Must-see nightlife in Philadelphia

  • Trestle Inn

    Philadelphia

    On a dark corner this classed-up old dive is notable for its friendliness and craft cocktails, which can be enjoyed in a happy hour that lasts from 5pm…

  • Monk's Cafe

    Philadelphia

    Hop fans crowd this mellow wood-paneled place for Belgian and American craft beers on tap – it has one of the best selections in the city. For those…

  • Elixir Coffee Roasters

    Philadelphia

    Tucked in an alley, this hopping coffee spot has a warehouse theme, complete with meat-locker doors for the bathrooms. Funky miniature terrariums, murals…

  • Khyber Pass Pub

    Philadelphia

    A wide range of craft beers from across the US are sold at this friendly all-day bar. Happy hour runs 4pm to 6pm and the beer menu includes handy tasting…

  • Pilgrim Roasters

    Philadelphia

    Dan Faehl and Ryan Connelly are the passionate and friendly duo behind this coffee roaster and cafe. Take your pick from four daily featured coffees, all…

  • La Colombe Fishtown

    Philadelphia

    All the stops have been pulled out for the Philadelphia gourmet-coffee giant's flagship store in a converted Fishtown warehouse. Here you'll find a self…

  • City Tap House

    Philadelphia

    You can get very merry working your way through the 60 beers on tap here. This, plus the outdoor terrace on two levels and decent food, make City Tap…

  • Philadelphia Distilling

    Philadelphia

    The old Ajax Metal warehouse near the Delaware riverfront has been revamped into this impressive craft spirits operation, with a sophisticated bar and…

  • R2L Restaurant

    Philadelphia

    The view, the view, the view. And did we mention the view? This upscale spot serves up the nightscape of Philly along with whatever is on the menu. Craft…

  • Dandelion

    Philadelphia

    The bustling atmosphere of an English country inn and great food set this gastropub apart, and the bar is open until 2am. Craft cocktails, such as the…

  • Ranstead Room

    Philadelphia

    This popular speakeasy stays on the down low with no website and no clear sign – look for the double R on the door. Inside it's all dim lights, red-and…

  • The Random Tea Room

    Philadelphia

    This charming antique-style cafe dedicated to teas and infusions is practically unique in Philly. The 40-plus artisanal blends can be enjoyed by cup or…

  • Bob & Barbara's Lounge

    Philadelphia

    This classic dive with a padded linoleum bar and lots of Pabst Blue Ribbon–themed decor is named after its original owner and manager. They're long gone…

  • Panorama

    Philadelphia

    The Guinness Book of World Records has declared Panorama home to the largest wine preservation and dispensing system in the world (and who are we to argue…

  • Harp & Crown

    Philadelphia

    It's tempting to hang out upstairs at this buzzing restaurant and bar with its double-height ceiling and long horseshoe bar. But head downstairs to…

  • Franklin Mortgage & Investment Company

    Philadelphia

    Take your pick from two cocktail bars at this location. At basement-level a barely-lit speakeasy pays homage to a Prohibition-era booze operation run by…

  • Rival Bros Coffee Bar

    Philadelphia

    Sparring boxers are the logo for this well-regarded local coffee roaster that occupies an impressive space on the ground floor of a chic apartment…

  • New Liberty

    Philadelphia

    Occupying the carriage house and old stables for an early-20th-century plumbing manufacturing company, New Liberty specializes in making rye whiskey, rum…

  • Evil Genius Beer Company

    Philadelphia

    Silly names – Purple Monkey Dishwater (a chocolate peanut porter) and Ma! The Meatloaf (a Belgium white ale) – for serious beer is the stock in trade of…

  • Olde Bar

    Philadelphia

    This remake of a classic Philly oyster house (formerly Bookbinders – the original sign hangs outside the building) maintains a stately, nostalgic vibe…

  • W/N W/N Coffee Bar

    Philadelphia

    Pronounced 'win win' this cafe-bar is run on a cooperative basis and has the feel of your coolest friend's living room. Apart from Elixir Coffee Roasters…

  • Manayunk Brewing Company

    Philadelphia

    Brewing craft beer since 1996, which makes them one of Philly's most established and accomplished microbreweries. There's usually at least nine different…

  • Urban Village

    Philadelphia

    The ales brewed and served at this spacious microbrewery change weekly, but you can expect plenty of IPAs as well as more adventurous styles such as a…

  • National Mechanics

    Philadelphia

    The latest incarnation of this impressive Greek Revival building (designed by William Strickland in 1837 for the Mechanics National Bank) is as a spacious…

  • El Bar

    Philadelphia

    Dimly lit, cash-only dive bar that takes its name from the elevated tracks of the Market-Frankford Line right outside. There's a pool table as well as a…

  • SkyGarten

    Philadelphia

    Dubbed Philly’s 'first beer garden in the sky,' SkyGarten meshes the comforts of a beer garden with intoxicating views of Philadelphia from 51 stories in…

  • 1 Tippling Place

    Philadelphia

    Whether you pull up a seat at the bar or find a cozy couch to relax on, this spot has everything you could want in a craft cocktail bar. Extra points if…

  • La Colombe

    Philadelphia

    Many cafes now carry the beans from these excellent local coffee roasters (since 1994), but this is the original, occupying a pleasant space near…

  • Juice Merchant

    Philadelphia

    Only organic ingredients are used to create the tempting range of fresh-pressed juices, smoothies and sweet and savory dishes at this Main St vegan cafe…

  • Yards Brewing Company

    Philadelphia

    There are some 20 different beers on tap at this microbrewery that began life in 1994 and moved into this impressive new space in 2018. Sample a flight of…

  • Stir Lounge

    Philadelphia

    If the LGBT-orientated watering holes of the Gayborhood just don't cut it for you, give this tiny dive bar a try – it's a friendly spot steps from ritzy…

  • Fiume

    Philadelphia

    This unmarked dive bar, in a small room above the Ethiopian restaurant Abyssinia, has live music, great cocktails and a good selection of craft beers…

  • One Shot Cafe

    Philadelphia

    This attractive cafe offers an elegant old-world space downstairs with circular marble-topped tables and a pressed-tin ceiling, while upstairs is a…

  • Parks on Tap

    Philadelphia

    This roving beer garden is a fun feature of Philly's spring and summer season. Go online to check which of the 23 different city parks it is located in…

  • Frankford Hall

    Philadelphia

    With an open courtyard and interior space set up like a classic German beer garden, Frankford Hall offers long shared tables and a bar serving a generous…

  • New Deck Tavern

    Philadelphia

    This three-decades-old traditional pub in the heart of University City stays popular by offering a crowd-pleasing mix of booze (28 beers on draft), homely…

  • Menagerie Coffee

    Philadelphia

    Hand-pour single-origin coffees are served in this attractive, chilled cafe that makes for an ideal pit stop while strolling around Old City. Oat milk is…

  • Rival Bros Coffee Bar

    Philadelphia

    This outlet of a well-regarded local coffee roaster is handy for a takeout coffee to enjoy in Fitler Sq. It's also a pleasant space to sit in.

  • Goose Island Brewhouse

    Philadelphia

    Chicago's Goose Island craft brewery's spiffy new operation is in an old dry ice factory near the river. There's a great range of beers on tap including…

  • Green Line Cafe

    Philadelphia

    Popular cafe named after the trolley line that passes outside. It's a relaxed spot to linger over an organic drip coffee, loose-leaf tea or a vegan soup,…

More destinations you need to see