Northern Liberties Nightlife

Gentrification has brought Northern Liberties much more than skyrocketing rents -- a nightclub and restaurant renaissance is afoot in this neighborhood, which spans from Spring Garden Street to Girard Avenue, and from Delaware Avenue to 6th Street. The neighborhood still has an industrial, working-class feel, though much of the area's old industry -- including printing, textiles, and metalworking -- is long gone. How do you get hip to the scene? Check the City Paper or Philadelphia Weekly for events. The Northern Liberties Neighborhood Association (215/627-6562. www.northernliberties.org) also has information.

The neighborhood has no shortage of eats and libations. The Abbaye (3rd St. and Fairmount Ave., Northern Liberties. 215/627-6711) is a neighborhood bar that serves five kinds of Belgian beer. North Third (801 N. 3rd St., Northern Liberties. 215/413-3666. www.norththird.com) is a casual bar and lounge with varied entertainment from Thursday through Saturday -- usually live music ranging from acoustic rock and blues to jazz and funk, short films, or comedy shows. The Ministry of Information (449 Poplar St., Northern Liberties. 215/925-0999 or 215/238-6558, 449 Poplar St., Northern Liberties. 215/925-0999 or 215/238-6558. www.northbowlphilly.com) is a popular joint for local hipsters (of which there are an abundance). The bar features many draught options, a good jukebox, and a couple of well-used pool tables. For an evening of 10 pins, Galaga, booze, and crunchy tater tots, North Bowl is hard to beat.

The 100-year-old Ortlieb's Jazz Haus (847 N. 3rd St., Northern Liberties. 215/922-1035. www.ortliebsjazzhaus.com) has music every night of the week; Tuesday and Sunday nights include a jam session for local musicians. There's plenty of musical diversity at Transit (600 Spring Garden St., Northern Liberties. 267/258-1321. www.transitnightclub.com), where you can hear house, techno, and funk. The sprawling space hosts "Making Time," a semi-regular confluence of DJs from all over the Northeast.