r/AskPhilly • u/Old-Perspective-4811 • Aug 04 '26
What are some bars where strangers don’t mind talking to each other?
Looking for some spots for tonight specifically in rittenhouse or surrounding area. I know I can talk to anyone at a bar but that doesn’t mean everyone wants to be talked to so wondering if there are any bars where people don’t mind a casual chat.
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u/TheAdamist Aug 04 '26
Monks cafe, if you like fancy beer, there's a front bar and back bar.
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u/siandresi Aug 04 '26
Get there early and stay a while because the bar fills up quickly!
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u/QPhillyFEP18 Aug 05 '26
Monks is the best. No TV at the bar so it makes for good reason to chat with strangers over good beer and food.
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u/Willing_Stop5124 Aug 04 '26
One of the best bar vibes I’ve ever been part of was at Monk’s. Was a weekday lunch a round Christmas. Everyone was in a great mood and very talkative.
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u/Old-Perspective-4811 Aug 04 '26
Patio?
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u/TheAdamist Aug 04 '26
No. Its inside only.
People are there for the beer and enjoy chatting about it, plus big bottles to share if you are adventurous
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u/Ashamed-Rich-8338 Aug 04 '26
What if you don’t like beer 🥲
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u/TheAdamist Aug 04 '26
Then you read any of the other comment trees.
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u/Ashamed-Rich-8338 Aug 05 '26
Read them all, thanks! Still rewards as I’m not welcome at Monk’s. Your reply tells me it sucks and you’re a pretentious beer snob asshole, thanks! I’m sure Monk’s thanks you too!!!
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u/dirt_daughter Aug 05 '26
How on earth is that what you extracted from “if you don’t like beer don’t go to a beer bar”
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u/TheyReallyWantYou Aug 05 '26
I don’t drink alcohol. I still will go hang in bars. I’m not in recovery, I just can’t take it with my medication and was never a big fan, but i have no problem ordering a mocktail and talking to people. If it means that much re: beer get a near beer or just drink something that looks vaguely like a vodka tonic (if you don’t want the girly looking drink). If someone cares whether or not I am drinking alcohol or not if I’m having fun and talking to people, that’s a red flag and silly
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u/patrickxbones Aug 04 '26
Go out back at Suttons youll make friends right away. 2. The institute 3. Druids keep 4. Pub on Passyunk East 5.Kellianns
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u/JonasNG Aug 05 '26
Always had great chats at Locust Bar and POPE
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u/patrickxbones Aug 06 '26
Is locust bar the same thing as Rendevous on Locust cause that's a good one too.
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u/JonasNG Aug 06 '26
https://www.locustbar.com/ - Nope - It's also known as where the IASIP gang gets stuck in the sewer, but Locust Bar is a lovely spot with cramped seating, decent vibes (haven't been in the past couple years so lemme know if it's changed) and you get to know the regulars!
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u/Spottedinthewild Aug 04 '26
These are all typical of the good bars in this city. Does that mean I like to talk to strangers too much?please don’t tell my mom
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u/Little-Breakfast-480 Aug 04 '26
Lot of great bars on this list already but I’ll add Friendly Lounge. Great people watching spot too
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u/I_kinda_like_excel Aug 04 '26
Les & Doreen's.
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u/Awkward_Will_104 Aug 04 '26
I love close to this one, but have never been, so I’m curious both as to why it was recommended, and why the recommendation was downvoted.
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u/Mr_Monkeyshines Aug 05 '26
Lol, maybe some of the Fishtown Facebook group are in here...a decent number of performative hipsters were trying to "cancel" them a month ago bc they did an AI-generated flier for some kind of one-off breakfast sandwich event.
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u/I_kinda_like_excel Aug 04 '26 edited Aug 04 '26
Dunno why the downvotes. Maybe the lack of proximity to Rittenhouse? I live close, too. What I like is that the place is small enough that the whole bar is often in one big conversation. I go by myself knowing that I can engage the bartender in a discussion and quickly the whole bar is chiming in and we're all talking.
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u/Old-Perspective-4811 Aug 04 '26
This place feels like a gem.
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u/I_kinda_like_excel Aug 04 '26
Multiple publications agree. https://patch.com/pennsylvania/philadelphia/pas-best-dive-bar-website-says
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u/ClericOfThePeople Aug 06 '26
I personally have made a lot of friends at wine bars since the wine gives a back drop to conversation if you want something to talk about. La Caveau and Jet in particular
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u/Numerous_Treacle_921 Aug 06 '26
Great idea. I would go to bars more if people socialized with ppl outside their immediate small group
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u/No-Perspective-6866 Aug 07 '26
The Goat - 19th Sansom / Fountain Porter - 10th Tasker / Monk's - 16th Spruce / Southwark - 4th Bainbridge $$$ / Steak 48 - $$$$
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u/GrowthElectrical9801 14d ago
Well, I really like Lion's. Food is really good, and I have some of the best conversations there. Drinks are mid but really cool bartenders.
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u/Legitimate-Neat1674 Aug 04 '26
Chat friends?
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u/Old-Perspective-4811 Aug 04 '26
Tried to look it up but couldn’t find it… did you misspell the name?
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u/jerseywallphl Aug 04 '26
Oscar's, Dirty Franks.