Palizzi Social Club is not the sort of Philadelphia restaurant where you can simply walk in, pick a table, and order pasta. The South Philly institution serves Italian-American cooking in a members-only clubhouse, with family recipes, a short dinner menu, and a cocktail list that feels right at home in its old-school setting.
If you are looking for the Palizzi Social Club menu, you will find its published starters, grilled dishes, pasta, house specialties, desserts, and cocktails below. You will also find what is known about 2026 pricing and the membership rules that matter before planning a visit.
Price note (checked October 2026): Palizzi publishes dish names and descriptions on its official website but does not publish item-by-item prices. A separate September 2026 listing reports a $60-per-person prix fixe dinner, but that amount is not confirmed by Palizzi. The tables below therefore list actual published menu items without inventing individual prices.
What Is Palizzi Social Club?
Located at 1408 South 12th Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Palizzi Social Club began in 1918 as a gathering place for immigrants from Vasto, Italy. Chef and club president Joey Baldino now carries on the tradition with food inspired by family recipes. The focus is on familiar ingredients handled with care: crab gravy, beans and greens, ricotta, seafood, and meat cooked in the Italian-American style.
It is a private social club, not an ordinary restaurant open to everyone. That distinction affects everything from booking a table to how you pay for dinner.
Palizzi Social Club Menu Prices in 2026
The official Palizzi Social Club dinner menu is public, but its prices are not. Rather than attaching unreliable dollar amounts to individual dishes, here is the limited price information that can be identified and dated.
| Price or charge | Published amount | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Individual starters, pasta, mains, desserts and cocktails | Not publicly listed | Palizzi’s official menu gives descriptions but no prices. |
| Prix fixe dinner (third-party report, September 2026) | $60 per person | Reported by a dining guide; not independently confirmed by the club. Treat as unverified. |
| Annual membership (reported May 2025) | $20 | Historical rate from a limited membership release; not a confirmed current offer. |
| Additional gold seal (reported February 2025) | $40 | Historical charge for certain reservation access; not a confirmed current charge. |
Budgeting tip: Palizzi says the clubhouse is cash-only. Members should confirm the current dinner format and cost through the club or its member-only reservation arrangements before attending. Membership dues and dinner charges are separate matters.
Palizzi Social Club Starters and Grill Menu
The opening dishes are built around straightforward Italian flavors. The escarole and beans is a traditional choice if you enjoy a comforting vegetable dish, while the scallops and stromboli offer more substantial alternatives.
Starters
| Menu item | Description |
|---|---|
| Classic Caesar | Romaine lettuce with Parmigiano and imported anchovies. |
| Capasante | Baked sea scallops with mushrooms and Italian breadcrumbs. |
| Escarole & Beans | Escarole, cannellini beans, olive oil, and garlic. |
| Stromboli | Pepperoni, mozzarella, and oregano in a baked stromboli. |
Grilled Dishes
| Menu item | Description |
|---|---|
| Spiedini | A choice of swordfish or chicken. |
| Lamb Chops | Lamb seasoned with garlic and parsley. |
| Octopus | Rock octopus with salsa verde and lemon. |
| Sausage | Fennel sausage served with broccoli rabe and Calabrian chili. |
If you are eating with friends, mixing a starter with one grilled dish makes it easier to sample different parts of the menu. Ask about the current portion sizes and whether the table is ordering à la carte or through a set dinner format.
Palizzi Social Club Pasta and House Specialties
For many diners, pasta is the main reason to visit. Spaghetti with Crabs is especially associated with Palizzi and South Philadelphia’s Italian-American food traditions. Its tomato-based crab sauce is different from a typical cream-heavy seafood pasta.
Pasta
| Menu item | Description |
|---|---|
| Spaghetti with Crabs | Spaghetti with blue crab and San Marzano tomato sauce. |
| Gnocchetti | Small semolina dumplings with beef ragù and Nero d’Avola. |
| Raviolo Vasto | A filled pasta with spinach, ricotta, and egg yolk. |
| Calamari & Peas | Squid, sweet peas, small pasta shells, and Pecorino. |
House Specialties
| Menu item | Description |
|---|---|
| Tripe | Tripe cooked with tomato, eggplant, cinnamon, and Caciocavallo cheese. |
| Fritto Misto | Fried salt cod and small fish with roasted garlic aioli. |
| Brasciole | A traditional rolled-meat preparation with breadcrumbs, tomato, and boiled egg. |
| Stuffed Artichokes | Baby artichokes with Locatelli cheese, lemon, and parsley. |
If you want a signature order, spaghetti with crabs is the clearest starting point. Local chefs interviewed in late 2025 also singled out the lamb chops and escarole with beans. The more unusual house specialties, particularly tripe and stuffed artichokes, are worth considering if you prefer traditional Italian-American recipes over a standard red-sauce pasta dinner.
Palizzi Social Club Desserts Menu
The dessert selection is short, with three classics shown on the club’s published menu.
| Dessert | Description |
|---|---|
| Spumoni | Layered flavors of pistachio, vanilla, and strawberry. |
| Mom’s Ricotta Cheese Pie | Ricotta dessert with an almond crust and Amarena cherry. |
| Sfingi | Fried dough finished with anise sugar. |
Spumoni is the cold, colorful option. The ricotta pie makes a good finish if you like creamy cheese desserts, while sfingi offers something simpler and fried.
Palizzi Social Club Cocktail Menu
Drinks are part of the clubhouse experience. The official menu names eight signature cocktails, ranging from sparkling citrus drinks to darker spirits and an espresso-based creation. No current individual cocktail prices are published.
| Cocktail | Main ingredients listed |
|---|---|
| The Laverghetta | Fresh basil, ruby grapefruit, and Prosecco. |
| The DiCicco | Ketel One vodka, extra-virgin olive oil, and vermouth. |
| The Smagiassis | Grappa, orange curaçao, lime, and cranberry. |
| The DiToro | Prosecco, sugar cube, aromatics, and lemon. |
| The Mezzaroba | Fernet, aged rum, house ginger cordial, and soda. |
| The Molino | Rye whiskey, amaretto, lemon, and egg white. |
| The Bozzelli | Gin, Cocchi Americano, Galliano, lime, and chili. |
| The D’Amo | Brown-butter-washed spirit, espresso, and clotted cream. |
For a lighter, sparkling drink, the Laverghetta or DiToro fits the bill. The Mezzaroba is a more bitter, spirit-forward option. Ingredients and availability may change, so ask the bartender about the current preparation.
Palizzi Social Club Membership, Reservations and House Rules
You need membership access to visit. The club’s published house rules allow each member to bring up to three non-member guests. A reservation does not waive that requirement: Palizzi’s reservation page says members must present their card. The venue admits adults aged 21 and older only.
The club’s membership page currently says new applications are paused. There have been limited membership releases in the past, including a short sale in May 2025, but those dates are not ongoing enrollment. Check the latest position before making plans.
The clubhouse is cash-only. It also enforces a dress code: gentlemen remove hats, and flip-flops and sweatpants are not permitted. Inside, there is no photography, excessive phone use, or social-media posting about the experience. Visitors are asked to be considerate of the neighbors when entering and leaving. Membership alone does not guarantee a seat when the small space is full.
There is also a small upstairs space called the President’s Room, reported in 2025 as a cocktail-focused lounge with jazz and antipasti. Access has its own eligibility restrictions, so do not assume a standard dining reservation includes it.
Palizzi Social Club Location, Opening Hours and Dietary Information
| Visitor detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 1408 S 12th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147 |
| Official opening schedule | Thursday–Sunday, 6 p.m. until late |
| Monday–Wednesday | Not listed as open |
| Access | Members and permitted guests, age 21+ |
| Payment | Cash only |
Some third-party listings show a 5 p.m. opening, but the club’s own house rules say 6 p.m. Use the official schedule as your starting point and check member communications for any changes.
For food allergies, do not rely on dish names alone. Several dishes contain seafood, anchovies, wheat, dairy, or egg. Escarole and beans may look vegetarian, but ingredients and garnishes should be confirmed directly with staff. The public menu does not provide a full allergen chart or promise gluten-free or vegan preparations.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Palizzi Social Club Menu
Does Palizzi Social Club publish menu prices?
No. The official online menu lists dishes and cocktails without individual prices.
How much is dinner at Palizzi Social Club in 2026?
A September 2026 third-party listing suggests $60 per person for a prix fixe dinner, but the club has not publicly confirmed that amount. Check with the club for a current quote.
What is the most famous dish at Palizzi Social Club?
Spaghetti with crabs is a signature favorite, made with blue crab and tomato sauce.
Can anyone eat at Palizzi Social Club?
No. It is a members-only club, although a member may bring up to three guests under the published rules.
Can I make a Palizzi Social Club reservation without membership?
The club’s reservation policy is for members, who must show their membership card upon arrival. A guest should attend with an eligible member.
Is Palizzi Social Club cash-only?
Yes. Cash-only payment is part of the club’s official house rules.
What time does Palizzi Social Club open?
Its official site states 6 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, with late-night closing rather than a fixed published end time.
Does Palizzi Social Club have vegetarian choices?
There are vegetable-focused dishes, including escarole and beans, but the kitchen should confirm ingredients and preparation for specific dietary needs.
Final Thoughts
The Palizzi Social Club menu in Philadelphia is compact but distinctive: crab spaghetti, grilled meats, old-school house specialties, three desserts, and an inventive cocktail list. The official dishes can be checked online; their current individual prices cannot. For anyone with membership access, the most useful preparation is to confirm the dinner price, bring cash, and follow the clubhouse rules.
You may also read: Zizzi Menu With Prices (2026): Pizza, Pasta & Drinks Guide
