The Twisted Tail

The Twisted Tail is a charcoal-grill restaurant, bourbon bar and live blues venue on South 2nd Street in Philadelphia. Its format brings food, drinks and music together in a social setting designed around shared meals and time at the bar.

The kitchen’s identity is centered on charcoal-grilled cooking, giving the food a clear fire-based character. The venue’s dining style suits meals shared among friends, while the bar provides a separate reason to linger over bourbon. Food and drink are central to the experience, but the music program gives the space its defining personality.

Live blues is a regular part of The Twisted Tail’s character, making the venue suitable for diners who want a meal connected to a music setting rather than a purely restaurant-focused evening. Music-related programming and tasting events also form part of the calendar, with bourbon and whiskey receiving particular attention. The venue supports music bookings and private parties as well.

The atmosphere is social and flexible. A visit can center on a meal, a drink at the bar, a live performance or a combination of all three. That range makes The Twisted Tail a fit for casual gatherings, shared dining and evenings built around music. The setting also works for guests interested in bourbon culture, including those who enjoy tasting-focused events and learning more about whiskey.

Located at 509 S. 2nd St. between South and Lombard streets, the venue occupies a street-level setting in the city’s historic central neighborhoods. Its food-and-music format gives it a different rhythm from a conventional dining room, while the charcoal grill keeps the restaurant side of the experience clearly in focus.

The Twisted Tail’s identity rests on the balance between grill cooking, bourbon, social dining and blues. It can accommodate a straightforward dinner, a bar stop or an evening planned around live music, with the exact focus depending on the event and the occasion.