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Categories: Bars, American (New) [Edit]
Neighborhood: Olde City
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I recently moved to the neighborhood and my goal is to try every establishment in the neighborhood.
I just happened to be walking by Sassafras around lunch time and decided to pop in for a look. After perusing their options for burgers, I decided to try the lamb burger with Gruyere and mushrooms and a side of fries. The burger was good, although it could have used a little more of a kick to it. The fries were AWESOME! I can imagine eating the fries after a night of drinking and having it absorb the alcohol.
The interior is interesting. Tin ceilings and the bartender let me know that the tiles are the original tiles. Stepping in to the Sassafras is like being transported to another time. I can almost see this bar in a film noir scene.
Anyway, I'm going to try the ostrich burger the next time I pop in there.
If the fratboy party and the mainstay hipster-esque haunts of Old City aren't your thing, you just may feel at ease at Sassafras. The place has a lovely antiquey feel to it, from the elk head mounted above the bar to the old-school waiters clad in crisp white shirts, black ties, and aprons. The crowd was eclectic when I was there: young and older couples alike. Drinks are reasonably priced. When I visited, Feist's CD was gently echoing through the place, making it feel very relaxed, unpretentious, and mellow -- in other words, perfect.
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Poor boys, have to use the tiny little bathroom downstairs.
Girls get it much better at Sassafras. I was filled with wonder (and some beer) as a ascended the french-impressionist painted stairway. Like Alice entering Wonderland... or those kids from Willy Wonka entering the Chocolate Factory ... I was filled with amusement and happiness (and beer) at the sight of the girls' bathroom.
1) it's HUGE... the size of a bedroom
2) it's pretty... colorful murals, couch, etc
3) it's clean
OK, I digress. There are other reasons to visit this bar besides the fantastic womens' bathroom.
Beer is good. The tiles on the wall are amazing and old. It's got a great vibe. I didn't get to try the food, but I'll definitely be back.
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What a great find! Happened upon this place last night after meeting some pretty interesting out of towners. How impressive! Really laid back space, I can't speak much for the crowd as we got in here pretty late and basically we were the crowd. The bartender is sweet and has an amazing accent as well.
I had a blast here, I'm sure I'll return again soon!
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Sassafras is just what the doctor ordered for Old City! It's like a hidden treasure that I was so happy to discover. I only wish I had known about this place sooner--it would have saved me so many mediocre nights at the second-rate places that engulf the area!
Sassafras is a sophisticated, yet relaxed spot--cozy and hospitable with a nicely decorated interior and lovely service. Their sweet potato fries are alright (be careful about repelling everyone you encounter with the garlic breath that will ensue for days after consuming) and their cheese plate is alright as well.
Some people I've spoken to say it's got an "older crowd" vibe, but from what I sensed, it's simply a more 'mature' place to go---as in, the odds of the place breaking into some bumpin' and grinding' a la Lil Jon song are slim to none. Thank god.
From their website: "It's one of those places at which you can get that particularly blithe combination of the elegant and the mundane: a glass of champagne and a cheeseburger."
There is also live music here on some nights (go on TUESDAYs) which is a real nice treat that adds to the wonderful ambiance.
I get an overall good vibe from Sassafras!!
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Great bar, lovely antiquey feel. One of the few places in Old City with some soul. They have beer, wine, cocktails and excellent food. The sweet potato fries were amazing. You will not be disappointed with the portion size either. I know one of the owners, and he is such a nice guy. They really did a good job with this place.
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This bar is the classy lady on the block. Dimly lit, with a beautiful full-length bar, cloudy mirrors, and twinkling candles and lamps. The tin ceiling is a find, as are the original, ornately tiled walls. Aesthetically, this bar is a little piece of france buried in the slop of Old City.
The night I came in there was a soft classical guitar and viola duo, and a few small groups (mostly in 2s) chatting quietly. The bartender is charming - though I would have liked to see an actual wine list versus a verbal listing of grape varieties - he poured me a generous portion. And I LOVE the deer head that hangs above the door. His little ears point through his jaunty fancy hat, silver cigarette holder and unlit smoke dangling from his deer lips. Poncy fellow, that deer.
If I was trying to impress a European grad student or get into the pants of an art curator, I'd bring him here and sit in the back. As is stands, I'll definitely be back with my honey when the brashness of Old City becomes to much/
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Pretty classy bar with a very limited selection of alcohol. As many other posters noted, it is a quiet refuge from the hustle and bustle of Old City...but that also means if you're under 40 you're probably a lot younger than the majority of the crowd.
The food is better than most bars but not gastropub level. You can get an Allagash white or an Arrogant Bastard in bottle, amongst others, or a few beers on tap. The bartenders are pretty cool.
Check it out if you don't want the scene of Lucy's or the other bars on Market.
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Fantastic bar, fantastic staff, fantastic patrons...what's not to like?
After being harassed by an entire troup of d-bags at Eulogoy, I was ready to get the hell out of the area but wanted a drink. Like NOW. So we ended up walking in here - the place was welcoming and I loved the name (I will totally buy a wine I know nothign about if I like the label).
I liked the atmosphere in here. Mellow, quiet. Groups of people just talking quietly and enjoying themselves. The fireplace smelled great and was a huge boost in the ambience department. It's a little spot of goodness in an area that otherwise leaves me feeling disappointed.
The bartender was great - I can't recall his name (but he was adorable and should totally be my boyfriend. At least until Ryan Gosling realizes that he wants to marry me). But I told him what I was in the mood for and he suggested and then made a really good cocktail (a Vesper) that hit the spot. He also suggested SoutWwark's when I talked about going to Apothecary. In retrospect, I wish I had taken him up on his suggestion.
I didn't eat here but I really enjoyed the atmosphere and the drink (and the bartender - hee).
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Old City sucks. It's embarrassing. If Sassafras was a person, it'd be that OTHER dork wandering around 2nd Street, trying to manage the shitstorm of human refuse. And you might make eye contact with him, and you might say, "Hey, you wanna blow this place and go somewhere to talk?"
But it doesn't happen - it's a building, and remains at a fixed point. Instead, you gotta go in, sit at the bar, and drink. That's fine with me. I've been there several times over the years, and I'm not sure you can go upstairs to the huge bathroom with the bathtub, but that shit is dope. I always try to go here for a whiskey if I'm waiting on a movie to start over at the Ritz. There is always room at the bar, and the bartenders are ridiculously charming.
The ambiance is "threadbare classy" with a dark tin ceiling and candle lit shadows. It feels good here. It's different than other bars in the city. I saw that it was closed a few months ago - I hope it opens again soon.
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Closed right now (March 2008) but soon to reopen, Sassafras is a pleasant, tin-ceilinged island in the shallow sea that is Old City.
The finest burger in the city resides here, the lambburger. Topped with boursin and sauteed onions, this juicy baby blows all other burgers out of the beefy water.
Super friendly bartender maintains his charm even when his bar is utterly empty on a Thursday night, dispensing fancy-shmancy drafts and cheapie well drinks with equal aplomb.
I created a wasted scene here once, with lots of crying, shrieking and stomping of my little drunkard's feet, and was STILL welcomed back later when I had recovered myself. Now that is hospitality.
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The interiors are lovely, there are some great bottled beers available (mmm, Duvel), and the food is satisfying. Plus, I can't get enough of their fireplace. As for the vibe people keep mentioning- everytime I'm there it is a different crowd...but usually a mix. And always the bartender with a flirty accent. The perfect chill place to go for a romantic rendezvous or nightcap after a long day out & about.
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Went to Sassafras the last time I was in town and it was a great, quiet bar. Nice ambience, good beer selection, and a chill atmosphere.
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I really think Sass is my favorite bar in Old City, if I were to go into Old City, which I tend not to do if I don't have a compelling reason. The bar itself is pure class. Comfortable barstools, a classic bar, tiled walls and a tin ceiling. I'm also a big fan of the paintings. Particularly the one of the chick's leg and foot. I think it's kind of hot. I like the lady with all of the fat rolls, too. By far the most interesting paintings I've seen in a bar.
They have a decent draft selection. There is always at least one microbrew I want, and they have a couple Belgians in the bottle as well. The food is also decent. Fairly healthy pub food with veggie and non-veggie options. It's a shame this place doesn't have more business, but then again that would destroy it's charm.
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I love this bar, even if only for the fact that my co-workers and I used to go here late night after we got out of work. The music is usually good, the food isn't bad, the beer selection is decent, and the bar is small (and usually half empty). Which probably explains why I like it so much, especially compared to every other annoying bar on 2nd St.
If you're trying to find some place to duck out and hide but still have a few drinks and be able to carry on a conversation, you can't do better in Old City than Sassafras.
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Sassafras is open again! A real bar for real people in Old City, what a concept! A large variety of beers to choose from and good whiskey too! Friendly bar tenders.
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Through the door sits an ecclectic almost historic bar, celing, walls and floor that makes you feel like you just stepped back to pre-proabition times. The owner sits at the head of the bar reading the paper and smoking, not mush lately, like an all seeing eye that keeps tabs on the flow of business. The burger is still hands down my favorite in the city and I've had Rouge and Barclay Prime's. Good beer selection and a place to hang in old city without the crowd. What sucks is I always want a friggin burger there for lunch and they're never open.
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Great looking old bar inside. Cool tile and ceiling. Bartenders were fun and chatty. Good happy hour prices. Not really part of the party scene. Lots of people were coming in to eat, so I might go back to try the food.
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Neighborhood: Olde City
Category: Bars
Philadelphia, PA
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Category: American (New)
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