a.bar nails the great cocktail bar trifecta: it’s dark, it’s not a dive nor is it fancy, and the bar takes up the entire space. You’ll always find the Rittenhouse spot packed with people drowning out their weekly deadlines in mezcal and Japanese whiskey blended drinks. There are 15 signature options on the menu, but they do the classics just as well. Stop in before date night at a.kitchen or anywhere else nearby. Or meet up with a small group, pass around some bamboo cocktails, and toast to the weekend—or hitting that deadline on time.