No kids allowed: Adults-only restaurants in Philadelphia

Photo courtesy of Assembly Rooftop Lounge via Facebook

By Kalena Thomhave

February 27, 2024

We love kids, but we also understand that sometimes you want to book a babysitter, get out of the house, and relax in peace and quiet. Some Philadelphia restaurants understand that too.

We’ve compiled a list of popular Philly restaurants and bars that, at least sometimes, allow only adults. Some places are fully child-free and require all visitors to be at least 21 years old. More common is that restaurants and bars initiate specific times during which only adults can enter — like, for example, after a certain time in the evening — or they have specific spaces that are for adults only.

When you dine out at these Philly businesses, you can rest assured you won’t need to filter your conversation (or panic if kids were in earshot when you didn’t filter your conversation).

Tattooed Mom

The bar Tattooed Mom is a South Street institution, and a family-friendly one at that — unless you’re dining upstairs, where guests must be 21.

Mom’s offers delicious bar favorites like wings, pierogies, and burgers — and pretty much everything can be made vegan, too. Weeknight specials, like Meatless Monday and Taco Tuesday, draw in crowds for favorite foods. And of course, it’s a bar, so you can order the beverage of your choice — but don’t sleep on Mom’s own crafted cocktails.

Besides food and drinks, Tattooed Mom has made a reputation for itself as a quasi-gallery of street art, so be sure to wander around and admire the space before you grab your munchies.

Human Robot

The Kensington brewery Human Robot is open to families before 2 p.m., but after that time the tiny space only allows adults ages 21 and older.

Besides the brewery’s long list of interesting beverage options, it also shares its space with a restaurant — Poe’s Sandwich Joint. So, you can order a flight of beers as well as your choice of a huge sandwich (there are more than a dozen creative sandwich options on the menu!) along with an order of specialty fries.

Attico Rooftop Lounge

The trendy Attico Rooftop Lounge sits atop the Cambria Hotel in the middle of Center City, where it serves upscale food and drinks to a 21+ crowd.

You can visit Attico no matter the season, as seating is available both indoors and outdoors on the rooftop. You can visit at different times of the day too, as Attico is open for brunch on the weekends, happy hour during the week, and dancing and bottle service late at night.

Definitely prepare for a fancy evening, as the dress code (“fashionable attire”) is strictly enforced. But you’ll want to do that anyway — you don’t always leave the kids at home and feast on delectables like arancini and gnocchi!

Libertee Grounds

Combining food, drinks, and mini golf, Libertee Grounds is virtually an adult playground. Libertee is typically only open to adults ages 21 and up, except on Sunday, when it welcome families between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. (Families with kids are always allowed in the outdoor beer garden, though.)

The mini golf bar just completed an expansion, which saw Libertee add another mini golf course with a Philly theme and another bar. That means more adults-only space in which to hang. Lest you think Libertee Grounds is like other mini golf bars popping up across the country, you should know that the bar only serves hyperlocal beer made within a 40-mile radius.

As for food, the menu features bar favorites with an Asian-American twist, like masala nachos and Korean BBQ sandwiches. You can also hit up happy hour during the week or Sunday brunch.

Assembly Rooftop Lounge

Located on the ninth story of the Logan Hotel, Assembly Rooftop Lounge features lovely views of the city, a complex drink list, and both all-weather and outdoor spaces. In addition, Assembly is only open to adults ages 21 and up.

The place is first and foremost a bar, with specialty cocktails, wine, and beer, but you can easily have dinner here too. Though the restaurant only serves what it calls “small bites,” the menu includes flatbreads, charcuterie, and even a burger. Don’t forget to save room for dessert — there’s fondue!

Martorano’s Prime Philadelphia

It’s no surprise that Martorano’s Prime Philadelphia does not allow anyone under the age of 21 to enter the restaurant, because no one under the age of 21 can even get to the restaurant’s front door — it’s located inside Rivers Casino. But you need not be a gambler to enjoy Martorano’s!

The chef behind the restaurant (and its name) is Steve Martorano, a Philadelphia native who has opened restaurants across the country and who finally came home to open Martorano’s Prime Philadelphia in 2023. Martorano described the Italian steakhouse as a “unique atmosphere with a nightclub effect” that serves Italian favorites like pasta, seafood, and meatballs alongside steak.

In a nod to the fun and adult-only ambiance, the restaurant TVs often play classic films with Italian flair like “The Godfather,” “Moonstruck,” and “Goodfellas.”