Next of Kin

Next of Kin, Philadelphia — Quick Verdict

If you have been to Next of Kin once, the question on a return visit is whether the cocktail program holds up beyond first impressions. At 1414 Frankford Ave in Fishtown, it does — this is a bar that earns repeat visits on the strength of its drinks rather than novelty. For groups of four or more looking for a low-friction, walk-in-friendly spot on Frankford Avenue, it sits comfortably in the mix. Booking here is easy, which makes it a practical anchor for a Fishtown bar crawl rather than a destination you plan a night around.

The Bar

Next of Kin occupies a Fishtown address that puts it within reach of the neighborhood's core foot traffic. The visual tone on arrival is the first thing to read: expect the kind of room that signals a focused drinks operation, dark enough to feel intentional, without the self-conscious theatrics of a concept bar. The cocktail and bar snacks format keeps the proposition clear. You are here to drink well, not to build a full meal around the menu. That is a reasonable trade-off if your group is in bar-hop mode, less so if someone at the table is expecting dinner.

For groups, the format works. A cocktails-and-snacks bar with easy booking is a lower-risk addition to an evening itinerary than a reservation-required restaurant. Coordination is simpler, spending per head is more predictable, and no one is locked into a time slot. If your group has a mix of preferences, the bar snacks give people something to eat without the bar needing to function as a full kitchen. That said, groups expecting a long, seated dinner experience should route elsewhere.

The Fishtown location on Frankford Ave places Next of Kin near other bars worth building into the same evening. 48 Record Bar is nearby for a different atmosphere, and 12 Steps Down is worth knowing as a no-frills contrast if the group wants to range wider across the city. For a fuller picture of what is open in the area, the Pearl Philadelphia bars guide covers the current options by neighborhood.

Who Should Book

Next of Kin works well for small-to-mid-size groups (two to six people) who want a good cocktail without a formal reservation commitment. Food and travel enthusiasts looking for depth in the glass rather than a full culinary program will find the format honest and direct. It is not the right call if your group wants a long, multi-course evening or a bar with an extensive natural wine list. For those needs, look at 1501 Passyunk Ave or factor in the Philadelphia restaurants guide for a more complete evening structure.

Internationally, bars running a tight cocktails-plus-snacks format at this level of accessibility compare reasonably to Bar Leather Apron in Honolulu or the more refined end of the neighborhood bar category you find at Jewel of the South in New Orleans, though those two operate at a higher price point and with stronger awards pedigree. Next of Kin is the more casual, lower-stakes version of that category, which is not a criticism. It just sets the right expectations before you walk in.

How It Compares

See below for how Next of Kin sits against its Philadelphia peers.