6 Best Nightlife in East Passyunk, Queen Village, Bella Vista, and South Philadelphia, Philadelphia

For Pete's Sake

Queen Village

Pete's, in Queen Village, could easily be mistaken for just another neighborhood watering hole, but the menu is eclectic, featuring a regularly changing lineup of creative food alongside the requisite wings and burgers.

New Wave Café

Queen Village

To its devoted Queen Village clientele, the New Wave is more than just the place to wait for a table at Dmitri's, the always-crowded seafood restaurant across the street. The regulars come to this long, narrow bar to unwind with a local Yuengling beer (referred to, simply, as "lager"), play a game of darts, and enjoy the oft-changing gastropub menu.

Sidecar Bar & Grille

South Philadelphia
An anchor establishment in the south–of–Center City neighborhood of Graduate Hospital, the Sidecar delivers with an approachable mix of great beer, creative pub food, interesting people, and positive vibes. (There's always good music playing here.) The main bar is accompanied by a second-floor hangout that often plays host to events and get-togethers.

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The Pub on Passyunk East

East Passyunk

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.

Theatre of Living Arts

South Philadelphia

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.

Triangle Tavern

South Philadelphia
An old-school South Philly bar converted by the owners of Khyber Pass Pub, Royal Tavern, and Cantina Los Caballitos, the Triangle is at once new and old. While the smart craft beer and spirit selection nods to nouveau drinkers, the bar's old-school menu, featuring pastas, roast pork sandwiches, and other hearty South Philly specialties, is as classic as it gets.