BYOB Dining: A Philadelphia Phenomenon

BYOB: A Definition:

• “BYOB” is short for “bring your own bottle.” The term applies to a restaurant or cafe that allows patrons to bring wine, beer or spirits to enjoy while dining there.

BYOB History:

• In 1933, following the repeal of Prohibition, Pennsylvania Governor Gifford Pinchot enacted a strict licensing system for establishments that sold alcohol, and a body to oversee them, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB). Pennsylvania remains an alcoholic beverage-control state, which means the state controls all distribution and sales of alcohol everywhere.
• The PLCB allows one liquor license per 3,000-county inhabitants and one distributor license per 30,000 inhabitants in a county (with a minimum of five per county), although some counties that exceed this can grandfather in existing licensees.
• The above restrictions created high demand — and high prices — for liquor licenses in Philadelphia and surrounding counties. One solution for small, independent restaurant owners, often chefs, has been to proceed without a license by going BYOB.

BYOB How-To:

• Shop first. Options include ubiquitous, PLCB-owned Fine Wine & Good Spirits “state” stores; licensed-to-sell restaurants, bars, beer distributors, grocery and convenience stores; along with Pennsylvania wineries, breweries, distilleries and their satellite operations.
• Very few BYOBs stand for fussy manners: Jeans are almost universally welcome, as are both box wine or crystal stemware. (No need to BYO corkscrew.)
• Some BYOBs have quirky reservation Some offer reservations; some offer them on certain days only; some are always first-come, first-served. Calling ahead is recommended.
• Many are cash-only.
• NB: Some BYOBs help out bottle-less patrons by grabbing a half-enjoyed cabernet from the back; others serve shots of homemade cordials or digestifs after dinner. There’s no charge for them.

Philadelphia BYOBs, By Neighborhood:

Center City & Fairmount:

• A Mano – This cash-only Italian BYOB in Fairmount from chef Tod Wentz of Townsend is known for braised pork shank, parsley cavatelli, seasonal antipasti and handmade pasta. 2244 Fairmount Avenue, (215) 236-1114, amanophl.com
• Audrey Claire – Restaurateur Audrey Claire Taichman created the model for the modern BYOB in Rittenhouse in 1996. Now owned by the team behind nearby Rouge, this simple, pristine corner space still draws a crowd with grilled Caesar salads, seasonal flatbreads and mezze. 276 S. 20th Street, (215) 731-1222, audreyclaire.com
• Banana Leaf – Malaysian cuisine features a mix of Southeast Asian, Chinese and Indian Deep-flavored specialties here include roti canai (flatbread), chicken and egg noodles in coconut curry, mango salad and stir-fried Chow Kueh Teow noodles. 1009 Arch Street, (215) 592-8288, bananaleafphilly.com
• Chlöe – Chef-couple Mary Ann Ferrie and Dan Grimes have happily helmed this candlelit, Old City charmer, with its pressed flower tabletops and an ever-changing menu that spans baby back ribs to goat-cheese salads, since 2000. No reservations. 232 Arch Street, (215) 629-2337, chloebyob.com
• Fiorino – The East Falls neighborhood’s go-to serves veal marsala, spaghetti and clams, Gorgonzola gnocchi and specialties from the Emilia-Romagna region. 3572 Indian Queen Lane, (215) 843-1500, fiorino.us
• Kanella Grill – Chef Konstantinos Pitsillides, a five-time James Beard Foundation Award semi-finalist for Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic, runs this sun-kissed Greek/Cypriot corner spot in Washington Square West, where the menu is known for kebabs, salads and a variety of unique Mediterranean dishes. 1001 Spruce Street, (267) 928-2058, kanellarestaurant.com
• Lee How Fook – Doris and Shing Chung founded this classic Cantonese Chinatown spot. Today, their daughter and son-in-law Sieu and Andrew run the family business. 219 N. 11th Street, (215) 925-7266, newleehowfook.com
• Melograno – A hidden gem on Sansom Street serves note-perfect Roman fare, including classic plates of pappardelle and bucatini and lamb ossobuco. 2012 Sansom Street, (215) 875-8116, melogranophilly.com
• Mercato – This festive Washington Square West destination is known for its stuffed artichokes and short rib ragu. 1216 Spruce Street, (215) 985-2962, mercatobyob.com
• Res Ispa Cafe – Rittenhouse’s bright, Sicilian-inspired BYOB serves from morning to night, with coffee-focused breakfasts, eggplant sandwich lunches and hand-wrought pastas, whole fish and roasted chicken for dinner. 2218 Walnut Street, (267) 519-0329, resipsaphilly.com
• Terakawa Ramen – This Chinatown ramen spot is known for its bowls of wavy noodles and pork bone broth, bursting with umami-rich flavor. 204 N. 9th Street, (267) 687-1355, terakawaramen.com
• Umai Umai – Chef/owner Alex McCoy works wonders with sushi and seafood in Fairmount. His specialty rolls are worth the visit. 533 N. 22nd Street, (215) 988-0707, umai-umai.com

Northern Liberties & The River Wards:

• Cadence – A trio of perfectionist chefs runs this New American destination along Girard Avenue; reservations are recommended. 161 W. Girard Avenue, (215) 419-7537, cadencerestaurant.com
• Las Cazuelas – At an adorable Northern Liberties Mexican joint, patrons can BYO tequila for combining with house-made margarita mixers. 426 W. Girard Avenue, (215) 351-9144, lascazuelas.net
• Helm – Two chefs, Kevin D’Egidio and Michael Griffiths, own this sophisticated yet laidback Kensington BYOB, serving creative New American fare made with local ingredients. 1303 N. 5th Street, (215) 309-2211, helmphilly.com
• Jaxon – Inspired, designed and decorated by the Schiro family, this quaint Northern Liberties dinner and brunch spot shows off local ingredients on an ever-changing chalkboard menu. 701 N. 3rd Street, (215) 922-2621, jaxonbyob.com
• Sarvida – Chef-owner Lou Boquila explores Filipino flavors at his Fishtown restaurant, where he serves traditional dishes like pancit (fried noodles), lumpia (like egg rolls) or crunchy pork-skin chicharrón with subtle modern touches. 300 E. Girard Avenue, (267) 273-1234, sarvidaphilly.com
• Tacconelli’s Pizzeria – Devoted customers call ahead to reserve their pizza dough at this casual and long-loved Port Richmond parlor, the perfect place to BYO a six-pack or bottle of red. 2604 E. Somerset Street, (215) 425-4983, tacconellispizzeria.com

South Philadelphia:

• Bibou – Husband-and-wife owners Pierre and Charlotte Calmels (he’s a six-time James Beard Foundation Award semi-finalist for Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic) run this charming French bistro near the Italian Market, where haute seven-course tasting menus cost $125 per person. Hopeful diners can learn of last-minute availability via their Twitter account, @biboubyob.1009 S. 8th Street, (215) 965-8290, biboubyob.com
• Burrata – Known for homemade potato gnocchi with mushrooms, pecorino and walnuts, and their namesake, that impossibly creamy form of mozzarella, served with rotating accompaniments. 1247 S. 13th Street, (215) 465-2200, burrataphilly.com
• Entrée – An a la carte seasonal American menu, plus $40 and $50 three-course prix-fixe options pair well with house-made cocktail mixes at this Graduate Hospital spot. 1608 South Street, (215) 790-0330, entreebyob.com
• Isot Mediterranean Cuisine – Beef and lamb manti topped with tart yogurt, coal-grilled kofte and more Turkish specialties are the hallmarks of this cozy Bella Vista BYOB. 622 S. 6th Street, (267) 457-3622, restaurantisot.com
• Jamaican Jerk Hut – This longstanding Caribbean draw serves ginger beer to mix with lime and BYO rum for Bermuda-inspired dark ’n‘ stormies, plus amazing curry roti, oxtail stew and more. 1436 South Street, (215) 545-8644, orderjamaicanjerkhut.com
• June BYOB – Richard and Christina Cusack’s French newcomer to Passyunk Square wows eaters with classic French dishes. 1911 E. Passyunk Avenue, (215) 515-3242, junebyob.com
• Kalaya Thai Kitchen – Unapologetically bold Thai cooking is the hallmark of this Bella Vista jewel box, a good place to tote a crisp pilsner or refreshing white wine. 764 S. 9th Street, (215) 385-3777, kalaya.net
• L’Angolo – This Tuscan-inspired find in deep South Philly belongs to adorable husband-and-wife duo Kathy and Davide Faenza. After dinner, it’s time for complimentary shots of limoncello. 1415 W. Porter Street, (215) 389-4252, langolo-restaurant.com
• Little Fish – Chef Alex Yoon works wonders with fresh fish and oysters from the small open kitchen of this longtime Queen Village gem. 746 S. 6th Street, (267) 455-0172, littlefishbyob.com
• Martino’s –Vintage, cash-only East Passyunk Avenue trattoria opens three nights a week for charming meals (white bean soup, baked ricotta) in an old storefront with intact tin ceilings and wood paneling. Customers leave a voicemail message to get a spot. 1646 E. Passyunk Avenue, (215) 755-0663
• Noord – Toasted house-made bread with whipped butter, smorrebrød (open-face smoked fish sandwiches) and bitterballen (fried pork croquettes) make the Dutch-Scandinavian experience at this East Passyunk destination. 1046 Tasker Street, (267) 909-9704, noordphilly.com
• On Point – Juan Lopez and Mallory Fix Lopez run Point Breeze’s corner comfort food spot, where fried chicken and waffles and buttermilk pancakes start the day, and steak frites and hearty pastas end it. 1200 Point Breeze Avenue, (267) 639-3318, onpointbistro.com
• Perla – Pioneering chef Lou Boquila creates elegant modern Filipino fare in the city’s first such venture — and serves traditional, eat-with-your-hands Kamayan dinners on Wednesdays and Sundays (by reservation only). 1535 S. 11th Street, (267) 273-0008, perlaphilly.com
• Pumpkin – South Street’s wee, pioneering 26-seat BYOB is the province of chef Ian Moroney and Hillary Bor, where the dinners are fresh, local and seasonal. There’s a five-course, prix-fixe every Sunday. 1713 South Street, (215) 545-4448, pumpkinphilly.com
• River Twice ­– Well-traveled chef Randy Rucker and partner and wife Amanda have put down roots in South Philly with a progressive, globally influenced BYOB. 1601 E. Passyunk Avenue, (267) 457-3698, rivertwicerestaurant.com
• Saté Kampar – Chef-owner Ange Branca presides over this Malaysian spot, a 2017 semifinalist for a Best New Restaurant award from the James Beard Foundation, known for spectacular meats (and tofu) grilled over coconut charcoal, along with soulful beef rendang and goodies bundled in banana leaf packets. 1837 E. Passyunk Avenue, (267) 324-3860, satekamparpassyunkcom

Countryside BYOBs:

• Birchrunville Store Café – Deep in woodsy Chester County, chef-owner Francis Trzeciak has created an Italo-French fine dining spot out of an old general store. 1403 Hollow Road, Birchrunville, (610) 827-9002, birchrunvillestorecafe.com
• Blackfish – Chef Chip Roman has made a name for himself — and six-time recipient of semi-finalist award nods (three for Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic, three for Rising Star Chef of the Year) from the James Beard Foundation — for fresh yet classic French-adjacent seafood. This in-demand Conshohocken BYOB is his domain. 119 Fayette Street, Conshohocken, (610) 397-0888, blackfishrestaurant.com
• Blue Sage Vegetarian Grille – Vegan diners head to this California-inspired destination for its amazing transformations of vegetables, noodles, mushrooms and more. 727 2nd Street Pike, Southampton, (215) 942-8888, bluesagevegetariangrille.com
• Fraschetta – Gianluca Demontis and Rosemarie Tran, owners of Melogano (see above), work their Roman magic on the Main Line. 816 W. Lancaster Avenue, Bryn Mawr, (610) 525-1007, fraschettaphilly.com
• Talula’s Table – On Kennett Square’s charming main street, Talula’s sole farm-to-table table books by phone exactly one year in advance, to the date; owner Aimee Olexy now also has Talula’s Garden on Washington Square and The Love near Rittenhouse Square. 102 W. State Street, Kennett Square, (610) 444-8255, talulastable.com
• Terrain’s Glen Mills Garden Café – Gardeners (and anyone who appreciates the outdoors) bring their own champagne for mimosas at the greenhouse-dwelling restaurant inside a stunning, Urban Outfitters-run garden center. 914 Baltimore Pike, Glen Mills, (610) 459-6030, shopterrain.com

VISIT PHILADELPHIA^® is our name and our mission. As the region’s official tourism marketing agency, we build Greater Philadelphia’s image, drive visitation and boost the economy.

On Greater Philadelphia’s official visitor website and blog, visitphilly.com and uwishunu.com, visitors can explore things to do, upcoming events, themed itineraries and hotel packages. Compelling photography and videos, interactive maps and detailed visitor information make the sites effective trip-planning tools. Along with Visit Philly social media channels, the online platforms communicate directly with consumers. Travelers can also call and stop into the Independence Visitor Center for additional information and tickets.