Graffiti Bar — Restaurant in Philadelphia

Bae chicka bao wow 😯🥰

Trips to Philly and bar hopping in center city are not complete without a trip to Graffiti Bar, the tiny, edgy, colorful bar behind Sampan 🍱🍣 🖌🎨

Any time we’re in center city Philly, we try and get seats at Graffiti Bar, but we’re usually unsuccessful because they’re either closed for renovations or full. We still like to pop our heads in though in hopes we might get lucky 🍀👀

Graffiti Bar is worth the rejection and for that we’re giving them 5/5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Find a more detailed review below 👇🏾

Ambiance: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5 Stars) We came here early on a Friday for happy hour. We were there at around 4 pm as happy hour was starting and so, we were the first few people there, which was nice because we were able to get seats and spread out. By the time we left, two hours later, there were no seats and people were standing and crafting their own seats and tables. Graffiti bar is very small (holds about 30 people) making it feel intimate, cozy and exclusive. But we get claustrophobic walking down the tiny alleyway leading into the bar 😳 The walls are filled with graffiti and murals and the music and TVs are kept low, making it vibrant, cool, a great place to catch up with friends and an all around good time. It’s outdoors in a covered patio, which is great for Philly’s unpredictable weather 😅

Service: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5 Stars) The food and drinks came out fast. We waited no more than 5 minutes for each of the items we ordered. The staff was attentive and hospitable, quickly clearing out empty plates and glasses to make room for more people 👏🏾👍🏾

Food: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5 Stars) For food, we ordered the Kung Pao Chicken Wings, the Kobe Sliders, and the Pork Baos. The chicken wings were crispy and sweet and came with 6 wings, perfect for sharing or devouring on your own. The order of Kobe sliders brought two sliders, which were a nice size for sliders, cheesy and juicy. The bao buns came with two buns, which were fluffy, sweet, savory and the pork belly was nice and tender 🍔🍗

For drinks, we ordered the Tequila Scorpion Bowl to share and the Thai Punch, Summer in Okinawa, and Hashi Old Fashioned individually. The Scorpion Bowl was essentially a GIANT margarita, which we loved. The Summer in Okinawa was on the sweeter side, great for those who like sweeter cocktails. The Hashi Old Fashioned is a good option for those who enjoy old fashions and the Thai Punch was yummy and refreshing 🤤🍹🍸

Price: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5 Stars) We were there for happy hour and only ordered off of the happy hour food and drinks menu. We spent $6 per small plate/side and $9 a cocktail (except for the scorpion bowl which was $25 each). We spent about $70 + tax and tip, making it roughly $40 per person. It was a little pricey for happy hour but the food was delicious and filling and the drinks were well made and boozy, making it worth it in our...

Stumbled on this place while at Pride week the place was full inside and out. The greeter asked us if we wanted a table we said no can we sit at bar she said of course as a matter of fact you can sit at our bar deck and watch them make the food. We agreed to sit there which was like Hibachi style settings. Shortly after sitting down at the food bar I noticed a Asian man with a suit on (clearly a manager) look at us from across the room make a face as if he ate something sour and I read his lips and he appeared to say “oh wow” didn’t think anything maybe he was in the middle of convo. 10 mins after that the same manager walked over and asked me and my 2 friends did would we feel more comfortable at a table he can get has one ready. I was shocked and taking back so my words did not fly out smooth so my gf replied with “no thank you we like it here” the manager said okay but walked off as if he dropped the ball at the superbowl. The entire night it felt like the manger talked about us in a worrying manner to his colleagues another Asian woman, and a tall Caucasian man. They kept looking at us and talking like the mean girls in high school I felt so uncomfortable I couldn’t enjoy the atmosphere I kept saying I want to leave, Meanwhile our waitress was very nice upbeat and full of smiles the food was amazing and wine spritzer was refreshing. I’m not saying they are racist but I would never go back there because I felt singled out, profiled and some prejudice was definitely there. Not to mention but there was only 2 women of color seated at the regular bar and the dining tables filled with nothing but ppl of color and of course you have the three of us sitting at the bar deck. I will tell this story all over because ppl need to know where the trouble makers are. Good job...

Overall Rating Below

I am glad to say we stumbled across this gem by complete accident. There was a restaurant a couple doors down that wouldn’t seat 4 of us at the bar that was open for just one drink. I’m glad that was the case because a few blocks up was a mysterious alley that led to a super hip and poppin bar. Let’s just say that all the food that came out was some of the best food I’ve had the pleasure of eating. I think at one point a year trickled down my cheek. Yes that’s how good it was. If you love Lo mein, some of the best noodles I’ve ever had. Crab Rangoon was awesome with (in my opinion) the perfect ratio of cream cheese. The chicken boa buns are a must have. I REPEAT, A MUST HAVE! The bar was super packed and tight spaced and yet with all the hectic mess going on our server was not phased for one second. Honestly some of the best service I’ve ever had. I had a specialty old fashioned forgot the name but made beautifully. You have to be careful of places that batch their old fashioned which get me livid, but no not this place they made it perfect. I’m telling you right now this place is a must. A secret gem, which probably ain’t so secret anymore, but none the less, you will not regret this place. Few notes to take into consideration. It is first come first serve, you should get there earlier in the day around opening time if you want to get a seat. They have one long table and a bar, that’s it. Order from the menu and you should be fine it gets jammed up a bit but it’s worth it.

My overall score for this spot is a 9.2. Keep up the amazing job guys. Great restaurant/bar, awesome staff and great vibes.

Til next...