Cocktail bar
Unclaimed profileR&D Cocktail Bar
Philadelphia, PA · $$$
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
The editorial take
R&D Cocktail Bar runs a serious drinks program split between historically attributed classics and a full tiki menu. House rum blends anchor both, while large-format options like a $54 Blue Hawaiian serve four. The spirits list reaches deep into artisanal agave and rum. A small wine and beer list covers the basics.
- What should I order?
- Start with the Daiquiri ($10) to gauge the house white rum blend, then move to the Champs Elysees ($13) for a cognac-forward classic. For tiki, the Three Dots & a Dash ($15) layers pot still rum, rhum agricole, and allspice. If sharing, the Blue Hawaiian ($54) serves four.
- Who will enjoy this place?
- Cocktail enthusiasts who appreciate historically accurate classics and tiki revivalists will find familiar ground. Spirits collectors can explore rare agave and rum. Groups should consider the large-format options. Casual drinkers can rely on straightforward beer and wine picks.
- When should I go?
- Evenings when the bar is likely to have its full menu and spirits selection available. Tiki drinks suit warmer months, while the classic cocktails work year-round. No specific days or times are documented.
- What should I expect to spend?
- Cocktails $10–$15; large formats $27–$54. Wines $10–$12; beers $4–$7. Spirits pricing is not listed, but the breadth suggests a range from standard to premium.
- What makes the beverage program distinctive?
- A dual identity: one menu of classic cocktails with historical attributions, another of tiki drinks built on house rum blends. The spirits program includes rare artisanal bottles like Clairin, Paranubes, and Mezonte. Large-format cocktails encourage sharing.
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
Classic cocktails with historical attributions sit alongside a tiki menu and original creations. House rum blends feature prominently.
Menu strengths
- — Clear historical framing on classic cocktails like Floradora and Champs Elysees.
- — Tiki menu includes standards like Painkiller, Saturn, Mai Tai, and Three Dots & a Dash.
- — Creative originals like Death before Decaf and large-format options for sharing.
Standout selections
- — Daiquiri ($10) – house white rum blend, lime, sugar; a benchmark for the house style.
- — Champs Elysees ($13) – cognac, green chartreuse, angostura, gomme, lemon.
- — Three Dots & a Dash ($15) – pot still rum, rhum agricole, allspice, curacao, honey, falernum.
- — Blue Hawaiian ($54) – large format, serves four.
Pricing: Cocktails $10–$15; large format $27–$54
Wine
A small but curated list featuring Txakolina, Pinot Bianco, Amber, Gamay, and Barbera. All under $12, it offers a compact alternative to the cocktail program.
Menu strengths
- — Varied by grape and style, from Txakolina to Barbera.
Standout selections
- — Txakolina ($11) – crisp, slightly sparkling white.
- — Barbera ($11) – red with bright acidity.
Pricing: Wines $10–$12
Beer
A short beer list with an IPA, a sour, a coffee stout, and a lager. Prices are low, making it an easy entry point, but the selection is not extensive.
Menu strengths
- — Covers major styles with recognizable names like Jai Alai IPA and Hi-Life.
Standout selections
- — Jai Alai IPA ($6) – hoppy and widely available.
- — Coffee Stout ($7) – stout with coffee character.
Pricing: Beers $4–$7
Spirits
An extensive spirits list spanning vodka, gin, tequila, mezcal, rum, bourbon, rye, scotch, Irish, Japanese, Mexican, and amaro. Includes house rum blends and rare artisanal bottles like Clairin, Paranubes, and Mezonte.
Menu strengths
- — Deep rum program with house blends and rhum agricole.
- — Broad international coverage from bourbon to Japanese whisky.
Standout selections
- — R&D White Rum Blend – house blend for daiquiris and other classics.
- — R&D Jamaican Rum Blend – used in tiki drinks.
- — Clairin – artisanal Haitian rum.; Paranubes – Mexican sugarcane rum.
Pricing: No prices listed
How it sits with the food
No food menu is documented. The cocktail program's tiki and classic styles suggest pairing with light bites or bar snacks, but no specific food pairings are supported by the evidence.
Inebrious does not score kitchens, food or the restaurant overall. We review the beverage program only.
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