The Citywide, a staple in a city known for its quick, simple and straightforward nature, has been able to stay the course and remain relatively inexpensive amongst many bars in Philadelphia. In a time where inflation, shrinkflation, and price increases have made us more conscious of spending on the things we enjoy, the average person is looking for any opportunity to save, especially when going out on the town to consume alcohol.
One of the few things seemingly staying steady on the upward scale of expense is the citywide special. Some longtime Philadelphia drinking establishments, are doing what they can to keep the quick fix special from rising in price.
“It’s very important to us that we keep the citywide price the same as it’s always been, $4 dollars. It’s one of the things we’re known for. It keeps our regulars coming back and bringing their friends,” Said Rose Capozzoli, owner of Rays Happy Birthday Bar.
Rose continued by describing that in the efforts of trying to keep the special the budget friendly price that it is, Rays currently uses Lucky Streak Beer and Windsor Canadian Whiskey in their special. One of the main factors in keeping the price of the citywide the same at Rays, has been by switching to a different beer to ever as often as needed and purchasing it in large volumes. While it can be a frustrating process, mainly due to increasing prices by their distributors, especially during these times of inflation, it’s ultimately worth it in the end to find the next best option for Rays patrons to keep coming back .
“There’s a lot of history here to unpack about the citywide .. When I used to work at Bob and Barbara’s a lot of times, the bike messengers used to hang out there, that was their drink of choice, the rockabilly kids kind of started it, but I do really think messengers are who put it on the map. When I used to work at the bar there were about 20-30 bike messengers trying to get a citywide, it was a cheap drink..” Said Bob, former employee at Bob and Barbara’s Lounge.
The traditional citywide, consists of a typical 12 (oz) beer and a shot of well whiskey. According to some longtime Philadelphian residents, “the ideal citywide should cost between $4 and $6 dollars.” But, for a number of the bars in the city trying to maintain a low price point isn’t of the utmost importance.
In a world of profit maximization culture the customer can be forgotten. With today’s climate, the current everchanging bar and restaurant scene, there’s been so many changes within the beverage and spirits realm. Establishments have been moving toward the more trendy, attractive and “fun” beverages. Within this new wave, featuring new cocktails, new specials and their own new versions of a citywide. A number of which feature higher quality beer and liquor, and tend to be on average, much more expensive. The reality is that there’s a growing market for the high quality cocktails and colorful drink frenzy, and people are enjoying it, but at a cost.
The modern narrative about how “young people aren’t drinking anymore” isn’t the full story. According to NBC News “On average, spending on alcohol to drink at home dropped by an average of 5% in 2025, according to Bank of America data…” but “On the other side of the fight for cocktail-loving customers are bars. They saw a 4% increase in consumer spending in 2025, according to the bank.”
In the Philly famous Pabst Blue Ribbon (PBR) themed bar, Bob and Barbara’s Lounge, which is said to be the originator of the citywide. Its special consists of a 12 oz can of PBR and a well shot of Jim Beam. For as long as the bar has been opened it has not switched up the beer or liquor combination for its citywide special. and hope to keep their current price of the citywide special at 5 dollars. In 1995 its price was 3 dollars, then 3.50.
According to General Manager Oskar Duva, who started working at Bob and Barbara’s in 2018, it rose to $4 dollars in 2020 and then rose to $5 dollars in 2023. Their famous special itself, with the combination of live music at the bar is what has attracted its crowd for so long.
“We get a lot of regulars and tourists, everyone’s got their own version, so you could get to a lot of places and get a shot and a beer but I think our price really and everything we got going on here is a big reason why it’s a popular place,” Said Oskar Duvas, General Manager of Bob and Barbara’s.
The last time the price of the special had increased at Bob and Barbara’s in 2023, was mainly due to rising expenses, core items like the costs of pbr and jim beam went up, also due to covid, many other important expenses of the bar went up, from glassware to limes, insurance, and cups, to making sure their employees are paid well.
“We’re known as the originators of the citywide special in Philly. Our biggest seller is the special. It’s really become so popular because it’s accessible to everybody. If you have 5 dollars you can get a drink, blow off some steam, talk to good people and have a good time. Even with those who do have a lot of money, regardless of the drinks, it helps that they’re cheap, but coming here helps them relax and reset and enjoy themselves. We don’t have plans to change our price..,” Said Oskar.
Interestingly enough, when the Bella Vista neighborhood favorite, “The Dive” had been sold and went under new ownership, the few things they didn’t change was their $7 dollar citywide price. Originally their only citywide special was a PBR and any shot of well liquor for 7 dollars.
“Before I started here Aaron used to tell me the special was $6, but when I first started in 2023, it increased to 7 bucks..” Said Richie, Bartender at “The Dive.”
Instead the owners decided to add more of a variety of different types of the special to sell more, combinations such as a high life beer and shot of fernet for $9, a Kenzinger beer and Old Grandad for $8 or a Modelo beer and well tequila shot for $7.
Up until recently, 12 steps down, the popular South Philadelphia bar located in the Italian Market, had suspended having a citywide special at the establishment. 12 steps has their citywide priced at $7 dollars and up. One of their issues about not having a citywide for a while wasn’t necessarily about the price but about the culture of the special. Part of the issue was being cost conscientious, $7 dollars for the current Citywide is the bare minimum, in the last year they’ve had to raise their liquor prices up from 50 cents to a dollar.
Before bringing back their current special, originally, it was $5 dollars, and during happy $2.50 but due to inflation and kitchen costs, the decision to suspend their special until recently had to be made.
“There were several reasons why we didn’t have one for a while but one of the main ones was mostly because like, you know, people were just getting intoxicated too fast or like we didn’t have the right deals with different liquor companies. I think it was just like the accessibility of it. Like, we couldn’t find a proper deal that would work out for the companies selling us the liquor and us, actually selling the liquor,” Said Mario, Bartender at 12 Steps Down.
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