nico and Rito) are cooking up a wide variety of extremely unique cocktails that are all worth trying. Drinks: over the course of two days my favorite drink was the Daquiri #3. You can tell the immense quality and creativity that goes into the drinks in the small details. For example Nico used a blowtorch to set a cinnamon stick on fire to create a smokey effect for the tiki cup to simulate a volcano eruption. Similarly you poured a specific type of vodka onto a lime before flambé-ing it and was very specific with which handle he used off the shelf to blend the flavor profile with the drink. One drink off menu that I really enjoyed was the Bramble with the blackberry(?) flavor that was a sweet berry flavor that I would order with or without the alcohol. Ambience/Decor/Service: the bartenders to a superb job of tending to everyone at the bar in a timely manner being cognizant of refilling water cups as well as getting drink orders. Likewise they're not eager to push anyone out to attract more customers focusing on conversing with their customers rather than increasing their volume. read more

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There truly is something magical about the atmosphere at Ranstead Room, and I'm so glad I sat at the bar solo to really take it all in this past weekend. I was thrilled they had a single bar seat available at around 9:15 on a Friday, and immediately took note of all the things that go into making this a next level sexy date night spot. Super dark, great booth and bar seating, nudes on the wall, and a beautifully appointed bar. Cocktails range from $17-$20 so if you're there for more than one...be prepared to throw down some cash and leave, well, drunk. My "stop the wedding" cocktail drank like a meal and I totally savored every sip. The citrus with the deep whiskey flavor and bitters made this unlike any cocktail I've had in awhile, and I also appreciate a LOT of aromatics, which this drink has in droves (burnt cinnamon, herbs, etc). Bartenders are amazing and service is speedy. Tables and seats do turn over pretty quick so wait it out if you're really looking to enjoy this spot. Looking forward to making this a great special occasion spot and highly recommend a stop if you're looking for a great cocktail! read more

The Ranstead Room - Lounges Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Such a fun place to check out in Philadelphia, if you can find it! Fun cocktails, great quick service and nice atmosphere. The main entrance is in the alleyway, so if you get dropped off and you think it's the wrong place, it's probably right! We came on a Tuesday night not knowing what to expect, but it was a nice find. Servers were attentive, drinks were fast and beautifully presented. I got a mule and a white russian, both as a riff and they did not disappoint. read more

The Ranstead Room - Beautiful cocktails - Lounges Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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This was my first time at a speak easy and I only have high expectations from here on out! The atmosphere is dark and sexy. Drinks are more on the expensive side, but they are worth every penny. They are delicious and you will definitely leave tipsy. My friend and I tried the Bartender's choice where our waiter asked us a few questions of what liquor and type of drink we like (ex. refreshing, fruity, dark), and if we have any allergies or aversions. Our drinks that we got were exactly what we asked for and the bartender did not miss. I would recommend trying to get here early or as soon as it opens. There are limited tables and bar space inside. We showed up 10 min after opening and we were put on a waitlist for an 1hour and 15 minutes. The wait time was accurate and we were able to still have a great time here! read more

Went here for some drinks with friends and I absolutely adored the lowkey vibes. Drinks were delicious and service was amazing read more

The Ranstead Room - Lounges Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Well it looks like I am the last person in the city of Philadelphia to realize that The Ranstead Room is an absolute GEM of a speakeasy and cocktail bar. I'm honestly embarrassed that it has taken me this long to check it out and review the RR. A few minutes after 7 PM on a Friday night and there was already a line to get in. We waited a few minutes and a hostess popped her head outside to ask how many were in our party. Luckily, the other half of our party was inside holding down the bar area. The hostess quickly escorted us inside, up some stairs, and through a doorway into the cozy little cocktail lounge that is The Ranstead Room. Now I had previously met bartender extraordinaire Nico and learned that he was perfecting the daiquiri. He showed me videos of the sugar cane press and spoke of using the entire lime to make juice. I knew that I needed to try one of those damn daiquiris. My friends and I immediately ordered one each and as soon as we tasted it, we knew that this is definitely worth of the 'best daiquiri in Philadelphia' title. You can seriously taste the freshness of the ingredients! After the round of daiquiris we decided we'd each taste a different cocktail on the menu. I really enjoyed the 'You're Doing Great' because I'm obsessed with pomegranate and ginger beer. I would have never thought to put them together myself! Another menu favorite was the 'Fernet Con Coca' which was the most gorgeous take on a cherry coke in the entire world. I have thought about it every single day since I tasted it. When I return next, I will definitely take advantage of the 'Bartender's Choice' option, because how cool is that?! You get asked a series of questions about your preferences and then served a cocktail to your liking. Some logistical tips about RR, it's located directly behind El Rey, on (surprise, surprise) Ranstead Street. There is a discreet red door with the letters RR on it. That's the one you're looking for! The space inside is smaller, so get there early. The food menu isn't large, but there are smaller snack options. Lastly, I will say that an evening at Ranstead Room is on the pricey side but you are certainly paying for the quality. The staff is incredible and the space is gorgeous. read more

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Decided to go to a speakeasy for my birthday, as I had never been. Wait time is quite long but makes sense once you're in there because it really is quite tucked away. Lighting was so dark it was hard to see. I would probably go back here however now that I know to expect a long wait time and prices. The drink menu was very interesting and you can tell the bartenders take pride in their work because for $20 you can say what you like and they will make you a custom cocktail. read more

Such a cute spot for some drinks! Loved the ambiance and the drinks! The service was great as well - would definitely be coming back read more

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One of the top speakeasies I have been to - even compared to NYC. The host was absolutely amazing and so nice, and accommodated us at another preferred time since this was our last night in Philly and we really wanted to try this place out. The servers were nice but the drinks were out of this world. So good, had a combination of flavors that I have personally never even had before. The decor and ambiance was so nice and perfect for a date night or small intimate group. Would recommend this place for sure, but the only roadblock might be the long wait and lines, so make sure to write your name before going to another bar or restaurant. read more

Very nice in here, cool little spot for a quick drink! I stopped in during the week. It's small but quiant read more

First time here in a really long time. Excellent spot for a good cocktail and chill vibes. Service was quick and efficient. Drinks were great quality and the atmosphere is too notch. Dim lighting and close quarters make for an intimate feel. Always worth a stop if you can get it. read more

The Ranstead Room - Cocktail Menu - Lounges Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Had so much fun in this very dark back alley bar. Pretty small space but they definitely don't overcrowd the room which is really nice. We waited 15 minutes for a table for 3 on a thursday but I've heard it's a lot worse on weekends. My drink was delicious but $20 but answering the questions for the bartenders choice was very fun. Will be back and it will just be to enjoy the vibes and yap read more

The Ranstead Room - Bartenders Choice - Lounges Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Great atmosphere and vibes. Drinks were also amazing and service was impressive. Great spot!

Bathroom Review: Type: Private Room Faucet: Manual Soap: Soap bottles and automatic soap dispenser Hand Drying Apparatus: automatic paper towel dispenser TP / Seat Covers: no seat covers Tampons/Pads: no tampons/pads Lighting: dim Smell: no smell Grime Level: moderate General Notes: NA read more

These cocktails are great Off menu OR free style* All incredible *asked for an alcoholic cherry coke and was not disappointed read more

We came in as two women excited to experience this bar, but were immediately met with mansplaining, rigidness and condescension by the male bartender when we asked for the bartender's choice. As soon as I started to describe what I like, he interrupted me and said things to us like "I ask the questions here," "this is not how it works," and otherwise tried to make us feel like he was the only one who understood how to make a good cocktail (though he only understood two categories of main cocktails). He kept shutting us down and forced us into his limited 2 profile, this or that narrative. As someone who frequents the top 50 conde naste cocktail bars and loves a good bespoke cocktail (shoutout to attaboy and other top bars) this was highly insulting. When we asked for an alternative bartender, he was dismissive and said he was the only one when multiple other bartenders were present. He clearly seemed like he could only make a small repertoire of drinks and had to force us to follow his rubric. This was so disappointing given the high reviews. This establishment needs to take a hard look at the cocktail "experts" behind their bar. Some respect and skill is highly needed. Hostility shouldn't be the norm. Positive notes: the hostess was so friendly and the space was cute. Wish we got to enjoy it. read more

The drinks are great here but it is very very dark. So dark it's hard to see each other and read the menus lol. The menu was much larger than I was expecting with a lot of offerings. The space is small though so plan accordingly. You can either try to go to the bar directly by finding the door located next to the red light on Ranstead street. Or go to dinner at the front restaurant (el Rey) and ask if they can get you on the wait list. read more

I LOVE this place so much and I can't believe I've only just discovered it! The atmosphere was intimate and relaxed, service was attentive, but most importantly, the drinks were delicious!! We arrived right at 7P and there were already a few parties waiting in front of us, they seated people slowly but worth the bit of a wait. There's a drink for every taste (my personal favorite of the ones I tried was Deathbed). We ended the night with the Bartender's Choice (the only question our server asked us was what alcohol we wanted) - we ended up with a delicious and fun drink, and they brought out 2 glasses so that we could share the drink! Can't wait to come back again! read more

The Ranstead Room - Drinks - Lounges Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Amazing ambiance and fantastic drinks. It is exactly what you want from a speakeasy, super dark and funky. The service was flawless. read more

The Ranstead Room - Lounges Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Such a cute place. Feels like speakeasy with very limited number of seats so really intimate. It is super dark in there so definitely a place to go if you don't want to be able to see each other Drinks are pretty good and picturesque! read more

The Ranstead Room - Lounges Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

First time at a speakeasy. A little difficult to find (but I guess that's the point) just behind the gps address in the alley but the ambiance was beautiful! Drinks were great. Hoping to sit at the bar next time to mingle with the bartender, but I will be back! read more

The Ranstead Room - Cocktail came with a side of Prosecco - Lounges Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

These late nights speakeasy vibes are from the low key @theransteadroom in center city Philadelphia. This dope low key spot is very chill and it's perfect for a chill nightcap. The bathrooms are really clean with dope art on the walls. While here, I had the liberty of trying the "Pull up, Sucia" cocktail . This cocktail was absolutely amazing. The salt was perfect for this cocktail. I also tried the pickles and popcorn just for a table snack. If your ever want a dope low key night cap spot please check out @theransteadroom and please let them know shimmy sent you! #foodie #foodblogger #philadelphia #philly #drinks #speakeasy #dope #chillvibes #vibes #tequila #drink read more

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The address is to the front of the building but the entrance is in an alleyway filled with trash. Came here for a Friday night when visiting. Got there at 10:45 and it was a 2 hour wait for 2-3 people. I have no idea what it looks like inside or how the drinks taste because we immediately left. Don't waste your time coming here if you're not going when they open. read more