El Bar, Fishtown
14 people recommend, 4 warn against itvia r/philadelphia, r/philly22 comments cited below
What people say, in short
Most people recommend El Bar, and a couple call it a Fishtown dive where you meet new people, though one thinks it may not suit meeting people. One says unfinished song requests get replayed for others later, and one prefers its outdoor spot to another bar's while another says it could suit a group but is cash only. The downsides: a few say it has changed or feels less welcoming than before, and a couple say prices rose.
Address
El Bar, 1356 N Front St, Philadelphia, PA 19122
At a glance
- Opinions divided
- Yes
- Known for
- Outdoor area
Nearby on this map
Other places on this map closest to El Bar, Fishtown, as the crow flies.
The evidence
Every point below is paraphrased from a real public comment, ordered by how much the community engaged with it. Caveats and negatives are kept in — follow any link to read the original for yourself.
- Recommendsu/TiittySprinkles in r/philadelphia · Jun 2026ambience
Says its outdoor spot is better than Bottle Bar East's.
- Recommendsu/kellyoohh in r/philly · Nov 2025
Recommends El Bar in reply to a request for bar recs in Northern Liberties.
- Recommendsu/beaupsmith in r/philly · Apr 2026
Says El Bar fits the request when asked for a dive bar.
- Mixedu/kkh8 in r/philly · Nov 2025
Only ever made bad choices there but loves it anyway.
- Recommendsu/nathanfielderfan420 in r/philly · Nov 2025ambience
Loves it, calls it a true Fishtown dive where you always meet someone new.
- Recommendsu/tres_sore_fores in r/philly · Apr 2026
Repeats El Bar as a fitting suggestion alongside two other bars.
- Caveatu/Simon_the_Cannibal in r/philadelphia · Nov 2025ambience
Says it used to welcome everyone but now feels less welcoming.
- Recommendsu/omfgood in r/philly · Oct 2026ambience
Names El Bar, noting unfinished song requests get replayed later for others.
Show all 22 cited comments
- Recommendsu/Squeaky_Fr0mme in r/philly · Jun 2024
Suggests El Bar as a pick.
- Recommendsu/sunset484 in r/philly · Jun 2024
Suggests El Bar as a pick too.
- Recommendsu/AcanthocephalaOk6652 in r/philadelphia · Jun 2025ambience
Lists it among spots to visit for a hipster-leaning night.
- Recommendsu/PhillytoLAGuy in r/philly · Apr 2026
Agrees that El Bar fits the request.
- Recommendsu/stadams21 in r/philly · Nov 2024
Suggests this bar for going out alone.
- Recommendsu/iamthelazerviking23 in r/philly · Nov 2025
Lists it among bars usually open until 2.
- Mixedu/StockFly in r/philadelphia · Nov 2025
Still great though changed; main complaint is a regulars' pool crowd at one side.
- Recommendsu/f8worksbothways in r/philly · Dec 2024ambience
Says El Bar has one table and tends to see good pool games.
- Recommendsu/irishgambin0 in r/philly · Nov 2025ambience
Calls El Bar one of the top spots for meeting eclectic people and starting conversations.
- Caveatu/Username-sAvailable in r/philadelphia · Nov 2025
Unsure if they've outgrown it; not into the direction under new management.
- Caveatu/Willing-Pain-9893 in r/philly · Sep 2025price
Upset by a price increase; says heavy drinking days are mostly behind them.
- Caveatu/kevlarbaboon in r/philly · Sep 2025price
Stopped going after prices rose suddenly; hedges that the reason might be their own experience.
- Mixedu/thecoffeecake1 in r/philly · Jul 2024ambience
Calls the bar great but says it may not suit meeting people.
- Mixedu/Neghtasro in r/philadelphia · May 2024
Thinks El Bar's outdoor space could suit the group, but flags a practical catch.
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Freshness
Details last checked 13 Nov 2026. Recommendations reflect what people said at the time; confirm current details before you go.