Cocktail bar
Unclaimed profileAlmanac
Philadelphia, PA · $$$
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
The editorial take
Almanac is a Japanese-American cocktail bar with a focused, seasonal program. The menu leans on Japanese spirits and techniques, offering creative classics like the Kyushiki Old Fashioned and a Tomoe Vesper. Customers highlight the hyper-seasonal, well-crafted cocktails and an omakase-style personalized experience. Nonalcoholic options are thoughtful and varied, from house sodas to kombucha.
- What should I order?
- Start with the Kyushiki Old Fashioned, a blend of Japanese whisky and bourbon with kokuto and bitters. For a martini twist, the Tomoe Vesper mixes gins, yuzu vodka, and shōchū. The Kasugai Sour offers a refreshing barley shōchū and Calpico combination.
- Who will enjoy this place?
- Cocktail enthusiasts seeking creative, Japanese-inspired drinks and a speakeasy atmosphere. Those who appreciate personalized, omakase-style cocktail experiences will find particular appeal.
- When should I go?
- Evenings when the intimate, moody speakeasy vibe is in full effect. The omakase cocktail experience suggests a quieter time when bartenders can focus on personalization.
- What should I expect to spend?
- Cocktails range from $19 to $23, with highballs and punches between $16 and $18. Nonalcoholic drinks are $6 to $13.
- What makes the beverage program distinctive?
- Almanac stands out for its strong Japanese bar craft influence, evident in ingredients like shōchū, yuzu, and amazake. The omakase cocktail experience, where bartenders tailor drinks to preferences, adds a unique interactive element rarely seen in cocktail bars.
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
Creative, hyper-seasonal cocktails with Japanese ingredients and techniques.
Menu strengths
- — Seasonal and sustainability focused with ever-changing menu; Japanese-inspired ingredients and techniques
Standout selections
- — Kyushiki Old Fashioned: Japanese whisky & bourbon, kokuto, bitters ($20)
- — Tomoe Vesper: American and Japanese gin, yuzu vodka, shōchū, mizunara ($22)
- — Kasugai Sour: barley shōchū, Midori, yuzu lime, Calpico ($19)
- — Sadōtini: sweet potato shōchū, gin, vodka, amazake, matcha, egg white ($23)
Pricing: $19-$23 for classics; $16-$18 for highballs and punches
Nonalcoholic
A well-rounded nonalcoholic program with house-made sodas, shrubs, kombucha, and non-alcoholic cocktails. Prices are reasonable and the selection is more extensive than typical cocktail bars.
Menu strengths
- — Variety of house-made sodas and kombucha; Includes non-alcoholic punch and shrubs
Standout selections
- — Chrysanthemum Kombucha ($8); N/A Punch ($9)
Pricing: $6-$13
Spirits
The cocktail menu showcases a broad range of spirits, especially Japanese whisky, gin, vodka, and shōchū. This focus on Japanese spirits is a defining characteristic of the program.
Menu strengths
- — Extensive use of Japanese spirits; Unique ingredients integrated into cocktails
How it sits with the food
The cocktail program's Japanese-inspired flavors, such as yuzu and shōchū, could pair with the sushi and kappo offerings from the venue's location above Ogawa Sushi & Kappo, though no specific food pairings are documented.
Inebrious does not score kitchens, food or the restaurant overall. We review the beverage program only.
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