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Generally speaking, you can break down Philly's central nightlife hubs into four distinct areas.
Traditionally, South Street is “where all the hippies meet,” according to the 1963 hit by Philly’s own The Orlons. The area has become a little less artsy in recent years, with tourist-friendly attraction taking over for some independent businesses, but there’s still so much to see and do, particularly along the eastern half of the river-to-river street—packed bars and restaurants, tattoo parlors, sneaker stores, cafés, erotica shops, and more.
Home to the majority of Philadelphia’s historical attractions, Old City is equally popular with party people come nightfall. Like South Street, it can get packed on the weekends, with various clubs, bars, and restaurants serving as draws. The crowd is a mix of tourists and locals, with the latter group heavy on “bridge-and-tunnel” types visiting from New Jersey and nearby suburbs. Columbus Boulevard, in particular, features a high concentration of club destinations.
North of Old City lie Northern Liberties and Fishtown. Both neighborhoods have long been associated with Philly’s bohemian crowd, a target for edgy artists, chefs, and musicians. More recently, however, both enclaves and the areas surrounding them have come into their own as legitimate cultural contenders citywide with great bars and breweries.
Finally, Rittenhouse Square, in the heart of Center City, is the premier hangout for Philly’s moneyed crowd, with a slew of high-profile bars, restaurants, and clubs joining a scattering of under-the-radar gems both old-school and new-school.
Other neighborhoods of interest are University City, with all the standard (and not-so-standard) college-age bars and clubs, plus unique international options in greater West Philly; East Passyunk, a hot strip featuring hip bars and restaurants commingling with South Philly’s old-school Italian population; and Manayunk, a nightlife-heavy area to the northwest particularly popular with college kids and recent grads.
Bars and clubs can sometimes close, change hands, or turn over with very short notice, so stay abreast of the latest by following the entertainment pages and respective websites of the Philadelphia Inquirer and Philadelphia Daily News (philly.com); the Philadelphia Weekly (phillyweekly.com); the Philadelphia Gay News (epgn.com); and Philadelphia magazine (phillymag.com).
In Philadelphia, last call for bars and clubs is 2 am, though there are a handful of places with special licenses that allow for legal after-hours service. Cover charges can range from free to about $12. While Philly tends toward the casual in many of its nightlife venues, there are dress codes enforced in some clubs. Best to check online to make certain if you're venturing into new territory.
People from outside the city might be surprised to see just how popular dancing is here. The persuasive DJ culture has permeated the city, especially in Old City, Northern Liberties/Fishtown, and on South Street.
Philadelphia has a rich jazz and blues heritage that includes such greats as the late, legendary jazz saxophonist John Coltrane and current players like Grover Washington Jr. That legacy continues today in clubs around town.
Though a number of Philly rock/pop venues are owned by Live Nation, a good variety of touring bands is still represented on a nightly basis. And with the advent of the Fishtown live-music scene at venues such as Johnny Brenda's and Kung Fu Necktie, as well as the popular Union Transfer on Spring Garden, there is a greater variety of live music available than ever before.
Plenty has changed in Northern Liberties over the years, but the 700 remains an approachable, no-frills neighborhood joint. The ground-floor bar, a popular gathering place for soccer fans and boasting a beer selection of 90+, gives way to a living room-like upstairs where DJs spin three nights a week.
NoLibs' reliable corner bar takes a Belgian approach, serving the appropriate beers (Chimay, Duvel) along with local crafts, in bottle and on draft. The hearty pub menu skews Euro, too, with some twists (vegan versions of wings, meatballs, and cheesesteaks).
A multifloored space, down a side alley, the Bike Stop caters specifically to those seeking leather-clad adventures.
Less concerned with the papacy than fine craft beer, the P.O.P.E., as it's called by locals, is a comfy neighborhood joint smack-dab in the middle of the drinking and dining enclave of East Passyunk Avenue. A bona fide neighborhood hangout that gets slammed on the weekends, the bar offers 15 beers on tap and loads more in bottles; the kitchens prepares straightforward fare, including burgers, nachos, and vegetarian options.
The TLA, a former independent movie house, is a South Street institution that helped launch the careers of many indie filmmakers, in addition to hosting regular screenings of cult hits like The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Today, it presents concerts by a range of rock, blues, hip-hop, and adult alternative acts.
A rocking big-city club from the same owners of the nearby Vintage Wine Bar, Time features three concepts in one—a whiskey-heavy cocktail bar; a dining room with a bar and live music seven nights a week; and an upstairs lounge and music venue. Downstairs acts tend toward the jazz persuasion, while DJs tend to dominate up top.
Wine, beer, and cheese is the celebrated trio at this branch of the well-loved collection of tasting-friendly bar-restaurants, which also features a lineup of clever small plates. The menu is packed with interesting info, as are the well-versed servers and bartenders.
Upstairs from sister joint Byblos, this luxe club and restaurant conjures up a Tokyo vibe, from its Japanese-themed menu to its emphasis on mod design. The real star, however, is the third-floor Skybar, offering panoramic views of the city.
This gay-friendly after-hours joint offers late-night thrills, courtesy of diverse DJ booking and a potent light-and-sound system. Two massive dance floors are filled with gyrating bodies, and a third-level catwalk gives those wanting a rest (or further libations) an excellent vantage point.
Philadelphia's most popular gay nightlife destination is spread over two levels, offering several bars—with monitors playing music videos and campy moments from TV shows and movies—and a large dance floor upstairs. Themed nights include Latin music on Thursdays and house, EDM, and hip-hop on Fridays.
Perched on the 19th floor of the Hyatt at the Bellevue, this high-end lounge bestows beautiful vistas of the city, solid cocktails, a seafood-centric menu, a roaring fireplace, and elegant decorative accents. It's certainly pricey, but the views make up for it.
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