Books & Bourbon: After-Hours Whisky Tour at Carpenters’ Hall

As a born-and-raised Philly local, it feels almost embarrassing to admit that at 27 years old, I had never stepped foot inside Carpenters’ Hall — the literal site of the First Continental Congress back in 1774. But thanks to an exclusive After-Hours Whisky Tour, I finally got my chance — and let me tell you, it wasn’t just a history lesson, it was a whole vibe.

Hosted in the heart of Old City, this 90-minute private experience gives guests a rare peek into Carpenters’ Hall after dark, featuring three scotch samples (which I very politely passed off to my husband), a private tour with Executive Director Michael Norris, and access to the second floor’s stunning 19th-century library, which is usually off-limits to the public.

And yes — there were books under glass. My idea of heaven.

I'll be honest — I don’t love scotch. I’m more of a tequila or martini kind of girl. But there’s something oddly perfect about sipping (or in my case, pretending to sip) whisky while surrounded by centuries-old architecture and leather-bound volumes. The setting felt like something out of a movie: candlelit lighting, creaky floors, glass cases filled with antique texts… It was moody in the best way.

While my husband happily enjoyed the scotch on both our behalves, I lost myself in the library’s collection of rare books. My absolute favorite find? A gem titled The History of a Mouthful of Bread by Jean Macé, published in 1866. Yes, the name made me laugh out loud, but the concept stuck with me — the book explores how something as simple as a bite of bread nourishes every cell in the body. Quirky, brilliant, and oddly poetic.

Michael Norris, the Executive Director, led our tour with the kind of passion you feel — part historian, part storyteller, all heart. We stood in the main hall where the Continental Congress once gathered and walked through a pop-up exhibit of rare artifacts that brought those early days of American independence to life in a way that no textbook ever could.

And that second floor? Total hidden gem. With vaulted ceilings, polished wood, and shelves of rare books, it felt sacred. Quiet, untouched, full of whispers from the past.

This experience reminded me that Philly’s history isn’t just something tourists come here for — it’s something locals should fall in love with, too. Carpenters’ Hall is free and open to the public (seriously, how had I never been inside?!), but getting to see it after-hours, with a glass of whisky in hand and a 150-year-old book about bread? That’s a night I’ll remember.

Whether you love scotch, history, libraries, or just doing something a little off the beaten path — I can’t recommend this tour enough. I came for the history, stayed for the book collection, and left with a renewed appreciation for the city I call home. See more coverage of my night there by clicking here!