
Fishtown’s new twist on a classic neighborhood bar
A new year means new restaurants to add to your bucket list, and if you like elevated cocktails and bar food in an eclectic, trendy interior, this new spot in Fishtown may check your boxes.
Pearl’s on the Corner, located at 1444 Frankford, is steps away from other dining hot spots like Suraya, LMNO, and Fette Sau. Pearl’s owners, Tom Gleason, Shawn Gormley, and Doug Graham, wanted to create a casual corner bar atmosphere while still providing the pizzazz of a nightlife spot with great vibes, music, and decor.
The restaurant opened in September in the former location of the old Yachtsman Tiki Bar. However, the spot had a long history before then. The corner real estate was initially constructed as a red brick home in the mid-1800s, similar to other houses in the area. About 100 years later, it transformed into a bar called Dyer’s.
In 2014, owner Tommy Up brought a taste of the Polynesian lifestyle to Philly with the Yachtsman Tiki Bar, which was short-lived, as the spot opened in Summer 2014 and closed in May 2017. The building sat vacant for a few years before being demolished and recently reconstructed into Pearl’s.
Pearl’s has a very modern but sexy vibe inside with a hint of eclecticism. The bar is painted a vibrant fern green, complimented by dark wood features. The fun floral wallpaper features happy monkeys, which you wouldn’t notice until you look deeper. The spot is perfect for everything from a weekday date night to an Instagram-able weekend party spot.
As for the food, the menu is small. That’s not a dig, though, as Chef Mark Hennessey, who recently helped open Picnic in East Kensington, has perfected each item on the menu. I ordered Pearl’s Smash Burger, a greasy, sauce-filled patty on a soft roll, perfect to accompany any cocktail.
It was one of the best smash burgers I’ve had. We also sampled the ribs, which were fall-off-the-bone delicious, complete with a house-made sticky sauce. We split an order of French fries too, which were salty, crispy, and shoestring.
The only sweet treat on the menu was warm donuts (six hand-fried cinnamon sugar-covered balls) with warmed coconut caramel dipping sauce. Wow, these took me to another planet! The exterior had a slight crunch, while the inside was like a soft, warm biscuit. No complaints here!
Pearl’s rocked an impressive lineup of signature and classic cocktails and a solid beer and wine selection. The only thing missing? Some playful mocktail options—here’s hoping they shake those up in the future!
Their most popular cocktail, of course, was the Espresso Martini. The coffee is brewed and locally sourced from Moonraker Coffee. I always love it when restaurants source from local vendors, as it supports Philly business owners and brings a hometown flair to the dining spot.
I opted for the “No Strings Attached” cocktail, which included strawberry and raspberry-infused vodka, thyme, simple syrup, lemon juice, club soda, and a sprig of rosemary.
My partner tried “This Charming Man,” which was a take on an old-fashioned but was infused with Earl Gray tea, bringing some of the bitterness of the whiskey out. Both are popular menu items, and for good reason.
In 2025, Pearl’s plans to introduce a brunch menu and an outdoor seating area, which will double their seating space. I plan on returning soon to get another taste of that burger and try more of their extensive cocktail list. I hope to see you there!
Pearls on the Corner
1444 Frankford Ave
@pearlsfishtown on IG and FB
🗣 COMMENTS WELCOME! 🙌
What do you think? Have you been to Pearls? Or have any other corner bars or Fishtown favorites to share? Please catch up with me on Instagram @gingersliketoeat. If you enjoyed this feature, please check out last month’s column on Adoro Restaurant, a fantastic new BYOB in Queen Village.
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