Fiume

So much craft beer, the bartender was *attentive* and very friendly, with beers ranging from $ 4 to $ 22. The chocolate flavored beer was interesting. I had an amazing time even drinking with two people I wonder what it would be like on a crowded night ;)

I have gone here on mad nights, I Have gone here on totally empty nighttime. I love it. My buddy lives a half block away, so we generally wind up doing that when we run out of thoughts. I favor it to Local 44 due to deficiency of sass from the waitstaff. The bartender is awe-​inspiring, well-​informed, and friendly, and the clientele is generally an intriguing combination.

This is the best. THE BEST. Seriously one of my absolute favorite bars in Philly.
— it is the diviest dive that ever dived. Chunks taken out of the plaster walls, box fans in the windows, boxes stacked against one wall.
— there are two «taps,» but they are lines run through a jockey box.
— you will most likely wander confused through the downstairs restaurant (Abyssinia) until someone tells you how to find the steep and rickety stairs.
— it’s a hipster bar that has been around since about 2002 and now pretty much reflects the neighborhood. Hipsters can be really nice people, so don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
And yet, all that adds to the charm. Granted, I have always gotten a seat, and I’ve never been there to watch the band (HOW do they fit a band in there?), so I’ve always been relatively comfortable and chill.
The bottle list is amazing. By far the best bottle bar in Philly. And the owner (Kevin) and bartender (Gavin?) are really friendly and willing to talk beer.
They also have a cocktail list and whiskey. Including an elusive bottle of Pappy.
I’m someone who likes to be comfortable. I like having my own seat. I like chatting with the bartender. I also love craft beer. Get here early and/​or in a weeknight and it’s a great time.
Have I mentioned I live in MontCo? I’m not a Penn student or neighborhood local. It’s a trek, but it’s worth it.
It’s a good thing it’s cash-​only, since it limits the amount I can spend in any given night. This place cleans me out. I always take home a few unique bottles I’ve never seen anywhere else.

Fiume is my favourite bar for cocktails and beer. Their beer selection is massive and their cocktails are super tasty. Also — every single bartender is extremely knowledgable about every drink served so recommendations are always spot on

In my opinion, this is actually the sole great, little pub to really go to in West Philly. Situated above Abyssinia, it was my favourite spot to meet a friend for a drink and great conversation when I lived over there. The atmosphere is very chill and also the beer selection is not terrible, either.

I’ll keep this short and simple and the truth!!! — yaaaay this month they put my drink on the chalkboard — Sazerac, made with rye whiskey. Get this cocktail. Also the Notes on Paper one is goooood! And come with friends so you can sit at the window box seat :)

A five star experience. Amazingly fresh cocktail ingredients, rediculous beer and bourbon selection, and an amazing atmosphere to boot! When you drink in this bar, you know you’re safe. The friendly bartenders don’t take unfriendliness very well– they kick out people BEFORE fights start, not after. Fiume is my go to bar, never felt more comfortable in a bar– drinking as it should be.

The most accurate assessment that I have of this place is that it is simultaneously more divey and less divey than I imagined. It’s super small and was packed on a Friday night– I can’t imagine how it gets when a band is playing. The craft beer list written on a chalk wall is really extensive and they also have many classic cocktails. They’re priced like fancy cocktails, but they’re definitely worth it. I got a Last Word and it was killer.
There is only room for one bartender and he seemed frazzled, but on top of everything. He took note of every patron, took beer orders first, and then made cocktails. So, we waited a little bit for drinks, but it wasn’t bad. We were lucky and got a table just as another group was getting up. It’s really cozy and warm in there, especially when it was freezing outside. I’ll definitely be back, hopefully earlier to sit at the bar when its less crowded. What a hidden gem!

Very hipster place with a lot of locals. Extensive list of craft beer, although a lot of people here just drink PBR. Extremely small space above Abyssinia with occasional live music. Even on a Monday night it’s packed as hell.

Considering that it’s a hole in the wall type place, here’s what you’ll get: great drink selection, very knowledgeable owner/​bar tender, CASH ONLY, very little seating, crappy tables and chairs. It’s grungy, yet interesting. Restaurant («Abyssinia» — Ethiopian cuisine) below can bring up their food which is really yummy by the way.

My favorite bar in West Philly and quite the hidden secret! Good mixed drinks and cocktails. Beautiful selection of beer. Love going on bluegrass and jazz nights! Good date place.

Love this place. Great vibe. Fantastic beer and whiskey selection. The bartenders know their stuff. If you are looking for a Philly cool spot this is it

Upstairs from Abyssinia, with no signage, no directions, and hidden behind a plain door with a metal sign simply turned to say ‘Open’ or ‘closed’, is Fiume.
This is what 18 year old me dreamed about having his college bedroom look like (and if any of the boys from PV Street ever read this, we are talking about a space the size of Ricks bedroom). Or preferably Ricks bedroom. A man needs to sleep.
You go in and a few simple tables are scattered around. The air conditioning is a set of window mounted fans that look like they are about to leap out to their death in the street below (many signs saying ‘DO NOT TOUCH THE WINDOWS’ suggest this has happened).
If you are early and/​or lucky and/​or wait for a table to sit at you can get food brought up from Abyssinia. Otherwise you can try to get a stool at the bar that lines the longest wall in the room and stands in front of a huge chalkboard with some, just some, of the available beers and cocktails listed. Or stand. It gets busy.
Behind the bar is Brian, one of the most affable and friendly barkeeps in philly. He’s knowledgeable, polite, friendly, knows his beer and according to witnesses makes a kickass cocktail. Which brings me to the drinks.
120 bottled or canned beers in a large cooler. 2 drafts. More rye whiskey than you can point a stick at, just as many bourbons, a menu of prohibition era cocktails with a twist, and two draft beers. All in Ricks bedroom. And frankly if Rick had had a bedroom like this I would not have a college degree.
Beer at $ 5 – 8 each, cocktails 10 – 12. This is somewhere you have to see to believe. And when you see it you have to stay for a few. I let Brian suggest 3 IPA’s, none of which I had ever tried and all of which were hoppy, flavorful and not the strong beer brewed badly that a lot of takes on the genre now are.
This is not a place you come to for one drink. If you do, let’s be honest, you are staying for at least 3. This is one of the best dive bars in philly, if not the country. You want to see this place. In fact, 18 year old college you will be very disappointed if you don’t.
One thing, this is cash only so hit the ATM before you arrive. You will not want to leave when you get here and let’s be honest, Brian deserves a tip. It also has a healthy dose of hipster, so come prepared to hold your nose or bring a can of Axe to spray them down.

I really liked the bar tender he is cool. The blue grass was awesome. I got seduced by a beautiful intelligent woman then rejected on the same night. That was fun and I put her in a cab home cause whether I was getting some or not I wanted her to be safe.
The crowd was interesting a little bit hipster snobby but could just be local vibe and I was obviously not a local. definitely give it a shot on a few other nights to see how it is…

Be forewarned: your enjoyment of Fiume is entirely dependent on obtaining a seat. If a show has already begun when you arrive, you will be miserable unless you like to stand awkwardly in everybody’s only circulation path. I am conflicted about writing a review, because the fewer people there, the more likely I can enjoy myself. Be grateful damnit.
Again, enjoyment is nearly guaranteed if you can find a way to rest your tush. There is a large beer selection and usually a sexy bartender. The music on Sunday evenings is live ragtime, and the band of 4 is usually stuck in the tiny corner turret overlooking the street below. The whole ambiance is so very West Philadelphia.
If you’re hungry, the Ethiopian food made in the kitchen below can be brought upstairs.
Get there early and you’ll love it.

One of the more well kept secrets in west philly — a bar located on the top floor of a restaurant. We were looking for a bar on a rainy Thursday night that wasn’t too far from home and ended up here when we saw it was bluegrass night — why not?
Things to know:
+there’s a cover ($ 2-​$ 5 recommended) for the band
+tons of beer options (have the sour beer concoction that the bartender recommends — so delicious)
+regular drink prices ($ 10-​$ 15 for cocktails) and slightly higher than average beer prices
+Bluegrass music, even for those who don’t know/​like it (ex. me), is super fun to listen to over a few drinks — still quiet enough to chat during the music but also reason enough to stay quiet and listen)

I love this place. The bartender Brian is amiable and makes great drinks. The cocktails are lovely and the beer list is comprehensive. The place is always packed, and I’ve met some fun people and had interesting conversations sitting at the bar.
I have been to a couple of bluegrass nights. I really enjoyed the music. For the band the space is standing room only and full. I have found a little corner to dance with my partner, but it’s mostly a look-​cool-​nod-​your-​head kind of show.
Best bar in West Philly.

Coolest secret bar in philly. Whiskey flare + Craft beers. Winning all around!
Bluegrass night is awesome and really packs the place.

This is an awesome secret bar located above Abyssina, an Ethiopian restaurant. No signs, just need to know to go in the side door of the restaurant and up the stairs. Staff is super knowledgeable and great at recommendations. Great destination for cocktails, whiskey (extensive collection) and rare beer.

When I first heard about this place, it sounded legitimately awesome. I wanted to be in love, I really did, but it was such a disappointment.
First of all, good luck sitting down. When we arrived, every chair and stool was occupied. I usually don’t mind having to stand for a bit but it’s so cramped inside that you continually get pushed out of the way as people squeeze by. Not too fun when you’re already tipsy!
The drink selection is seriously on point. They have all kinds of bottled local brews (the one I tried was wonderful), as well as a solid cocktail list. If you’re a whiskey fan, you’ll be even further impressed.
The thing that really left a sour impression was the bartender. He was very rude to my friends and I. His snippy attitude and comments only kept us around for one round before we decided it would be best to head out. I was very surprised at this, considering the countless rave reviews for the bartenders.
I might give this place another chance if I was in the neighborhood, but it’s unlikely. While the atmosphere is wonderful and the people are chocked full of good vibes, I’d rather not deal with more drama queens working the bar.