In Philly, it's okay to have a cocktail at brunch, Right?. What do you mean? I can drink a Bloody Mary or a Mimosa at brunch; yeah, sure. They are classics for a reason, but maybe we're adults, and we can drink whatever booze we please at breakfast like a beer or wine. Whatever your reason to drink early, below is a list of the Best Philly Boozy Brunches.
Philly's Boozy Brunches
At Point Breeze’s Buckminster’s, brunch kicks off with a Grown-Up Coffee (rum, maple, coconut whipped cream). The creative menu promises fried oyster omelets, rice, and pork congee with pickled veggies, spelled griddlecakes, and maple toast. 1200 S. 21st Street, (267) 928-3440, buckminstersphl.com
Bud & Marilyn recognizes the need for old-fashioned American indulgence with items like PB&J French toast with potato chip crunch, shareable cinnamon rolls, and hot chicken biscuit sandwiches. The cocktails (grapefruit mimosa with St. Germain; charred tomato micheladas) hold up their end of the deal, too. 13th & Locust Streets, (215) 546-2220, budandmarilyns.com.
Nighttime revelers can keep the party going at The Continental Restaurant and Martini Bar and its sibling The Continental Mid-town, with or a turkey club with caramelized apple mayo—all of which can be accompanied by a champagne cocktail or an espresso martini. 138 Market Street, (215) 923-6069, continentalmartinibar.com; 1801 Chestnut Street, (215) 567-1800; continentalmidtown.com
The morning after becomes the day off with a round of buffalo Bloody Marys and live jazz music at Jerry’s Bar in Northern Liberties. The convivial corner spot tempts with homemade Scrapple and sausage, warm cream cheese sticky buns, and croques madames. 129 W. Laurel Street, (267) 273-1632, jerrysbarphilly.com
One of Old City’s newest restaurant additions, The Little Lion, was quick to join the neighborhood’s brunch scene. To complement the menu of southern-inspired comfort food—think fried green tomatoes, stone-ground grits, fried chicken, and cornbread hoecakes—guests can sip on yummy cocktails, all priced under $9. Options include raspberry sangria, apple mimosa, and brunch punch, featuring rotating flavors of house-made sherbet, whipped vodka, and house-made ginger ale. 243 Chestnut Street, (267) 273-0688, thelittlelionphilly.com
At the lively McKenzie Brew House, brunch patrons wash down the avocado Benedict or the chicken and eggs burrito with a refreshing complimentary pint, Bloody Mary, or champagne cocktail. 451 Wilmington-West Chester Pike, Chadds Ford, (610) 361-9800; 240 Lancaster Avenue, Malvern, (610) 296-2222; 324 W. Swedesford Road, Berwyn, (610) 407-4300, mckenziebrewhouse.com
Fishtown hangs Sancho Pistolas, accommodates mid-day eaters with a fantastic beer selection, and offers a dog solution's bracing hair. Entrées like chilaquiles Verdes and smoked salmon Reuben can be washed down with margaritas, mimosas, and Bloody Marys. 19 W. Girard Avenue, (267) 324-3530, sanchopistolas.com
It may look like a typical diner outside, but Silk City serves up anything but standard brunch fare in its dining room. And what better to go with smothered chicken and waffles, cider-braised pork belly hash, or mac-and-cheese-stuffed corn muffins than one of their specialty brunch cocktails or a beer from the 35+ bottle and can list? 435 Spring Garden Street, (215) 592-8838, silkcityphilly.com
A contender for one of the city’s best Bloody Mary variants resides at Pub & Kitchen, but the Bloody Rooster (with vodka and sriracha) is only one reason to visit. The menu of modern brunch fare (savory German pancake with caramelized onion and gruyere; creamed corned beef over rye) should be tempting enough on its own. 1946 Lombard Street, (215) 545-0350, thepubandkitchen.com
