15 Best Bars in Philadelphia | Condé Nast Traveler

"Charlie's Prohibition theme hits you immediately: How could it not, what with the dark walls, dim lighting, pendant chandeliers, and brass bartop? In the dining area at the back, a projection machine flashes old news clippings, black-and-white photos, and scenes from vintage films. Whether or not you buy into the schtick, the moody vibe and modest square footage are romantic and inviting. What's more, the F&B works overtime to offer a complete menu, full of carnivore-deceiving winners like meatless meatballs, and drinks that, while a little theatrical (yup, they're lighting applewood chips on fire inside that glass), deliver on flavor and creativity. Nothing is ever without purpose: Every cocktail name contains a literary element or historical reference that plays off the Prohibition theme; ingredients are carefully sourced from different local farming co-ops to ensure quality and freshness; commitment to vegan cuisine even extends to the cocktails (the Penicillin, for example, incorporates agave instead of honey). If you can, try to sit at the bar: Mathias Bable, one of Charlie's most seasoned bartenders, has serious cocktail-shaking chops and the ability to strike up a conversation that'll your experience one to remember." - Katie James Watkinson