Friday, we stopped on a whim after I told my friend about the first time I went years ago. The hostess was incredibly sweet & helpful. There was an hour wait, but completely worth it. The bartender (Nico I believe) was not only pleasant but seemed to read my mind & proceeded to make me something that I can only describe as a magical potion full of all my favorite flavors that melded so well together.
Great cocktails and vibe, but I wasn't a fan of the inflated wait time... also our server was too busy flirting with another guest to ask us if we wanted another round of drinks when my date and I were sitting on empty. ?
Love the atmosphere, cocktails are top notch. It's got a true speakeasy feel, door hard to find, dim on the inside, truly I went to leave and walked into the bathroom. It is small inside, so you need to get there when it opens if you want a seat. Would be a cute date night idea.
One of the best cocktail bars in the city. The head bartender is incredible, trust him to make you a drink of his choice. The bar is dark and moody and equally comfortable and sexy. Strong recommend.
From the friendly greeting of the hostess to the exceptional bartending delivered from Nico (The “bartenders choice” is the way to go if you have the pleasure of sitting at the bar while he is tending. His friendly demeanor is the exact reason we want to re-attend this place.) my boyfriend and I had a wonderful experience. We will absolutely be back.
Awesome secret speakeasy in Philly! ?And if you happen to eat/drink at El Rey while you're waiting for your table at the Ranstead Room, your waiter or bartender may walk you thru the secret passage instead of walking all the way around the block ?We were looking forward to tapas / small bites but unfortunately their chief no longer works there. Looking forward to returning again soon, and hopefully we'll be able to grab a bite to help us drink a little longer. The drinks there are out of this world! Order the bartender's choice; live a little ? you won't be disappointed
Hands down, best drink I've had there! It's called the Bitter Bee. This drink was so refreshing that it almost tasted healthy :-) Composed of honey, mint, fresh limes, and vodka, it was definitely my favorite! Our server was kind and helpful as well and I plan to return soon!
My boyfriend and I stopped here Saturday evening. There was a long wait but it was worth it. The place is very small and they don't pack it full. I appreciated that immensely. I don't like going into crowded places, never The drinks were phenomenal. We had several different ones and each seemed better than the last. If you like noisy crowded sports bars and not being able to move freely through a room, this place is not for you. But if you like to be somewhere that's classy and has delicious drinks, definitely give this place a visit
Staff are first time cool. They’ll blow you off unless you’re a part of their inner circle. They also forget they’re job is in the service industry. For example, I asked the bartender where the bathroom was and they rolled their eyes and pointed to an unmarked corner of the room, as if it was obvious. I’ve lived in Philly for years and Ranstead continues to overcharge and under deliver. The cocktails aren’t nearly as good to make the lack of good service worth it.
Went at exactly 7pm when the website said they opened because I heard the wait can be long. The place was almost packed when we entered, so they must open earlier than 7pm, which is what was displayed on their website. The mood is great with candlelight tables. The bartenders really know what they’re doing. Just be aware that there is no food available. I will be returning!