Post-wedding bar in Center City

**tsarstruck** · 10-19-2012, 10:03 AM

The lady and I are getting married at the Crystal Tea Room (Wanamaker building) in three weeks [edited for my inability to count], and I've been racking my brain for a bar to send people post-wedding. Wedding ends at midnight, and I'd expect in the range of 80 people or so to want to continue their carousing.

I'm a little picky about bars: any bar (with the notable exception of corner and dive bars) that doesn't serve craft beer is going to get the stink eye from me. Doesn't need to be a private room or anything, just a bar that would have the capacity to absorb that many people comfortably.

Our main hotel is the Marriott (and the Ritz, but no), so their bar is always an option. Any ideas?

**FMT** · 10-19-2012, 10:15 AM

McGillins would be big enough for your party and it's right around the corner. Midnight on a Saturday might be a stretch, but Friday is actually their biggest night.

**tsarstruck** · 10-19-2012, 10:23 AM

Yeah, I would think McGillins would be tough on a Saturday night.

**dogoagogo** · 10-19-2012, 10:54 AM

I suggest you stay away from the Sheraton Society Hill.

**londoner** · 10-19-2012, 01:32 PM

Upstairs at Corner Bar might work...but 80 people is a heavy lift for places that will already be packed. The Irish Pub maybe. You may just have to go to a huge place like the Field House to accomodate that many people. I'd probably just point them to 13th street and say godspeed.

**Volanova** · 10-19-2012, 01:49 PM

As stated above, you're going to be hard pressed to find a good bar (read: not a douche fest) that will comfortably pack in 80 people in addition to their normal clientele. You could always try some of the hotel bars in the area though. 10 Arts in the Ritz Carlton is pretty nice, with lots of room, and a wedding party won't be out of place. XIX in the Bellevue would be tight, but you may be able to work something out with them to open up a bigger room for you.

**tsarstruck** · 10-19-2012, 02:49 PM

I hear you, Volanova. I'd like something a little looser than the 10 Arts or XIX, and to a point the douche-ness of the venue won't matter since we'll be rolling with so many. I have a relatively encyclopedic knowledge of bars in the city, but I've really been scratching my head.

Has anyone been to Field House since they "renovated" it? It seems that at the very least the beer list is much improved.

**ArcticSplash** · 10-19-2012, 02:51 PM

I hear the Sheraton is great

**theREALalesis** · 10-19-2012, 02:54 PM

You are an *******.

**bootsywannabe** · 10-19-2012, 02:56 PM

You might be able to get a good deal there actually.

**gumbela** · 10-19-2012, 03:00 PM

I just went through this same issue 2 weeks ago. My wedding was a Sunday so I want to Time, which I was hesitant about, but it was great.

The night before, Saturday, 40 of us went to the top of corner bar until 2am.

You could go to Mixto. They have a large space it can be a hike though.

I've seen weddings barrel into tavern on the broad. Smokin betty's is an option too. Also, the loew's hotel, SoleFood, might not be a popular choice, but it is huge and has jazz bands a lot. My wedding guests liked it there a lot as a in between spot. McGillans is blahh for a wedding.

**tsarstruck** · 10-19-2012, 03:05 PM

Thanks, Gumbela. And congrats.

Time'll be far too packed, and I have a feeling Corner Bar will be tough at midnight as well. Mixto's way too far, and I'm not a fan of Tavern on Broad. I guess I'd add Smoking Betty's to the list, although it's layout doesn't make it ideal.

SoleFood? Hmm. I'm... curious.

**Volanova** · 10-19-2012, 03:08 PM

Actually, Time might not be bad. It's big, not too uppity, and easy to get to.

What's the place called on 13th were the Apothecary/APO used to be? That deck could be nice if the weather is decent.

**tsarstruck** · 10-19-2012, 03:11 PM

Time might work, might not. Upstairs gets packed.

That's The Corner. Not big enough if the weather's not right, and by November 10th, it shouldn't be. But if things keep going as they are...

**MNG1324** · 10-19-2012, 03:34 PM

80 people on a Saturday night is a tough one. If fitting in the people was the only object then you try someplace like Lucky Strike but that's probably not good for craft beer or avoiding doucheyness. Field house is supposed to have upped their beer game but it would take a flamethrower spewing axe flames to kill the ghosts of douche past in there. Maybe you could reserve the upper lounge area at Field House. Good luck and congrats.

**ArcticSplash** · 10-19-2012, 04:01 PM

Originally Posted by theREALalesis

You are an *******.

Oh come on it had to be said

**AngelB** · 10-21-2012, 09:24 PM

Try Perch Pub or Nodding Head. Both upstairs craft beer bars with semi-private spaces in center city and close to all hotels.

**phillyaggie** · 10-21-2012, 09:56 PM

Black Sheep pub, although that would be a hike.

better location: Square Peg, at 10th and Walnut:
Private Events | Square Peg Restaurant

bueno? no bueno?

**tsarstruck** · 10-22-2012, 10:16 AM

I visited Field House. It's certainly better than it was. Not good, but Better. New floors, it feels a little more open, and the draft list is 10000x improved. The proximity, private room, special beer prices, and a dedicated bartender/waitress make it very tempting. MNG1324, do you have a flamethrower spewing axe flames that I can borrow?

I also stopped by Betty's: I'm unconvinced they could handle that many extra people on a Saturday night. Black Sheep's too far. I don't think Perch Pub could handle that many on a Saturday. And sorry to say that I've always found Nodding Head one of the city's most overrated bars.

Hard to imagine I'll willfully be leading people into Field House, but...

**Voice of Reason** · 10-22-2012, 11:21 AM

Give Farmers Cabinet on Walnut a try. 80 might be a stretch for them, but they have some great brews and great service as well. Don't know how busy they are on Saturday nights, but it is definitely worth checking out.

Tir Na Nog isn't too far away, and they should be able to easily handle the crowd. You can probably get them to cordon off some reserved space with dedicated servers for your guests, which would be a nice perk as you could still party with the crowd while having a space of your own.

Congratulations!!