Known Associates Philadelphia is now open at 941 Spruce Street, and it’s the kind of opening worth paying attention to on pedigree alone. Chef Christopher Kearse and design firm PS & Daughters have reunited for a new neighborhood cocktail bar, seven years after their first collaboration on Forsythia — which earned Michelin Guide recognition earlier this year.

A Reunion Between Chef Kearse and PS & Daughters

On the vision behind Known Associates Philadelphia, “I’ve always loved the idea of an experience that’s fun, interactive, and a little whimsical,” said Kearse. “It was part of my original vision for Forsythia, and I’ve kept that idea tucked away for years. I’m excited to finally bring that vision to life at Known Associates.” The concept is built around a simple, deliberate philosophy: a place guests return to often, yet never experience quite the same way twice. The 1,500-square-foot space seats 40 and leans fully into a maximalist, well-worn opulence — richly layered, designed to feel shaped by time rather than newly built, with details meant to reward repeat visits rather than land all at once.

At Known Associates Philadelphia, food plays a genuinely equal role, drawing on European café and bar culture rather than acting as an afterthought to the drinks. The Cool Ranch Crunch Peas are a nostalgic flavor given a real elevated treatment, while the Burger Au Poivre reimagines Forsythia’s own beloved cheeseburger with caramelized onions, comté cheese, and peppercorn sauce — a nice through-line for anyone who already knows Kearse’s other restaurant. Dessert closes things out with Toasted Rice Milk Ice Cream and a proper Chocolate Mousse.

The Cocktail Program: Zero-Waste Craft and a Few Bond References

For Known Associates Philadelphia, Beverage Director Chris Harrop built a program of inventive twists on classics alongside genuine originals. The Goldeneye Estate reworks a Vesper with gin, vodka, plum wine, mango-infused Lillet, and lemon oil — its name a nod to the James Bond franchise and Ian Fleming’s own Jamaican estate of the same name, one of a few playful winks scattered through the menu without tipping into a full theme.

The Bittered in Bond takes on the boulevardier with house-made mezcal amaro, Bonal Gentiane, Cappelletti Aperitivo, Licor 43, and a touch of salt, landing somewhere between smoke, bitterness, and a subtle sweetness underneath. Between Harvests lightens things up with a Martinez variation built on Hayman’s Old Tom Gin, Luxardo Maraschino, Nardini Rabarbaro, and muddled cucumber.

The most genuinely interesting drink on the list might be the TNT, a zero-waste cocktail built on tomato water and garnished with a dehydrated tomato chip made from the very tomatoes used to produce the water itself — real craft, not a garnish gimmick, and a good example of how deliberately this whole program was thought through.

Known Associates Philadelphia is open daily, 3 pm to midnight, with more information available at knownphilly.com. Known Associates isn’t trying to be the loudest room in Washington Square West — it’s betting that guests who come back once will keep coming back, just to see what’s different this time.

About Post Author

Allan Lane

Philadelphia born and bred, Allan Lane is the Publisher and Editor in Chief of digital magazines. He launched his first publication, SportBikes Inc Magazine in 2010, followed by dosage MAGAZINE in 2019. Recently, Allan launched his third online publication, Club For Man. As a journalist, Allan covers fashion, lifestyle, culture, art, and motorcycles.

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