Circ At the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown

When you walk into the Marriott look straight back and you’ll see Circ. It’s a small bar with tons of seating. And it has great comfy seating as well as bar style seating at the bar and in the center. There are a few huge televisions that were playing football on them just to add some backsplash I believe.
Me and a friend came here after unsuccessfully trying to get a quick drink in New Year’s Eve at surrounding bars. Most were already closed for events that night so this spot became our destination.
The place was ridiculously packed, somehow the ONE (1, single, lone etc) bartender was quick on his feet and got to everyone quickly without much delay. Answering questions with a smile and not sloppily making drinks. I found this amazing.
Our drinks were overpriced and small, but what do you expect from a hotel bar? I was here before year sago and there was happy hour that had served food and drink specials. Not sure if it’s still the case but worth checking out.

Service was great. A bit pricey for drinks. Conveniently located since we were staying there and at a conference in the convention center.

Centrally located, great service. Good meeting spot. Expensive but worth it. Good for hanging out after a day of sightseeing.

Convenient meeting spot for drinks if you are meeting up with others at the hotel. I stayed here last October for a conference with coworkers. We met here a few times to unwind for drinks before dinner and after a long day. They have a lot of different signature cocktails. Bartenders are friendly. One even suggested a cheaper way to get to Philadelphia from NYC by train! Very warm and accommodating.

Great place to lounge and chat — not too loud and plenty of places to sit.
The drinks are often prepared inconsistently, though. Sometimes my campari would come with an orange and other times it would not. Even their ‘signature’ cocktails would have a different garnish than what was specified on the menu at times.

Great place to have meetings with clients when I’m on the move in the city and get something to eat and a drink. Very open feeling atmosphere.

Want a place to lounge, drink, nosh, and chat in late at night in the City Hall area? Then check out this place inside the Marriott (I didn’t know it had a name, and now that I do … I’ll still call it the bar at the Marriott). They’ve got comfy chairs, decent service, upscale patrons, lots of light, and not-​too-​annoying music that is not obnoxiously loud. Yes, the drink and food menu can serve as exhibit A for boring, conventional, and overpriced. Yes, our seats hadn’t been cleaned of crumbs from the previous patrons. Yes, our server could have been better. But I don’t know any other places in the area where you can have a relaxed, civilized drink late at night — and that’s got to be worth something.

The Circ provides a convenient option for guests of the Marriott. Even though it’s located in the middle of the hotel, the area is designed so that you are not distracted by people walking through the lobby or gawked at by them and service is reasonably attentive. The drink menu is a little pricey, and with the Marriott’s central location to some great restaurants and bars that would give you a better glimpse into Philadelphia, I’d say check out some of the other options in the neighborhood if you have the energy to walk a few blocks.