Cocktail bar
Unclaimed profilea.bar
Philadelphia, PA · $$$
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
The editorial take
A.bar's cocktail menu is a study in controlled invention, grouping drinks into Light + Refreshing, Rich + Full, and Classics We Like. The bar's small, dark room suits its ambitious drinks, which range from a thyme-and-caraway Cosmo riff to a saffron-laced Tequila Sour. A compact wine-by-the-glass list and a pair of Three Spirit non-alcoholic options round out the program.
- What should I order?
- Start with the Tequila Sour for its layered spice, or the Egg White Sour for a botanical twist. The Old-Fashioned, blending Irish whiskey and double oaked bourbon with smoked maple, is a modern classic.
- Who will enjoy this place?
- Cocktail enthusiasts seeking inventive flavor combinations and a cozy, intimate setting. The diverse menu appeals to both adventurous drinkers and classic cocktail purists.
- When should I go?
- Evenings when the bar's intimate atmosphere is at its best; arrive early to secure a seat at the bar.
- What makes the beverage program distinctive?
- The menu's structure into flavor and intensity sections, combined with unusual ingredients like saffron, ras el hanout, and green plantain, sets it apart. The wine list, though small, offers interesting by-the-glass options from lesser-known producers.
Beverage categories
We only score what a venue sets out to do. Categories a venue doesn't attempt are left unscored rather than penalized.
Cocktails
Inventive cocktails with unique ingredient combinations, organized by intensity. Menu features creative riffs on classics and original creations using a wide range of spirits.
Menu strengths
- — Creative and inventive cocktail menu with unique ingredient combinations.
- — Menu covers a range of styles from light and refreshing to rich and full.
Standout selections
- — Tequila Sour: reposado tequila, aged rhum agricole, saffron, apricot, ginger, honey, lime, ras el hanout.
- — Old-Fashioned: Slane Irish whiskey, Old Forester double oaked bourbon, amaro nonino, smoked maple, apple vermouth, verjus blanc.
- — Cosmo-inspired: thyme and caraway-infused vodka, raspberry, lime, black pepper, herbal vermouth, absinthe.
Wine
A compact wine-by-the-glass list featuring seven selections from Italy, Austria, Portugal, and France, including sparkling, white, rosé/skin contact, and red wines.
Menu strengths
- — Diverse selection of wines by the glass from multiple regions.
Standout selections
- — Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore, Mongarda Veneto, IT 2024
- — Erba Alta, Marco Sara Friuli, FR 2021
Pricing: No prices listed for wines.
Beer
Beer list includes bottles and cans with ABVs from 4.6% to 8.0%, plus a non-alcoholic option at 0.0% ABV. Names and brands not specified.
Standout selections
- — Non-alcoholic beer, 0.0% ABV, 16 oz
Pricing: No prices listed for beers.
Nonalcoholic
Two non-alcoholic cocktails using Three Spirit products: Livener and Nightcap, with ingredients like acai, hibiscus, ginger, and mushroom spirit.
Standout selections
- — Three Spirit 'Livener': acai spirit, raspberry, hibiscus, ginger, lime, cayenne.
- — Three Spirit 'Nightcap': mushroom spirit, cinnamon, spiced demerara sugar, balsamic, soda water.
Pricing: No prices listed.
Spirits
Cocktails use a wide range of spirits including vodka, tequila, gin, rum, whiskey, and amari, showcasing a broad spirits selection within the cocktail program.
Standout selections
- — Old-Fashioned with Slane Irish whiskey and Old Forester double oaked bourbon.
- — Manhattan with Dickel rye, Meletti amaro, and chipotle pepper.
Pricing: No dedicated spirits list or pricing found.
How it sits with the food
The bar's cocktail focus suggests no formal food pairing program, but the varied flavor profiles could complement small plates or snacks if offered.
Inebrious does not score kitchens, food or the restaurant overall. We review the beverage program only.
Community reviews
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