Imbibe 75 Place To Watch: Enswell

Story: Jillian Dara

Photo: Photos by Jason Varney

January 25, 2024

Imbibe 75 Enswell Philadelphia — The build-out of the all-day cafe and cocktail bar, in the Touraine's original ballroom, was the result of a collaboration between Jonathan Adams and Damien Pileggi, Stokes Architecture + Design, and Spruce Street Commons, which owns the historic building.

gin sour — Violet Shading: creme de violette, gin, lemon, egg white

Gimlet cocktail — Good Hope Gimlet: vodka, rooibos grapefruit cordial, and pink pepper.

“There’s a looseness and flow to European café culture that we wanted to have,” explains Jonathan Adams, co-founder of Philadelphia’s Enswell. Adams and his business partner Damien Pileggi (also co-founders of Rival Bros. Coffee) opened all-day café and cocktail bar Enswell in the historic The Touraine last August as a way to further highlight the coffee they already work with daily and reestablish integrity in the coffee-infused cocktail category.

Frequently, bars list one coffee drink, explains Adams, alluding to the omnipresent Espresso Martini, but beyond this classic offering, “coffee is surprisingly versatile.” Enswell offers original espresso and cold brew–based drinks (as well as tea cocktails) designed by bar consultant Vince Stipo.

The Haymaker’s build resembles a latte with espresso, rye whiskey, house orgeat, and coffee-flavored cream. Yhe Old Fashioned No. Two on draft uses brown butter–washed scotch, Enswell’s house bitters blend, and demerara sugar. “We’re going to take it as far as we can,” says Adams in reference to creating a coffee-infused or -inspired version of all the classics.

Click here to read more about some of 2024’s other Imbibe 75 People and Places to Watch.

Jillian Dara

Jillian Dara is a freelance writer and editor reporting on wine, spirits, travel, and culture. She enjoys reporting on the intersection of them all for publications including Decanter, Wine Enthusiast, VinePair and Robb Report. Her favorite cocktail is an expertly crafted martini - dry and dirty.