Bar 210

There is no longer a happy hour here. In fact, if you ask about the happy hour, they will look at you very strangely. Its like the staff won’t admit it ever existed. It’s not a big deal. I just thought you should know.
Food-​wise, the oxtail ragu is pretty good but very salty. The oysters, although tasty, are expensive compared to other places you can go in a 2 block radius.

I vote 4.5 stars!!!
I’m a hard critic when it comes to bar food — they always taste the same to me… like microwaved frozen food. or greasy greasy drunk food. Even more critical when I know there’s usually happy hour and I had to eat during non-​happy hour! Argh! But I loved Bar 210 — awesome reasonably priced food in a great atmosphere — Like!
Small Bar area in Lacroix restaurant — about 5 2-​seater tables + some bar space. Dim lighting, pretty trendy romantic, with the fancy $ 125 pre-​fix Lacroix diners sitting in tables next to you.
I’ll start with the negative. Service was slow… incredibly incredibly slow. I think because they have the big spenders waiting for their 7 courses, you get placed on kinda the back burner. Breakfast/​Brunch at the bar is also slow service (if you’re not doing buffet).
Onto the food: Because of all the reviews I had read about the delicious buffalo wings, we asked if they still could make them even though they weren’t on the menu. Came with 12 wings — about $ 13 – 15. they were awesome! Very juicy and meaty. not too spicy or sour like BWW… but lots of flavor. I was a fan!
Second dish we ordered the Halibut and Chips. Fries were kinda pretty unmemorable, but the halibut. OMG. ohmygoodness. SO TASTY!!! Like I’ve said — I eat with a fish and chips snob and he love love loved them. Sad thing, it only came with three and so we had to fight for the last piece (I won!)
Drinks were good — hand crafted. I told the bartender what I liked/​wanted and voila! he created a strong drink for me!
All-​in-​all great experience!

Ok, if you’re looking for a more subdued Happy Hour (5 – 7, M-​F) this is the best kept little secret in town. Accept that it’s the bar at Lacroix and the clientele are mostly over 50, or on business accounts, all dropping at least a few Benjamin’s just across from the Bar, and let yourself indulge in some fine hand crafted cocktails, and a daily surprise complementary hors d’ouvre. The Philadelphia French Martini – Bluecoat with Lillet Blanched and Orange – or the Blackberry Bourbon are both staples, and the Port Negroni is a perfect new addition now that Spring has sprung. Great place solo or for a date, tranquil, lovely views of the park, and lest I forget, the drinks max out at $ 7 during HH, and the bar menu has hands down the best $ 5 snack in CC… the Steamed Bun. Actually 2 minis, pork belly with tangerine and arugula. Perfection on a bun. And come back in the Fall for the Roasted Duck Sandwich… sublime. And the burger is as good as any in town. Only issue I have… Chef, bring back the wings! Seriously some of the best ever.

I was VERY surprised by the awesome happy hour deals they have here. Because I was under the impression that you needed to be ready to drop a ton of money to come here, I only chose Bar 210 for Happy Hour because I had a $ 100 gift certificate (is that sad?). I invited two of my friends and told them to order whatever they wanted. Surprisingly, it was kind of difficult to make it to that $ 100 goal because the prices were so reasonable.
Happy Hour is from 5:30 — 7:30 PM. They offer one white wine and one red win for $ 5 a glass, half price mixed drinks, and one beer option for $ 3. They also give you a free appetizer, on this particular night it was a tasty piece of shrimp tempura with a sweet and sour dipping sauce.
THEN, off the bar menu, we got the $ 5 crab pretzel and $ 5 pork belly/​risotto/​fried ball of deliciousness, the $ 28 6-​cheese tasting plate, and 2 oysters each ($ 5 for 2). Pretty sweet that they have $ 5 apps, and the cheese plate, though NOT cheap, was amazing, and the bartender had asked if I had any cheese preferences, which appeared on the plate when it arrived.
Yes, the atmosphere is pretty swanky, but it’s nice to know I can afford to enjoy that swank :)

Looking for a classy, intimate, quiet place to enjoy quality cocktails & small bites at a discounted rate? Bar 210 is the perfect place to meet up during happy hour for small groups (3 or less) & dates.
Elevated a few steps higher than Lacroix, Bar 210 allows for views of the dining room & Rittenhouse Square beyond. A handful of two-​tops with comfy chairs sit opposite the slender U-​shaped bar. The Bar 210 staff pulled up an extra chair for our group of three at one of the end tables on a Friday evening. To secure a table, it’s best to hit this 5 – 7 HH before 6.
We took advantage of $ 5 select white & red glasses of wine as well as the ½ price listed cocktails. If you’re up for it go for the quality handcrafted cocktails. There was also an inexpensive bar menu plus everyone received a complimentary bite (extra points for being vegetarian friendly). Bar 210’s HH is a great way to experience Lacroix’s quality service for a fraction of the price.