Philly's Best Happy Hours: Barclay Prime's $6 Cocktails, Wine & Beer, and Discounted Bites
Welcome to Philly’s Best Happy Hours, a feature highlighting great happy hours in different neighborhoods throughout Philadelphia. Since Drink Philly started out as a place to find happy hours in the city, we thought it was only right to return to our roots and turn the spotlight on some of Philly’s absolute best happy hour deals.
Photo via Barclay Prime
This week, our spotlight is on Barclay Prime, Stephen Starr's crown jewel steakhouse located just off Rittenhouse Square. Open since 2004, Barclay Prime's dark, luxurious atmosphere, decadent steak and seafood dishes (including their famous $100 cheesesteak), and refined drink selections have helped define Philadelphia's fine dining scene.
Though Barclay Prime may seem as though it's purely a destination for special occasions, their happy hour is approachable and even affordable while remaining as upscale as the restaurant itself. The restaurant has recently introduced a new iteration of their happy hour, which takes place in the bar and lounge Mondays through Fridays from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM.
As far as drinks go, guests can choose from four different specialty cocktails, all of which go for just $6 (an incredible steal). No matter your taste, you'll find something to like amongst the choices, which include the The Chrony (Jim Beam rye, tobacco-infused vermouth, sorghum syrup), The Barclay Cosmo (Ketel One Citröen, cranberry juice, lime), Taking Bribes (Sauza blanco tequila, mandarin carrot ginger cordial, Betenzen apple liquor, lemon), and Mediterranean Sundance (Contratto vermouth, Manuel Acha vermouth, Dolin Rouge vermouth, and Mediterranean tonic).
Many names on the happy hour list, as well as the regular cocktail list, refer to the ABSCAM scandal (recently retold in the 2013 film American Hustle), some of which took place in the building itself when it was the Barclay Hotel. In addition to cocktails, you can find an excellent selection of wines and beers for $6 a glass.
If you're looking to sample some of Barclay's food as well, you can do so at excellent prices during happy hour. The most extravagant item, the Alaskan king crab roll, goes for $18, but you can also find aged beef sliders for $10, hamachi crudo for $9, steamed edamame with truffle salt for $7, a cheese board with 3 selections for $15, and more.
"With Barclay Prime's revamped happy hour offering, we were looking to align the early evening after work crowd with menu items that would also be right at home in our main dining room as well as our our standard dinner menu," says Tom Austin, the restaurant's general manager.
"The selection of lighter bites are perfect for an after work nibble with friends and co-workers, with a few pairings that can fill even the heartiest of appetites. Add to it a selection of cocktails and other drink options to please every palate, combined with the unmistakable ambiance of the Barclay lounge and bar, making it, our happiest hour."
Photo via Barclay Prime
Don't wait for a birthday or anniversary to head to Barclay — stop in during happy hour, order a stiff cocktail and some sliders, and enjoy one of Philadelphia's most opulent restaurants at irresistable prices.
All other photos via Drink Philly
