Upscale Bars and Lounges

Hi,

I am doing some research for some friends who are trying to decide where to go on vacation this year, and the draw for them is that they want to be able to go to some really classy bars and lounges.

They are prepared to spend $$$ and are looking for the 25-45 year old crowd (basically they don%26#39;t want to be surrounded by a bunch of people who just hit the drinking age and are looking to go crazy. Not that there%26#39;s anything wrong with that...).

I will be posting this in a few of the other cities they are looking at but any recommendations would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Upscale Bars and Lounges

Here are some of my favorites:

The Rotunda at the Ritz Carlton - gorgeous space, but be prepared for $14 glasses of wine

Tank Bar at Friday Saturday Sunday - the most intimate bar in Philadelphia

Standard Tap - best gastropub in Philly that specializes in local brews - the food is excellent as well

Monk%26#39;s Cafe - amazing ';Bible of Beers'; - they specialize in Belgium ales - and excellent mussels and frites

Il Bar - part of Ristorante Panorama in the Penn%26#39;s View Hotel - largest selection of wines in the city - great wine flights

Tria - trendy bar that focuses in beer, cheeses and wine

McGillin%26#39;s - the oldest bar in Philly - just a great pub with pub grub and reasonably priced beers - lots of fun, but can get really crowded

Black Sheep Pub - great Irish bar near Rittenhouse Square

The Bards - next to the Irish pub in Philadelphia, but don%26#39;t go there - head to the Bards, where they imported everything inside from Ireland and it%26#39;s understated and quaint and not full of college kids.

There%26#39;s more, of course, but this is a start. Hope it helps!

Suzanne

Upscale Bars and Lounges

Tria is definitely a good choice if you like wine. In general, I would stick around the Rittenhouse square area. Some of the upscale places would be Rouge, Pearl, any of the Stephen Starr places are great (Continental, Buddakhan, Pod, Washington Square). I think on the %26#39;clubbier%26#39; side, The Walnut Room and Denim come to mind. The ';boys'; might enjoy ';Mahogany';- a cigar and scotch type of place.