The Olde Bar

Name: The Olde Bar
Address: 125 Walnut St., Philadelphia, PA, United States, 19106
Telephone: (215) 253-3777
Price range: $31 to $50
Rating: 4.5

4.5

1113 Reviews

$31 to $50

Seafood

Top Tags:

A contemporary oyster saloon that pays homage to the original tradition.

The Olde Bar, located in Philadelphia’s landmark Old Original Bookbinder’s, is a contemporary oyster bar and cocktail lounge steeped in the city’s nautical and culinary traditions. Serving oysters on the half shell, alongside a smart menu of modern re-imaginings of traditional bar snacks and a comprehensive cocktail and spirit list, The Olde Bar is at once a tribute to the city’s storied past and an updated version of one of our most beloved dining spaces.

In accordance with City of Philadelphia COVID-19 guidelines, masks are once again required for all guests, regardless of vaccination status, while inside our restaurant. Masks may be removed while seated. We appreciate your understanding and commitment to safety and look forward to serving you.

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

May 26, 2022

May 2022

Sun

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

7:00 PM

Booked 25 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Takeout

(215) 253-3777

Delivery

Private dining

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Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Cuisines
Seafood, Contemporary American
Hours of operation
Wed, Thu 4:00 pm–10:00 pm Fri 4:00 pm–11:00 pm Sat 12:00 pm–11:00 pm Sun 12:00 pm–10:00 pm
Phone number
(215) 253-3777
Website
http://www.theoldebar.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Executive chef
Jose Garces
Private party facilities
Whether celebrating a special occasion with family and friends or hosting a corporate outing, The Olde Bar can accommodate all your special event needs. Email: pa.events@garcesgroup.com for details.
Private party contact
Garces Events: (855) 893-7201

Location
125 Walnut St. Philadelphia, PA 19106
Neighborhood
Old City
Cross street
S. 2nd St.
Parking details
Philadelphia Parking Authority Garage located at 125 S 2nd Street, less than a block north and west of The Olde Bar. Private lots located within a few blocks, at 401 S Columbus Boulevard, 109 Chestnut St, 36 S 2nd Street and 299 S Columbus Boulevard.http://philapark.org/locator/ and enter our addressThe Olde Bar does not offer valet parking
Public transit
The Olde Bar is located just over two blocks south of the Market-Frankford EL stop at 2nd and Market Streets.
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Delivery, Dog Friendly, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

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Popular dishes

What 1,113 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.5

4.5 based on recent ratings

4.5Food
4.6Service
4.6Ambience
4.3Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Philadelphia
Vibrant Bar Scene

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OT
OpenTable Diner
Columbus
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined 5 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
The food was incredible, and we will definitely be back again the next time we're in town
OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
1.0
1 review
Dined 6 days ago
overall1food1service3ambience3
Quality of food was subpar. Definitely not what we expected. Completely different from precovid days. Will not return.
K
Kate3
Philadelphia
68 reviews
5.0
68 reviews
Dined on May 14, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
There were four in my party for inside dining The green salad w smoked Gouda and salmon spread were so good. All entrees were delicious and beautifully presented. Two had the pork chop dinner, one crab cake, and one pasta w scallops, bacon and other terrific flavors. The food here is first rate. The service was great and the ambience quiet, even though there were four parties simultaneously occurring. I have eaten outside at the old bar and it is very pleasant.
A
Alex
Philadelphia
15 reviews
vip
5.0
15 reviews
Dined on May 14, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience4
Amazing brunch! Fun, informative, and attentive staff. Cool and unique decor. Drinks are pricey but pack a punch!
OT
OpenTable Diner
San Francisco
4 reviews
vip
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on May 13, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
We had a great time! One of my favorite place to dine in Philadelphia.
LF
LFermo
Washington DC
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on May 8, 2022
overall4food3service5ambience5
Our entrées, drink and desert was delicious. Excellent service. I’m very disappointed with the oysters. It’s like oysters soaked or washed with water because it didn’t have a taste of a real oyster. It’s tasteless.You need to shucked it open before serving so that you’ll taste the real oysters. Please try to match your upscale restaurant food with the quality you serve.
OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
142 reviews
vip
4.0
142 reviews
Dined on May 7, 2022
overall4food4service5ambience3
Even though it was a really good burger, the price, if you are not from a big city, will leave you with sticker shock.
AB
AllisonB
Chicago
4 reviews
vip
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on May 7, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Fun place. Great food. Excellent service.
A
Anjelica
Philadelphia
37 reviews
vip
4.0
37 reviews
Dined on May 7, 2022
overall4food4service5ambience5
Loved this place! Great service. If you love history, the location is really cool. Only reason for removing a star is because my burger was pretty over cooked.
HN
HelenN
New York Area
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on May 6, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great table spacing and separated enough to keep the noise levels down
C
riaC
Philadelphia
9 reviews
vip
5.0
9 reviews
Dined on May 6, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great food and ambiance, will return!
LS
LauraS
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 5, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
The pork was delicious and the service was all very nice
ST
STEPHENK
New York Area
15 reviews
vip
4.0
15 reviews
Dined on May 4, 2022
overall4food4service2ambience3
Nice rooms with tons of space between tables. The food was excellent. The service was a shambles. Took forever to get our food and almost as long to get the check after we asked for it.
GZ
GuiaZ
Philadelphia
23 reviews
5.0
23 reviews
Dined on May 4, 2022
overall5food4service5ambience5
Their happy menu is fantastic. We love the ambience of the restaurant. Had a great time drinking laughing and eating.
C
Carrie
Philadelphia
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 1, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
We all had a fabulous time. The bloody mary is a must try!
ES
EhsanS
Philadelphia
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on April 24, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Everything was delicious. Highly recommended.
SM
ShMcK
Philadelphia
17 reviews
4.0
17 reviews
Dined on April 24, 2022
overall4food5service5ambience5
The bar is awesome. The service was great. The cocktails were all great as well. The food was really good. Only downside is ordering a steak and fries for $30 only to get about 5oz of steak and a huge plate of fries. The value is a bit off. Otherwise it was a great meal.
IF
IsabellaF
Philadelphia
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on April 23, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Amazing happy hour menu and the food was phenomenal! Definitely a nicer place, the website made it seem more laid back but it’s not a restaurant I would ever wear leggings a hoodie to. Service was exceptional as well.
T
Tracy
Philadelphia
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on April 22, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Omg. The food was really good. This was me and my girlfriends first time here. We loved everything. Drinks were good as well.
OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
7 reviews
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on April 22, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
We really appreciated how the restaurant is setup inside for spacing between tables. The service was welcoming and friendly. The food was very good, especially of note the lobster bisque which was outstanding.
NP
NPhilly95
Philadelphia
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on April 21, 2022
overall5food5service4ambience5
Excellent atmosphere and delicious drinks. Need to come back for HH.
T
Tammy
Philadelphia
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on April 13, 2022
overall4food4service5ambience5
Great happy hour menu with friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive staff.
CS
CthulhuSays
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on April 10, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Tremendous experience. Feels like a throwback to when the dining experience was about more then just getting something hastily thrown together to get you back on your way. Fantastic cocktails and bar menu. A must for seafood lovers and a little something for everyone else. Would go back without hesitation
NL
NidiaL
Philadelphia
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on April 9, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
I was there for brunch with some friends. The food was all excellent as usual, beautiful building that is beautifully restored. I appreciated the absence of annoying background music that is so prevalent these days. All I want to hear is the hum of good conversation. Great food and drinks!
OT
OpenTable Diner
Washington DC
2 reviews
vip
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on April 9, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
My fiancé and I always have the best time when we dine at The Olde Bar. The food was delicious, and the oysters are always tasty. I ordered the Corn Dog this evening for the first time, and it did not disappoint! Our server was the best and chatted with us. We will always be back!
OT
OpenTable Diner
Philadelphia
1 review
vip
5.0
1 review
Dined on April 8, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
It was a great experience. Really enjoyed my waiter — he was very well informed and knowledgeable of the menu. Thanks!
DL
DonnaL
Philadelphia
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on April 8, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
FOOD, DRINKS, SERVICE...IMPECCABLE! Front of house XOXO...waitstaff and management *chefs kiss*
B
Brandon
Philadelphia
1 review
1.0
1 review
Dined on April 3, 2022
overall1food3service1ambience4
Open table will allow you to make a reservation in the bar area for five but the restaurant will not accommodate you
L
deeL
Philadelphia
16 reviews
vip
2.0
16 reviews
Dined on April 2, 2022
overall2food1service3ambience2
Very disappointed with the raw oysters, which were recommended; they were dry and seemed a bit old and whoever opened them butchered them in the process. We went for drinks and appetizer and tried several others which were better but not great.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Baltimore
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on April 2, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
I decided to come and dine during brunch. The drinks, food and everything was exactly what I needed. I enjoyed celebrating my birthday here and when I visit the city again I’ll be sure to stop by.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Washington DC
31 reviews
vip
5.0
31 reviews
Dined on March 31, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Fantastic meal and service.
PS
PamelaS
Philadelphia
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined on March 26, 2022
overall4food5service3ambience5
Our server was wonderful. The slow service was from the kitchen
OT
OpenTable Diner
Philadelphia
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on March 26, 2022
overall5food5service3ambience5
Food is Amazing! Drinks are Superb!
JW
JayW
Philadelphia
7 reviews
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on March 26, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
I love coming here! One of my best places to go to in the city. Especially for happy hour.
KB
KayB
Philadelphia
14 reviews
vip
5.0
14 reviews
Dined on March 26, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
We love coming here for oysters raw and fried. Love my old fashioned drink with 100 proof rye whiskey with lemon and orange peel aroma.
DS
DaniellaS
Philadelphia
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on March 25, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Zollie was a fantastic host! Excellent cocktails.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Seattle
1 review
vip
5.0
1 review
Dined on March 25, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great service and food
JL
JLachey
Philadelphia
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on March 24, 2022
overall5food5service4ambience5
Very nice happy hour with each item priced under $10. I enjoy the fried oysters and the Bartender's Choice for my cocktail selection. Great place for after work or anytime!
D
Dinner
Washington DC
49 reviews
4.0
49 reviews
Dined on March 23, 2022
overall4food4service5ambience5
The wait staff and service was excellent. The steak and pork chops both offered very good flavor but was not as tender as we would like to have them. Ambiance was wonderful. We will dine there again.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Philadelphia
1 review
1.0
1 review
Dined on March 19, 2022
overall1food1service1ambience1
Ambiance was cold and not inviting. Service was not accommodating and authentic but instead sounded rehearsed and dismissive. Food was inedible - bones in the lobster and crab cake was nothing as described in menu. Food was not good quality either especially for price.

Safety precautions

Cleaning & sanitizing
- Surfaces sanitized between seatings
- Common areas deep-cleaned daily
- Sanitizer or wipes provided for customers
Physical distancing
- Distancing maintained in common areas
- Extra space between tables

Protective equipment
- Waitstaff wear masks
- Diners must wear masks unless eating or drinking
Screening
- Sick staff prohibited in the workplace

FAQs

The Olde Bar does offer delivery in partnership with Uber Eats. The Olde Bar also offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (215) 253-3777.

The Olde Bar is rated 4.5 stars by 1113 OpenTable diners.

The Olde Bar does offer gift cards which you can purchase here.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.