Northern Liberties Debuts New Espresso Martini Crawl Featuring 14 Restaurants and Bars
First let’s clear up some housekeeping, it’s espresso not expresso. Now that we got that out the way, espresso martini lovers can rejoice because Northern Liberties Business Improvement District just announced the debut of the inaugural Northern Liberties Espresso Martini Crawl.
Fourteen of the neighborhood’s top restaurants and bars will compete for the title and bragging rights for “Best Espresso Martini” on Saturday, March 16th – which happens to be the same weekend as National Espresso Martini Day.
Participants include long-time cocktail and drink staples, alongside newly opened hot spots. The growing list includes Añejo Philadelphia, Bar1010, Bourbon and Branch, Cantina Dos Segundos, El Camino Real, Figo Italian, Jerry’s Bar, North 3rd, North Bowl, SET NoLibs, SIN Steak Italian Nightlife, Silk City, Standard Tap and Urban Village Brewing Company. Each restaurant will offer at least one or more specially priced espresso martinis, for $8, $10 and/or $12, plus one exclusive espresso/coffee infused food dish, from 11:00am to 4:00pm.
The cost to attend is free, and the event is open to the public, 21 and older with identification to drink. Reservations and walk-in policies will vary by restaurant. Look for brunch, lunch and special menus at select restaurants.
“In the wake of the most successful Northern Liberties Restaurant Week to date, the Northern Liberties Business Improvement District is thrilled to continue the momentum by showcasing the neighborhood’s unparalleled local cocktail scene through its first Espresso Martini Crawl,” said NLBID Executive Director Cassidy Martin. “This event showcases several establishments that are staples in the region’s drink landscape — Urban Village Brewing Company, El Camino Real, Silk City, N. 3rd, Bourbon and Branch, Cantina dos Segundos, Jerry’s Bar, North Bowl and Standard Tap. We also are thrilled to spotlight the innovation and vibrancy from some of the neighborhood’s newest additions, such as Bar1010, with their grated parmesan cheese espresso martini, and Figo Ristorante with espresso martini brunches and flights. SIN has also recently emerged as an espresso martini destination. This Espresso Martini Crawl will have something for everyone– from classic concoctions to avant-garde interpretations and out of the box creations. We hope for the Espresso Martini Crawl to become a neighborhood tradition to highlight Northern Liberties’ classic establishments, evolving talent and magnetic appeal to locals and visitors alike.”
Northern Liberties is one of the fastest growing neighborhoods in Philadelphia right now – with thousands of new residents about to move in, around and near the District that is currently experiencing a construction boom. Within the District, the Northern Liberties Restaurant Row has emerged out of the pandemic – with more than a dozen new restaurants, cafes, bars and coffee shops – and more than a dozen about to open in coming months.
While the Northern Liberties food scene has garnered increased praise and attention, the neighborhood has also become the epicenter for the city’s fast growing fascination with Espresso Martinis. Nearly every single restaurant and bar is serving up everything from their own twists on the classic to getting out of the box with unique modern interpretations.
Philadelphia’s most viral Espresso Martinis come from Restaurant Row on N. 2nd Street with the parmesan cheese covered caffeinated creation at Bar1010 and the recently mega-viral new Espresso Martini Brunch at Figo Italian (as seen by millions of viewers this month on TikTok).
In honor of National Espresso Martini Day this month, and to celebrate the acclaimed Espresso Martinis of Northern Liberties Restaurant Row, the following participants will offer one or more specially priced Espresso Martinis and an espresso/coffee infused exclusive dish for Saturday, March 16th. Some offerings will be the tried and true favorites available on the menus each and every weekend, but many are also new and designed exclusively for this one-day event.
Añejo Philadelphia
1001 N. 2nd St.
Coffee Toffee Shot
Rich coffee and sweet caramel
$8
French Vanilla Cold Brewtini
Classic cold brew, tequila, and french vanilla
$10
Mezpresso Martini
Bold mezcal, rich coffee, agave, coffee bitters
$12
Coffee Tres Leches
Light and airy cake drowned in milk and coffee, coffee cream topping, powdered cocoa. This is the perfect sweet treat to enjoy with an espresso martini
$9
Bar1010
701 N 2nd St.
Bar1010 Parmigiano Espresso Martini
$12
Espresso Martini
$10
Carajillo
$8
Espresso Rubbed BBQ Pork Pizza
with Coffee Infused BBQ Sauce
Bourbon & Branch
705 N. 2nd St.
Classic Espresso Martini
Vodka, cold brew, espresso liqueur
$8
Shanky’s Chai
Shanky’s whip whiskey, cold brew, coffee liqueur, chai spice, sea salt
$10
Ferrero Rocher Martini
Reposado, frangelico, chocolate, cold brew, espresso liqueur
$12
Cantina Dos Segundos
931 N. 2nd St.
Abuelita’s Coffee
A blend of vodka, rum, coconut, kahlua, ancho reyes chili liqueur, agave & cold brew
$12
Dirty Carajillo
A blend of Licor 43, vodka, salted caramel, cinnamon, & cold brew
$10
Food addition TBD
El Camino Real
1040 N. 2nd St.
Classic Espresso Martini
Haku Vodka, Borghetti, Espresso, Simple Syrup
$10
Mexican Hot Chocolate Espresso Martini
Haku Vodka, Mexican Hot Chocolate, Espresso, Vanilla Simple Syrup
$12
Espresso Tres Leches
A classic mexican dessert infused with espresso and garnished with chocolate covered espresso beans and whipped cream
$8
Figo Italian
1033 N. 2nd St.
Figo Espresso Martini
Ketel One Vodka, Madagascar Vanilla, Coffee Liqueur, Bagels & Co Espresso
Topped with Peppermint Cold Foam
$12
Tiramisu
ladyfingers dipped in coffee, layered with sugar and mascarpone cheese, topped with cocoa powder
Jerry’s Bar
129 W. Laurel St.
All the Gas No Breaks
Non-Alcoholic Salted Caramel Espresso Martini
La Colombe Cold Brew, Oat Milk, Chocolate Bitters, Homemade Caramel, Saline
$8
Top o’ the Mornin’ Ya
St. Patrick’s Day Inspired Shot
Creme de Menthe, Creme de Cacao, Kahlua
$8
Hugh Hefner
Red Velvet inspired Espresso Martini
Breckenridge Whiskey, Creme de Cacao, Chocolate Bitters, La Colombe Cold Brew, Kahlua, Buffalo Trace Bourbon Cream, Raspberries
$12
I Miss My CardaMOM
Turkish Coffee Inspired Espresso Martini
Cardamom Infused White Rum, Selva Rey Chocolate Rum, Cardamom Bitters, La Colombe Cold Brew
$12
Jerry’s Classic Espresso Martini
Faber Cold Brew Vodka, Kahlua, La Colombe Cold Brew
$10
Espresso Creme Brulee
A twist on the classic
A decadent dessert that balances sweet and bitter perfectly.
$10
Kona Coffee Spiced Steak & Eggs
6oz NY Strip, Eggs Your Way, Choice of Side
Kona Coffee Spice Rub
$30
N. 3rd
801 N 3rd St.
N3rd Famous Espresso Martini
La Colombe Espresso, Espresso Coffee Liquor, Holla Vanilla, Simple Syrup
$10
Espresso French Toast
Espresso Dipped Brioche, Strawberries, Blackberries, Almonds, Creme Anglaise, Whipped Cream
$15
9) North Bowl
909 N 2nd St.
Coming soon!
SET NoLibs
1030 N. 2nd St.
SET Espresso Martinis
Vanilla Vodka, Khalua, Espresso
$10
Jameson, Kahlua, Bailey’s, Espresso
$8
Loco Cafe Tini
Hornitos Reposado, Khalua, Espresso
$12
SET French Toast with Espresso Infused Chocolate Syrup
SIN Steak Italian Nightlife
1102 Germantown Ave
$10 SIN Espresso Martini
Absolut Vanilla Vodka, Kahlua, Bailey’s, Frangelico, Disaronno, espresso, cocoa
Tiramisu Short Stack
Buttermilk Hotcakes, Espresso, Mascarpone, Chocolate.
SIN is typically not open during this time, but SIN will open special for this event starting at 11am with Tiramisu short stack, salads, appetizers and other lite offerings from the kitchen.
Silk City
435 Spring Garden St
Coming soon
Standard Tap
901 N. 2nd St.
Espresso Martini
Yuzu infused vodka, dark roast infused Campari, Averna, Kamora Coffee Liqueur, Espresso
$12
Espresso Rubbed Brisket Sliders
Slow cooked espresso rubbed brisket sliders
Urban Village Brewing Co.
1001 N 2nd St.
12-4pm
Classic Espresso Martini
Boardroom Vodka, La Colombe Espresso, Coffee Liquor, Demarea Syrup, Finished with Lemon Peel
$10
Mini Coffee Ice Cream Sandwiches
3 Double Fudge Chocolate Chip Cookies Sandwiches filled with Coffee Ice Cream
$10
Espresso Martini fans are invited to vote for their favorite food and drink creations from the day and help crown one winning Expresso Martini for the day. Local media, influencers and dignitaries will also help select judges choice.
In addition to food and drink specials at the participating restaurants, look for retailers and other businesses to also offer specials and caffeine-filled tie-ins, including:
Madison K Cookies
800 N. 2nd Street
Special Espresso Martini inspired cookies and cupcakes, as well as St. Patrick’s Day sweets and treats – stop by for a snack along the bar crawl route or pick-up some to go home!
The C-Room Nails and Spa
712 N 2nd St
