Philadelphia visitors and locals looking for something a little different when it comes to nightlife will appreciate the addition of Jose Garces' newest creation: Nacional 56.
This establishment makes its home downstairs at Rosa Blanca Diner in Washington Square West. Nacional 56 expands a bit into the upstairs area to utilize Rosa Blanca's main dining area during weekend late nights, allowing visitors to spread out a bit and enjoy different music both upstairs and down.
The bar features a Cuban influence, offering specialty drinks to match. Happy hour and frequent specials also add to the attractiveness of the place – as if patrons need an excuse to try out something new by a name so well known and appreciated in this city.
The wide variety of rum available at Nacional 56 demands to be sampled — Photo courtesy of Rosa Blanca
Nacional 56 serves up a great nightclub atmosphere with the benefit of no cover charge, which is always a boon for business. The establishment serves beer, wine, cocktails and accompanying snacks and table food such as empanadas, crispy chicken wings, fried yuca and chicharrones de palomitas (a combination of adobo spiced popcorn and pork rinds).
What's not to love about those offerings?
Step into Rosa Blanca Diner and head underground Wednesdays thru Saturdays to see what Nacional 56 can do to spice up a drab night.
If the draw of innovative cocktails, drinks and tasty food doesn't get crowds into this new bar, the foot-tapping music from both DJs and live groups certainly should. Feel free to dance here as well, as the roomy surroundings leave space for anyone who so desires to kick up their heels and cut a rug.
Fans who appreciate just watching or grabbing a drink and visiting with friends and coworkers will also feel at home here, as seating is plentiful. Finding a quiet corner to tuck oneself is always possible.
Music and drinks, as well as space to sit and catch up with friends, make this bar a win-win — Photo courtesy of Michael Korcuska
Food and drink options at Nacional 56 are tackled by Jose Garces, who certainly knows his way around a kitchen; he has a long history of successes in the "City of Brotherly Love."
Entertainment is left in the capable hands of David Pena of Pena Productions, who handles productions in Atlantic City and other casinos. Both are proud Latinos, so they feel that the influence they are trying to deliver through their nightclub is authentic and quite real.
Patrons visiting their establishment and soaking up the atmosphere, sampling the food and drink specials and partaking of the music and dancing will, of course, have to be the final judges. Things, however, are certainly looking good so far.
