Great Philly joint to review for my 300th! Â Probably the coolest place I've ever had a drink. Â Won't find it if you're not looking for it, which just adds to the experience. Â Walked through the first door and it was dead quiet, which made me question what I was walking into, but walking through the second door and into the Ranstead room I knew I was somewhere special. Â Bartenders look like they're straight out of the Mad Men days. Â Took a seat in one of the booths and one of the two bartenders immediately came over with glasses of water and a drink menu. Â Drinks go for $12, but you're getting a quality cocktail. Â I had two of the bulldog coolers and they were delicious. Â If you're really into fine drinks and a bit adventurous, I definitely recommend going for the bartender's choice. Â Tell him what types of alcohol you enjoy and they'll whip something pretty unique up for you. Â Such a great place to just go and chill after a night out in the city. Dark, cozy, great drinks, great company. Â Can't beat it.
Review Source:About two weeks back, a friend proposed we grab a bite at El Rey. Having only been there once before, prior to achieving legality, I decided to accept his invitation and check it out again. Little did I know his true intention behind suggesting Starr's take on traditional fish tacos.
After we finished our meal I was drunk off of margaritas and the night was already looking up. And then my friend surprised us all.
"Want to check out this bar?"
"Sure, where is it?"
"Through there."
He was pointing at the wide swinging double doors behind which stood a poorly concealed kitchen. Surely he was mistaken. As we waited for our check I studied the door and noticed a striking peculiarity; about once every 3 minutes, a waitress would lead a group of recently finished customers through the exact doors my friend had indicated earlier. We anointed him the "asker" and he got our waitresses attention after she had taken our check. He asked her to show us to the Ranstead Room and she obliged.
This place was a gorgeous throwback to a time when booze was illigal, and indoor lighting hadn't quite been figured out. Luckelly, I read somewhere that not having lights helps you taste better. That would be one explanation for why the drinks were so amazing. The bartenders were clearly craftsmen of the highest degree and I loved the touch of having them come out from behind the bar to take our order.
This was a throwback to simpler time/ A time which, if the Ranstead Room is any indication, might just have been a better time.
As few of us actually remember Prohibition, much less an original speakeasy from that time, all we are left with is the romanticized version that time/history seems to impart. Starr has interpreted the "speakeasy" concept through ambiance only and he (and his talented designers), have focused on an upscale dimly lit club where the only entrance credential is prior planning and the courage to walk down a lesser known side street. Note: Stop by and if they are busy, give them your cell phone number and a blocked call will alert you when you can enter.
My date and I were eating at El Rey and we mentioned to our waitress and subsequently the restaurant manager that our next stop was The Ranstead Room. They asked us if we'd be interested in getting in through the shared kitchen. As I am big fan of mob movies, think "GoodFellas", any opportunity to walk in to an exclusive bar through the back way sounded like an adventure! The manager put us on the list and then let us know when we made it to the top. He then escorted us through the kitchen, all hands on deck practically saluting us and at attention (no drama of an open kitchen for us), down a set of stairs, through the storage areas, and up another set of stairs which put us in Randstead's front vestibule. Ok, that was fun, but not something that should be attempted while intoxicated with low head clearances and uneven steps.
Once in, we were promptly led by a gracious hostess to a two-top that was barely lit. I ordered the bartenders choice, and was asked a series of questions when I told them I was open to anything. I guess carte blanche here is a risky proposition instead of a creative license to have fun. My date who is a bit more reserved in his drinking choices ordered a classic cocktail. Our drinks arrived and his drink's presentation mirrored Randstead's bespoke cocktails. My drink was a play on the classic Manhattan, that was reinterpreted by flavor profile albeit slightly different ingredients and the same clean elegant presentation.
The real drama here is not the guests, the interior, or the retro paintings of women in dishabille, but the excellent bartenders. I watched in awe as they hand sculpted ice chunks, the exact precision of measurements (some just a cap full) and the fresh fruits and juices that are essential in to extracting the most flavor. The knowledge and technique employed in crafting a beautiful cocktail is this bar's hallmark. While some people may balk at the $12 price, all of the alcohol is top shelf and ice and water is not abused (read watered down drinks). You are getting your hard money's worth. The rest of the experience is just icing on the cake.
Dark. Â Sexy. Â Ooh so romantic. Â Am I talking about my ideal man or my favorite speakeasy? Â Both. Â I have been here on many occasion and each time the bartenders put a lot of love into making their drinks. Â The drinks are expensive but they are made strong. Â The environment is really what makes this an intoxicating place to get intoxicated. Â Naked paintings on the walls and a fabulous black lace velvet wallpaper make you feel like you are drinking in style. Â Get there early because this place is super popular.
Review Source:We had a marvelous time at RR last night - but we came with a group of 9 - a few straggled in later and seating for large groups is less than ideal. Â Drinks were $12 as usual and the bartender's choice was perfect for me. Â I had 3 "Blackmails" and one of my friends had 2 French 75's.
The Maloney swizzle is a colorful sweet treat as well.
Food was just OK. The cheese plate and chocolate mezcal popcorn were a hit, but the best bite of the night were the 2 orders of $10 (ouch) guacamole from El Rey's menu.
The charcutterie plate was uninspired and the raved about meatball sandwich was "meh" to me. Â (Try the Turkey club instead.)
Service was good - but we got there the moment they opened and as it got busier (round about 8 PM) servise slowed down. Â (This is to be expected).
Try to come early and leave before the "cool kids" arrive.
I still enjoy Ranstead - but now that I have been here thrice, no need to rush back.
And the $200+ tab was no joke!
P.S. Â Bring a flashlight!!!!
We were there kind of early in the evening on a Thursday -- so early, in fact that it was still light out, so we had no trouble getting in. Â It's disorienting when you walk in there -- in a good way, of course. Â It's so dark that you can't even really see the decor (nudie paintings, snakeskin bar stools) until your eyes finally adjust. Â A really great atmosphere.
We stayed for two drinks and were extremely pleased. Â For me, what set this place apart from other speakeasies in town is the "Bartender's Choice" option. Â I don't recall having seen that at other places, and while you could just ask the bartender to do that elsewhere, it's nice that it's listed as an option. Â I was a little wary of it at first thinking I was going to get some random drink with a liquor I don't like, but the bartender took a minute to discuss what kind of drinks I enjoy and based his selections off of that information. Â I was not disappointed bitter and boozy. Â Perfection. Â The bartender also told me about the drink (what was in it, was it their own in-house creation or an old standard). Â A great experience all around.
I recommend sitting at the bar if you're so inclined. Â The booths looked cozy and nice, but it was really fun and interesting to talk to the bartenders and see them mixing their drinks. Â Those men shake and muddle with ferocity :)
My 2nd favorite bar in Philly, but that's not to say that this place isn't amazing. Ranstead room is, of course, located on Ranstead Street! Tucked in an alleyway where there's nothing around it, I guess you'd really have to know where this place is or at least where to look to be able to find it. There aren't any signs or flashy lights to guide your way, so bust out that Yelp map to help you out. When you find Ranstead Room, walk inside and there will be someone there to take your name down. The times that I've come here, there was about an hour wait, so just go around the corner to a random bar to drink and wait for them to call you.
Ranstead Room isn't large by any means. I guess that fits right into the definition of a speakeasy. The bar itself is laid out with a bar against the wall, and multiple booths scattered throughout the floor. Dim lighting signifies that you'll be able to have a chill conversation with your peers, and not have to yell over one another to be able to be heard. As far as drinks go, you're coming here pretty much for cocktails. No Bud Lite is served here, nor shots of Everclear. Sad, I know, but sometimes you have to class it up. I ended up getting my usual order of the Manhattan. In a matter of minutes, your drink is mixed up and brought to your table. As far as a taste comparison, I thought that the Manhattan at Franklin Mortgage was tastier, but it was still pretty decent. A drink here ran me roughly $15 with tip, so be prepared to shell out if you're looking to get some serious drinking in.
I'd say, with any speakeasy, if you hate waiting, make sure to come early and skip the crowd. These places only seat about 20-25 people, and everyone tends to chill here for about an hour or so. This is an amazing bar that I've found on my trip to Philadelphia, and next time I'm looking to grab a drink, Ranstead Room is definitely on my hit list.
Love this place! One of my favorite speakeasies in Philly, though I've also had the most trouble getting into this place.
You have to walk through this sketchy alleyway to get there, and look for doors with a red circled 'R' painted on. No sign other than that. I've tried going a few times before with a group of friends, but I always ended up having to put my number down on a list and never got a call back. I wasn't sure if I failed some sort of speakeasy test...but at least Tria and Franklin Mortgage are nearby. I'd suggest going with just 2 people (or a very small group) and on weeknights or odd times.
I finally managed to get in one fortuitous night with the bf at around 1:00am. They have last call around 2, so it's much easier to get seats late. The atmosphere felt very retro...like "Mad Men." Dark bar, paintings of nude women on the wall, jazzy music.
The drinks are so delicious. I'd always suggest getting "Bartender's Choice" where you tell the bartender what kind of flavors you like (e.g. refreshing/rich, type of liquor, fruits, etc.) and the bartender will make you a custom drink. They're pretty strong too, so I felt pretty good after two drinks (both of which were perfect and the exact tastes I had requested)
$12 is a decent price for speakeasy cocktails, especially after seeing the usual $15-18 cocktails in NY
Terrific bar for a date! Super intimate, cozy environment that's dimly light. The decorations and the way the waiters are dressed really make you feel like you took a step back in time when you enter the red doors. The drinks are delicious as well, especially if you like some of those old-time cocktail recipes.
Definitely check it out if you're looking for a more off-the-path place to spend a quiet night!
In a city with multiple options for swanky cocktails, this place is just okay.
- Long wait, especially on a Saturday around 8:30pm, for just 3 people. Â We stuck around for 45 minutes and never got in. Â But on a different Saturday, a little later in the evening, I was part of a group of 5 and we were sat immediately. Â Strange inconsistency. Â Not their fault that they're popular and can't predict wait times, but if I were resolute on having a cocktail, this wouldn't be my first choice because who knows if I'd get in.
- The moody wallpaper of the entrance foyer builds up your expectations. Â Once you're lucky enough or wait long enough to get inside, I found it a little disappointing. Â There's ambiance, and then there's just darkness - this is the latter. Â I had a hard time seeing my friends sitting across the table. Â Don't even bother trying to read the menu - they should offer a braille version. Â Their artwork is trying too hard to be unusual. Â Overall it lacked warmth and cohesion - two key components to getting me to stick around for more than one drink.
- Our drinks were fine. Â We all let the bartender shake up something of his own choosing for us (using each of our preferences as a guideline). Â Again, it felt like having that as an option on the menu built up the expectation for fabulousness, but no one was really blown out of the water by what they got, and a couple of us even received the exact same drink - whether that was due to laziness or busy-ness, it was a let down.
If you happen to be on this side of town, give it a try and judge for yourself, but for me, there are better speakeasy options (Franklin, Hop Sing).
One of the better ways to start or end a truly memorable evening in Philadelphia. The lights on the dimmer are usually one notch above 'off'. The nude art is killer. The textured wallpaper always makes me happy. The vibe is pitch perfect most nights; like you just stepped onto the set of a 'Mad Men' episide - a parallel universe dominated by atomizers and candied ginger peels.
Their 'bartender's choice' option has never left me wanting.
In addition, if you happen to be one of the lucky souls present when they do last call, ask your server what his or her 'desert island' cocktail would be. Then order it. If you're a human and you enjoy life, chances are you won't be disappointed.
I had always wanted to go to Ranstead Room and when I finally did it became my favorite bar without a doubt. Â I sat at the bar (which is the best seat in the house) with every intention of experiencing as many different cocktails as possible without becoming my usual ultra sophisticated self. Â haha. Â
I made a note in the captain's log that the 'Pinky Fizz' was especially delicious. Â It was the first time I saw bartenders as artists, different ice formats, raw egg and alcohol as a plus and a special glass for every drink. Â All these pleasures were enjoyed in a room straight from all the coolest vampire stories ever written. Â I mean that in the darkest, suavest, sexiest way. Â
This place makes you feel like a rockstar. Â
That is all
I went here on my birthday with a few friends and we got seated right away. It was 7pm on a Saturday so I guess we got lucky. Â We each had one drink and 3 out of the 4 people enjoyed what they ordered. The service was fine, nothing special. The place is very small and every table was full the entire hour we were there. It took awhile to get our drinks but that's pretty standard at any speakeasy in town. This place is definitely easier to find that most people told me it would be. It's on Ranstead Street right behind El Rey. Â While just as expensive as Franklin Mortgage, I thought their drinks were smaller and not as interesting. If I had to chose, I'd pick Franklin Mortgage over Ranstead Room. Â Warning: this is not a good option for parties larger than 4. Check it out but don't expect to be blown away.
Review Source:Sultry, smooth, red-hot... and that's just the wallpaper! Â Hidden in a Northwest Rittenhouse alley, it is a perfect spot for low key drinking and high-end style. Delightful music smooths the clientele's hushed chatter and smatterings of laughter. Â Great spot for a night out with friends before or after you partake in boisterousness.
Sip slowly, the drinks disappear quickly. Â Stellar punches, warm nightcaps, strong liquors in viscous syrups. Â It's hard to choose! Â I recommend whichever combination sounds strongest and least sugar-saturated. Save yourself money, time, and a dreadful hangover.
This reminds me of a place that Draper and Sterling might accompany on an evening they find themselves avoiding the trip home to the wives.
Located off a fairly deserted end of Ranstead street, you'd probably walk right past without a thought unless you knew what was inside. There's a speakeasy feel with an unassuming front vestibule, murmured crowd and vintage art with fancy drinks served under dim lighting.
This is a good weeknight spot; hit it at the right hour and you'll be able to avoid a defeatingly long line. Â Weekends would be another story, however.
Without trying to exaggerate too much, I'll have to say that this is my favorite speakeasy of all the ones I've been to, here and in New York.
It is rather hard to get seating but that goes for all of the popular places. When we walked in around 1:00am, there was ample bar seating and we were able to get seated immediately. Odds are tougher for groups or earlier evening times.
The establishment is styled exactly what you would expect a bar in "Mad Men" to look like. Dim lighting, paintings of scantily clad women, plush seating and neatly dressed bartenders and hostesses. There are nice selections of predesigned cocktails and you also can't go wrong with the bartender's choice--thoughtful and catered to your specific tastes. Perfect price point at $12 per drink.
This place was exactly what I wanted it to be. An insanely dark speakeasy with fantastic, serious cocktails and nude paintings on the walls. You enter either through the El Vez kitchen or through the back alley before plunging into the darkness. Then you sink into the high backed booths and speak in hushed voices. It just feels right.
I'd come for cocktails a couple nights a week in the winter if I had more money.
Drunken winds blew me into this spot with my lady and one of my buddies. We were already "slightly" buzzed and poured into this place like a bat out of hell. I love non-descript bars and this place had a nice vibe to it. I could see it being a risky choice on a more busy night because there is limited space but we hit it on a Tuesday so there were tables. Â There are a few other decent spots in Philly but I'm definitely adding this place to my circuit.
Review Source:I am a big fan of a good speakeasy. And this is certainly a good speakeasy. Good drinks, all priced at $12. The drinks were very good, better than my experience at Hop Sing Laundromat. The bartender was good and enjoyable to watch craft each cocktail. A very nice, romantic bar for a great little date with the girlfriend. And the location is really cool.
Definitely give this place a shot when you're in the mood for a romantic night and some $12 well crafted cocktails.
The Ranstead Room is one of the places when I first walked in, I thought I might run into Don Draper smoking at the bar. This place is just that cool.
This isn't the type of place for big groups, and since the drinks are pricey, I wouldn't recommend spending your whole night here. However, it's definitely worth the experience.
So, take a friend (really, three friends max) and get a spot at the bar. Order your cocktail. Actually, just go for the bartender's special. Trust them. They know what they're doing. Last time I was here, I got a lovely boozy lime fizzy drink. It was just what I was in the mood for. Enjoy your drink (slowly), and if you can afford another, repeat!
Unfortunately I had to work early the day after my first Ranstead Room experience, so I couldn't sample as many drinks as I wanted. Â However, I really enjoyed it anyhow. Â My two friends and I ate dinner at El Rey and alerted our server to our desire to be on the list for RR. Â About 30-45 minutes later, they called my phone to let me know our table was ready. Â We got to take the fun route, which consists of going through the kitchen and basement, so it really feels like you're going to a speakeasy. Â Once you're inside, it's every bit as dark, red, and sexy as you'd imagine. Â Definitely a great place for a date, but I had fun with my friends, too.
Our server was a perky Australian (?). Â She was helpful when I asked her which was the best choice for someone who had obligations early the next morning. Â I had read so much about the Bartender's Choice, but she directed me to the Son of a Bee Sting. Â She did not steer me wrong; this drink smells like heaven and tastes amazing, too. Â If you don't like ginger it isn't for you, but if you do, full speed ahead. Â Just make sure you get what you ordered; we had one instance where the server misheard us and my friend was given the wrong thing.
My friends sampled the Brown Derby, the Carroll Gardens, something with absinthe, and one other that I can't recall. Â These drinks are strong and not to be trifled with. Â So, naturally I left my two friends there on their 3rd cocktails around 12:30 am.
Hey, they didn't have to be anywhere the next day.
I will definitely go back, this time when I've got the appropriate schedule to recover if need be. Â That Bartender's Choice is waiting for me.
You go down Ranstead street haldway to find a small row house with no signs. Â You know you're at the right place because there's a slightly industrial door for what should be the front door. Â You go into a dark foyer light by a glowing red bulb before pushing through the peak windowed door into the main bar. Â I can best describe it as entering the bat house at the Zoo...you go into a quiet and dimly red lit room that is the barrier between the real world, and a stranger place that feels slightly like a dream.
Inside, the walls are lined with velver wallpaper and adorned with pin-up style paintings. Â There are plush booth to slip into, or pull up a stool at the bar so you can survey the whole room.
The music can only be described as eclectic. Â You feel like you're in a 1970's movie, but it's not cheesy or gimicky. Â The barternder's moustache and suspenders are real, the extensive use of vinyl and velvet somehow work, and you feel like you're in another time.
There are plenty of interesting concoctions you've never thought of, so order 1 or 2 to start off with, but by the time you're ready for  third, live on the edge a little and order the Bartender special.  He'll grill you with a few questions before making you something that would have probably sounded unappetizing in print, but it delicious once it hits your lips.  I was given a Manhattan made with Tequila and chocolate...amazing!
If you go, be sure to be patient as it's a very small room and hard to get a seat. Â You can leave your cell # with the bartender and they'll call you when there's an opening. Â
An excellent place to take a date for good conversation, odds are she's never been here, let alone even heard of it, and regardless of what else may be going on, you don't even think about there possibly being something better going on anywhere else. Â Once you go you're torn between telling all your friends what an awesome place you found, and never telling them so you don't spoil it's charm.
Ehhh. This place tries really hard. Â
This Starr interpretation of a speakeasy has some things going for it. Velvet brocade wallpaper, cozy booths, dim lighting. All good.
But there are some huge, glaring flaws. Â For one, the decor is kind of ruined by the boob art all over the place. Not because it's nudity, but because they're exceptionally tacky.
The naked chick pics that they have up kind of remind me of the paintings of bread and sandwiches that in are in Panera. They were created (poorly) and tacked on the walls because the owner thinks there should be art...but maybe they could get actual art? Would it hurt to get some Man Ray prints? Or maybe some nude paintings by an actual, talented artist?
Second, the servers (at least ours) have no knowledge of the menu. Or of the liquor that they have behind the bar. Â If you're going to have a special drink menu, with only about 8 drinks total, you should be able to pick a favorite, or at least be able to talk about them.
Third, they are trying SO HARD to be Franklin and Mortgage. Franklin and Mortgage makes people wait outside because they're busy. Because they have a line, and they're at capacity. They don't make people wait in the lobby (actually, we didn't wait in the lobby--we walked back into it directly before the hostess actually did, and then reentered the bar 30 seconds later) when there are several empty tables and multiple empty seats at the bar. When you try to act busy, and you're not actually busy, it's kind of embarrassing.
Fourth, drinks took forever. Â Note empty tables and empty seats. F&M also only has 2 bartenders...and about the same amount of tables. I've never waited 30 minutes for a drink there.
Fifth, how do you screw up a Manhattan??
Like others before me, I really don't want to write a review about this place because I don't want people to know about it.
Seriously, stay away. Â Leave me and my awesome cocktails alone, and don't make it so that I have to wait for a phone call telling me that there's a spot open at the bar.
Shoo, off with you now.
On a more serious note though, I really am a big fan of this place. Â Â It's the perfect place to take a date for after-dinner drinks. Â The best description of the vibe of the interior is sexy cave. Â You have to stroll down a dark alley and find a nearly-unmarked door to get in. Â It's dark. Â The walls are covered in red velvet wallpaper and paintings of naked ladies. Â The booths are deep and upholstered in leather. Â The bar has a leather pad at the front. Â Everything just screams 1970s Playboy Mansion here. Â It's awesome.
The cocktails are what you come for here, though. Â They're incredible whether you order from the menu, give the bartender a recipe, or just ask them to pull something out of their hat based on a few tastes or liquors you enjoy. Â Doing the latter is always fun. Â It's entertaining to see them cooking up various creations when you give them a combination of obscure boozes. Â And, unlike many places, they know the classics. Â Many places these days will look at you funny if you order a silver gin fizz. Â These guys, however, will give you a knowing nod and whip up the best damn silver gin fizz you've ever had.
It was a beautiful night in Philadelphia.
The rain had fallen just enough to cool the balmy air and release the thick, stagnant, summer heat wave stickiness from the streets. You could actually breathe. There was a calm energy that only comes from good prana and fresh oxygen.
It was the perfect night for our first visit to the Ranstead Room.
Was blessed to be out with an LA Yogini visiting town for a bit and we were having a blast. The evening was spent talking about chakras, teachers, and practice, while exchanging memories of the past and dreams for the future.
Ducking down the narrow alley, we quickly made out the RR on the nondescript building...It was pure stealth, a ninja like entrance into a damn near magical combination of new school zen and old school American style.
Inside was so dark, so cool, so next level.
Darkness is my friend when it comes to bars and lounges, especially when in an urban environment. And this place is dark. Like film noire dark. So dark that you must share the two candles on the table to even begin to decipher the simple, yet elegant drink menu.
Our waitress was almost too smooth. Dressed in a sexy, kinda dangerous black dress and beyond knowledgable about the mixology going on behind the bar. She guided us through the myriad of combinations on the list with style and wisdom.
Her recommendations were on point...She had the Old Cuban, a fizzy combo of rum and champagne, I went with the Bartender's Choice...which was a citrus/scotch drink that was a bold and tasty concoction...
Proper Drinks + Lot's of dark + Top notch service + Beautiful woman = Happy :)
Then we just melted into some deep conversation and sank into the comfortable booth. Everything at RR is so unobtrusive and so mellow...It's a place to really get to know someone and have an exquisitely crafted cocktail along the journey.
Could go on and on...But here's the most amazing thing....
And this is something that's never come out of my mouth or through my tapping fingers...This Steven Starr place has class.
Nothing else needs to be said...
It's dark. Â After sending a photo of the bar to a friend, he responded "where the hell are you drinking, a submarine with inexpicably good cell reception?"
After using my cell phone display as a light so I could read the display, I ordered the Bartender's Choice, which was a great decision. Â The cocktails were very well prepared with good ingredients and excellent execution.
It's small, cool, trendy and I feel like it's a newer Franklin Mortgage and Investment Co sort of place, reminiscent of Death & Co and similar joints in NYC. Â I enjoyed it, but I feel like my enjoyment would've been a lot lower if I'd had the other bartender. Â The one who helped me was friendly, helpful, and knowledgable.
My real rating is about 3.5 stars, because it felt a bit too fake and inauthentic, but I enjoyed it despite the ridiculous prohibition disney feel.
I should tell my friends about this place, but I kind of enjoy it being my little secret...
In all seriousness, this place is amazing. Â I've been three times, and it does not disappoint. Â I sat at the bar for two visits and in the booths for one, and I definitely prefer the bar. Â It gives you a chance to watch the expert bartenders concoct your beverage, and they're often very helpful and talkative if you have questions. Â (I've learned that you should shake drinks with citrus and stir straight liquor drinks constantly for a minute or so to remove some of the burn!) Â
The seasonal menus are nice, but if you want to make the trip worth your time, get a bartender's choice. Â They'll ask you what kind of liquor you like, if you want it sweet or sour, so on and so forth. Â Sometimes they'll even make you a drink with a liquor you say you hate, just to prove that they can make you like it! Â This happened to me with gin (the worst) and wouldn't you know it... I got a Water Lily and loved it.
It can get a bit crowded on weekends and if there's not an open seat in the place... you'll be waiting out in the lobby or on the street until the door man (or lady) tells you they are ready for you.
Add this to your to-do list. Â You won't regret it.
pricey, well made drinks in a dark, intimate environment. Â Ranstead Room has taken the throne from Franklin.
On weekends, expect a long wait. And don't ever try to get a table for more than four. Â Even with the wait, they'll take your number and give you a call when you can be seated.
Good for a special occasion, but it's about the atmosphere here. The cocktails are good, but not amazing.
I kind of just want to give this place a bad review so people won't know about it! I can't deny it, though, it is one of the best kept secrets in Philadelphia.
It came as a shock when I requested a trip to this bar, because I don't drink hard liquor. I just can't stand the taste of it, so my friends thought bringing me hear would be a waste of 11 bucks (yes, each drink is 11 dollars). I ordered three drinks over the course of the night, all bartender's choice, and all containing gin. Up until that night gin and I were enemies. I can't stand it, and when I walked in the first thing I said was "anything that doesn't involve gin." My bartender got crafty though, and tricked me into a lavender fizz with egg whites and my once-despised drink. Every drink was flawless. Flawless.
The setting is enough to make this a standout. So dark you almost can't see, with one dim candle on each private booth. It's almost like you're the only one in the room, until you catch a glimpse of the vintage style bar and bartenders. I felt like I was in Mad Men the entire time, so make sure you get dressed up for the part!
We skipped the food, but Starr restaurants don't dissappoint. Plus the bar shares a restaurant with El Rey, so you know there's good food coming to you.
If you go here, get bartender's choice. It's a personal experience that you really, really won't regret. I love this bar. I would go every night if it were an option financially. Such a classy and crazy place!
The decor, atmosphere... yada, yada... yes, it's great here.
Far outshining anything else associated with this spot... their Chocolate Rum Old Fashioned. It is nothing short of freaking phenomenal. GET THIS!!!
We put in a little work last night... also had their Jungle Bird, Rye Grin, Brooklynite, and Arsenic & Old Lace... along with a slew of Chocolate Rum Old Fashions. Those I can immediately recall... who knows what else. Anyway, everything was solid... except for that FREAK'N AMAZING Chocolate Rum Old Fashioned.
I do also appreciate the pics of a young Ron Jeremy & Vanessa Del Rio as the identifiers on their respective bathrooms.
If you don't want to deal with a line / crowd go late at night early in the week... you'll be seated immediately.
PS... I'm generally not a fan of Steven Starr places. (...and equally kitschy Quentin Tarantino films) The Ranstead Room is my Inglourious Basterds.
Move over Franklin, Ranstead's my new favorite! Â Hidden behind a door with two R's in an alley, this speakeasy makes for a unique date or special hangout with a few of your closest buddies. (no more than 4). At first I was taken aback by the dim lighting, but it grew on me instantly whisking me back to the 1920's.
So, let's talk about the drinks. They are POTENT!!! My friend got the Prado, the tequilla and egg white heaven. She was almost so happy she could sing Cascada's dance hit "Heaven"..Plus, the servers were easy on the eye and super helpful when ordering the drinks.
For those of you who cannot drink but still want to have a good time with your friends who do imbibe, please consider the GINGER ALE. Yes, I said it ginger ale. They make all their juices in house, FRESH, Â the day of. The ale took my mouth by storm. It was like ginger packed with a superpunch, literally! They also put two slices of candied ginger on the side of the glass, which was probably my only complaint of the entire drink. This fresh ale only knocks you back $2.50! #winning
The only downside of the Ranstead is that seating is super limited. If you want almost guaranteed seating, get there by 7pm latest. As the night goes on, it's a crap shoot as to how long you'll wait for a table.
While we all know about the prison shiv, what is less well known is the ability of a jealous woman to use but a mere glance to gut you like a fish for...wandering eyes.
You see, the Ranstead Room is a really cool, sublime speakeasy near the corner of Ranstead and 20th.  If you are not careful, you could easily walk on by and head merrily down dimly lit, deserted Ranstead St. and  perhaps encounter your own literal experience with a shiv.
After a twenty minute indoor wait, we were shown to our seats at the bar. Â The Negroni I had was superb, and I allowed our bartender to make my second drink, the only request that it be citrusy. Â The Casino she came up with was wonderful and I strongly recommend that you try it. Â (It was a bit noisy in there, and at first I thought she said "langostino" and had a profound sigh of relief when my drink showed up without the morbid remains of a crustacean garnishing the glass).
Anyway, what caused my near loss of kidneys was the fact that there are murals of naked women all about the walls and I found myself fighting the primordial urge to gawk at these two-dimensional beauties. Â If my eyes wandered away, ever so slightly, from my lady or my drink, I faced a metaphorical spleenectomy.
So, if you possess hardened carbonite self control or a very understanding other, you will find this venue about as cool as it gets. Â If not, you had best wear blinders or you will be an unwilling organ donor.
I walked in and was immediately disappointed. The speakeasy thing is a good idea, but this one was executed in a way that was just too Steven Starr. It was crowded, and the crowd was clearly a little more focused on looking swanky than enjoying a well-poured cocktail.
I should mention that I am something of a bar and cocktail snob. I judge a place by the quality of its ice, so don't listen to me. The more people who go here, the shorter the line at Franklin, so by all means, go to Ranstead Room RIGHT NOW.
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