Entry No. 10 — the Philadelphia file — filed under: speakeasy
The Franklin Mortgage & Investment Co.
An unmarked door off Rittenhouse Square opens into a narrow, low-lit Art Deco room where bartenders in period dress work an inventive menu — the bar named after The Franklin Mortgage & Investment Co., a real Prohibition-era front for one of the largest bootlegging rings in U.S. history.
The story
In 1920s Philadelphia, the original Franklin Mortgage & Investment Co. wasn't in the business of issuing home loans. It was a shell company designed to mask one of the largest illegal bootlegging operations in American history. This low-lit cocktail lounge tucked off Rittenhouse Square resurrects that covert spirit under the exact same name.
You won't find a glowing sign out front. Instead, the entrance is a plain black door on a quiet residential street. Pass through it and you drop into a narrow, dim Art Deco room lined with vintage bootlegging-era photographs, where bartenders in period attire stir up multi-layered, inventive drinks far removed from standard vodka tonics.
What it's like
Finding the door requires a bit of slow walking along 1715 Rittenhouse Square—look for the unmarked dark entryway and slip right in. Inside, the space is cozy, dark, and tight, making it feel like a private hideout. Table space is limited, so aim for a weeknight or reserve ahead online if you want to sit down and take in the period decor without waiting on the curb.
The move: Skip the sign entirely — walk the block looking for the plain black door, slip in, and order two seasonal builds while studying the vintage bootlegging-era photographs on the wall.
- 📍 Rittenhouse Square
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 1715 Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Hours: Added 2026-07-19 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- The Ranstead Room — Continue your hidden drink crawl by stepping down a narrow service alley behind El Rey into another unmarked, dark velvet lounge.
- Behind the Red Door at Vita — Swap Franklin's 1920s bootlegger aesthetic for a speakeasy hidden behind a bright red gelateria freezer door just a block away.
- Elbow Lane at Harp & Crown — Head two blocks north to move from low-lit cocktail cornering to a hidden two-lane vintage bowling alley beneath Harp & Crown.
Good to know
How do I find the bar from the street?
Walk along 1715 Rittenhouse Square and look for an unmarked, plain black door with no overt sign.
Where does the name come from?
It comes from the real Prohibition-era front company that disguised a massive Philadelphia bootlegging ring in the 1920s.
Can I make a reservation?
Yes, table reservations can be booked directly through their official website, though walk-ins are also accommodated when space allows.
What is the drink menu like?
The menu focuses on complex, multi-component seasonal builds and inventive cocktail creations prepared by bartenders in period dress.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · phillyprgirl.com · phillyburbs.com
last checked: 2026-07-19