First Date·Old City·$$ · Moderate·⭐ 7.9

Next of Kin

Archived listing — current status, hours, and prices need verification. This venue is not in the checked planner collection.

The kind of bar that makes you stay for three more drinks without realizing it.

Check location and hours →Find menu and reservations →

Confirm current hours, menu prices, and availability with the venue before heading out. Scores are DatingDex editorial estimates, not customer review averages.

What DatingDex says

Next of Kin hits that rare sweet spot between effort and ease — a Fishtown neighborhood bar that's well-crafted enough to signal taste but relaxed enough that nobody's performing. The cocktail list gives you something to talk about, the lighting does the work, and the vibe says 'I know this city' without saying 'I'm trying to impress you.'

Next of Kin is one of the top first date spots in Old City. At a moderate price point, it fits well when you want a first date feel without guesswork.

More first date spots in Old City

Old City cool without trying too hard.

Forsythia pulls off the tricky balance of feeling special without making anyone anxious — the French-ish small plates and natural wine list give you plenty to talk about without requiring a sommelier degree. The warm lighting and brick-and-wood bones do the heavy lifting, so you just have to show up.

Old City charm with a menu worth actually talking about.

Amina hits the sweet spot between effort and ease — the kind of spot that signals you have taste without making your date feel like they're auditioning for a Michelin tasting. The food gives you something to react to together, which is half the work on a first date.

Old City's best-kept dark bar — in the best way possible

Sassafras pulls off the rare trick of feeling like a neighborhood spot that also impresses out-of-towners, with candlelit booths, a tight cocktail menu, and enough ambient noise to keep things comfortable without killing the conversation. It's the kind of place where a first date can stretch into a third drink without anyone feeling trapped.

Spasso Italian Grill

Old City Italian that earns its reputation without trying too hard.

Spasso sits right on Front Street with enough candlelight and brick to feel intentional but not stiff — the kind of place where you order the pasta and actually talk. The bar scene keeps it from feeling too formal, so if things go well you can stay for drinks, and if they don't, dinner has a natural endpoint.

Red sauce, soft lighting, and zero pressure to perform.

La Nonna is the kind of Italian spot that does the heavy lifting for you — the pasta is legit, the room is warm without being stuffy, and nobody's rushing you out. South Street means easy pre or post-drink options, but honestly, you might not need them.

Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar

Havana fantasy with a Philly address — and the rum list to match

Cuba Libre leans hard into the vibe — think warm amber lighting, Latin music that makes the room feel alive without killing conversation, and a rum bar deep enough to turn drink selection into its own icebreaker. The mojitos are actually good, the ropa vieja holds up, and Old City foot traffic means there's always somewhere to wander after.