From the moment you step inside Philadelphia Distilling, home of the iconic Bluecoat Gin, the atmosphere pulls you in. The bottle wall, lined with striking designs, catches the eye immediately, but it’s the people, both behind the bar and in the distillery, who bring the place to life. Philadelphia Distilling is a part production facility and part cocktail destination. The indoor-outdoor space reflects the team’s spirit — polished, precise, and confident in their craft inside and out.

Chief Production Officer, Josh Anderson, quickly noticed how seriously the team takes its craft cocktails. Whether it’s a classic or a reimagined original, every pour, garnish, and shake is done with intention. Their fresh fruit and citrus program speaks to a deep passion for flavor, while a creative, occasional “From Our Family Cocktails” menu cross-brands with Widow Jane, FEW Spirits, and others in the Heaven Hill family. The drinks are vibrant, balanced, and memorable, and the front-of-house team is just as engaging as the cocktails they serve.

Behind it all are site leader Aaron Selya and his amazing team. The front-of-house team has applied lean manufacturing principles (which are typically used to streamline production) to drive improvement. The result? A setup so efficient and well-organized that even during peak hours, the team moves with ease, never sacrificing the art of craft cocktail making for speed. From mirrored workstations to a meticulous ice program where each cube is weighed for consistency, every detail is designed to preserve quality at scale.

Aaron’s leadership reflects his own passions. A dedicated foodie who stays in tune with the restaurant scene, he brings fresh ideas to the table and applies them thoughtfully. His approach matches the mindset of the entire team: authentic, intentional, and unwilling to cut corners.

Philadelphia Distilling is in the up-and-coming Fishtown neighborhood – just steps away from the Filmore music venue. “Go there for a cocktail experience, and you’ll leave with an appreciation for their craft,” Josh shared. “It’s passion and precision, wrapped into a warm and welcoming environment.”