As an industry worker zipping around on your feet all day, the best part of the day is enjoying a shift drink: a post-work alcoholic beverage to decompress, take a load off, and yes, enjoy a nice buzz before heading home to bed. In this series, we’ll be exploring the many fantastic bar programs of Philadelphia where you can treat yourself after a hard day’s work. In this edition of shift drink we’re focusing on a place that has a fireplace – a place to warm up from the cold – and lots of bourbon, also to warm things up: The Twisted Tail, an American restaurant, bourbon house and juke joint.
If you’ve got the winter blues, cozy up by the fireplaces at The Twisted Tail in historic Society Hill’s Head House Square. Upon entering the building you can either sit at the downstairs bar, grab a table or venture upstairs for more options. As I headed up the stairs the sound of live music guided me to the second bar/dining room. To the left of the bar was a live band, creating a lively atmosphere. For upcoming shows and other events such as whiskey tastings, visit the events section of The Twisted Tail’s website.
After grabbing a drink, I went to the fireplace room across the hallway to sit by the fire and sip on my post-shift beverage. The crackling fire matched the rustic ambiance of the room. Walls were adorned with cow-hide tiles, wooden chandeliers hung from the ceilings, and leather couches and large wooden armchairs completed the cozy space. Rounding out the room was a shuffleboard and a dart board, as well as a chalkboard wall for recording game stats and keeping a game queue. Pair the fire with flame-cooked offerings from the kitchen via their charcoal grill. Dishes on their menu from the grill include grilled bread with whipped ricotta, Spanish octopus, shishito peppers, Andouille sausage, scallops and much more!
Whiskey lover’s will rejoice at the wide whiskey selection available at The Twisted Tail. With over 120 different whiskeys on the menu, the possibilities are nearly endless. Their Bourbon Club program is free to join, just ask any bartender or server nearby. Members can try 2 oz. pours of all the whiskeys and receive an engraved personal glass, a plaque on the bar and 20% off whiskey in perpetuity. Membership does indeed has its privileges!
The Twisted Tail’s bourbon obsession can even be detected in their beer; one of their draft beers is bourbon-infused! Local Philadelphia microbrewery Dock Street produces an Imperial Stout that is aged in a Maker’s Mark bourbon barrel. Very chocolatey on the nose, smokey bourbon notes and smooth as can be, this is an ideal winter beverage for unwinding after work by the fire.
Hours
Sunday 10am – 2am
Monday – Friday 12pm – 2am
Saturday 11am – 2am
Address
509 S. 2nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Phone
(215) 558-2471
