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Philadelphia Distilling
Photograph: Courtesy Visit Philadelphia/J. Fusco

The best bars in Philadelphia, from dives to cocktail bars

Raise your glass to the best bars in Philadelphia, serving up cold beers, inventive drinks and more ways to whet your whistle

Josh Middleton
Written by
Josh Middleton
Contributor
Time Out editors
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Any city that has a drink special so ubiquitous that you could walk into any bar in town and ask for it by name must be a place that takes its drinking seriously. That’s the case in Philadelphia, where telling the bartender you want a “Citywide,” or just “The Special,” will make a can of cheap beer and a shot of well whiskey magically appear before you on the bar. But while we may be a shot and a beer town at heart, Philly’s bar scene offers so much more, from sophisticated cocktail bars and rooftop gems to neighborhood gastropubs and corner dives.

RECOMMENDED: The best restaurants in Philly

This guide was updated by Philadelphia-based writer Tim McManus. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines

Best bars in Philadelphia

  • Bars
  • Avenue Of The Arts - South
  • price 2 of 4

A glowing neon sign invites guests into Writer’s Block Rehab on the stretch of nightlife hotspots along (or just off) the ever-expanding Midtown Village business corridor. Dreamed up by industrial engineer Ram Krishnan, the wordsmith-inspired cocktail lounge offers bar seating on the first and third levels, but head to the second floor “Library” for a more comfortable, lounge-type experience. The menu boasts an impressive selection of wine, beer, and creative cocktails like a turmeric pisco sour and arugula martini.

  • Bars
  • Dive bars
  • Avenue Of The Arts - South
  • price 1 of 4

Bob and Barbara’s Lounge has been a South Philly institution since the late ’60s. Go on a Friday or Saturday night to listen to the Hammond B-3 organ combo playing Liquor Drinking Music, or on a Thursday night to sit in the front row for Philly’s longest-running drag show. Be sure to grab a Citywide Special before the night is out. They say the legendary Philly drink—a can of Pabst Blue Ribbon and a shot of Jim Beam—originated here.

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3. Fountain Porter

The beau ideal of a corner neighborhood bar, this South Philly standby is romantic enough for a first date, familiar enough to be your local, and sublimely straightforward. The $6 cheeseburger is served one way—medium—and is perfectly juicy. The beer list is long, quirky, and doesn’t just rely on the same local craft breweries that everyone carries. The wine selection takes interesting turns, too, featuring a healthy sampling of skin-contact and natural wines. The soundtrack here has been all vinyl since before that was cool again.

4. Locust Rendezvous

The Vous” is the true locals' bar in Center City, the one we don’t tell the tourists about. “The Vous Crew” has been at it since 1989, and while the times change, the formula doesn’t. This is where your bar would go for a drink, if it could. The bio on an Instagram account claiming to belong to the Vous reads simply, “a bar’s bar.” The beer is cold and cheap, especially for the neighborhood. The food will never leave you hungry. The waitress will learn your name, if not on the first visit, the second. She probably served your dad at Happy Hour in 1996. How can you not love a bar that filmed a charmingly earnest commercial during the pandemic to remind the city to “stay strong?”

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  • Bars
  • Cocktail bars
  • Rittenhouse
  • price 3 of 4

Whether you prefer your scotch straight or have a hankering for an old-fashioned, the brown liquor selection at the Library Bar is top-notch. Nestled within the Rittenhouse Hotel, the Library Bar exudes the kind of quiet sexiness that you want in a luxe hotel bar experience. And yes, bibliophiles can browse the bar’s small library, so don’t be scared to show up alone for a stiff nightcap and a leisurely read by the front-room fire.

  • Bars
  • Dive bars
  • Center City
  • price 1 of 4

A refreshing juxtaposition from the posh-ness of nearby Rittenhouse Square, Oscar’s Tavern is a Center City staple when you want to bypass all the fancy-pants cocktail lounges and wine dens in the area for cheap beers, greasy pub grub, and friendly yet take-no-bullshit waitstaff. The joint, which opened in 1972, has an almost diner-like feel, decked out with wood-paneled walls, a lineup of stools at the bar, and a row of ripped red-vinyl booths that fill up fast when the after-work crowd rolls in. In the back, you’ll find tables, single-stall bathrooms, and a jukebox cranking nostalgic tunes. This is a Philly dive bar at its very best.

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  • Bars
  • Beer bars
  • Rittenhouse
  • price 2 of 4

According to Monk’s, the only reason you’re not a fan of beer is because you haven’t found the right one yet—so let Monk’s help you. Browse through the “Belgian Beer Bible” and choose from over 25 varieties on tap and over 200 bottles from all over the world. Pair your beer with some mussels and frites, and you’ll be sure to have a jolly good time.

8. Charlie was a sinner

Who is Charlie and what exactly did they do? No one’s telling here, not at this dark and playful cocktail bar in Midtown Village. Their signature cocktails stand up with any in the city and their zero-proof options are more extensive than most. The all-vegan menu of small plates makes it stand out from the crowded Center City bar scene.

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  • Bars
  • Cocktail bars
  • Fishtown
  • price 2 of 4

Exposed brick walls juxtaposed with modern finishings characterize this hip distilling company housed in a former factory in Fishtown. The claim to fame here is that Philadelphia Distilling is the first post-Prohibition distillery in this city. They’re behind creations such as Bluecoat American Dry Gin, Vieux Carré Absinthe, and Penn 1681 Vodka—all of which can be found in state liquor stores and in many of the best bars in Philadelphia. Or you can just sidle up to the bar at Philadelphia Distilling and have one of their mixologists whip you up a cocktail in the very place where these spirits were born. 

  • Bars
  • Dive bars
  • Greater Philadelphia
  • price 1 of 4

Dirty Franks, which opened in November 1933 (just a month before Prohibition was repealed), is the dive bar to end all dive bars. Join the classic Philly bar scene in this low-ceilinged, raucous joint, which is also a stop on a Mural Arts Philadelphia walking tour—thanks to its illustrated outdoor wall full of well-known Franks such as Sinatra, Avalon, and even Aretha Franklin.

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  • Bars
  • Lounges
  • Greater Philadelphia
  • price 2 of 4

In a narrow alleyway off of 13th Street in the Gayborhood lies this gem that’s just loaded with character. You’ll see that as soon as you walk in the door, as you look over the dimly lit dining room decorated with vintage artwork—mostly of the female-focused, soft-porn variety—frilly lamps and even taxidermy fish. Grab a table for dinner or sit around the bar for a selection of beer—available on draft or in a bottle or can—wine and cocktails. The food menu features upscale bar fare that ranges from skirt steak and shrimp scampi to chicken wings and burgers. Upstairs, a performance space hosts a variety of shows throughout the month—from burlesque and drag shows to dance parties presided over by a solid lineup of local DJs.

  • Restaurants
  • Japanese
  • Center City
  • price 2 of 4

The main level of Double Knot functions as a cozy café, but Philly’s sushi connoisseurs know to expect more than coffee and pastries at this Midtown Village outpost. Downstairs, a dimly lit dining room serves a Japanese menu with sushi, sashimi, meaty entrees, and creative sides. Behind the bar, unique cocktails incorporate Japanese components like yuzu, Japanese plums, and cherry blossoms.

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  • Bars
  • Greater Philadelphia
  • price 2 of 4

You’d never suspect the city’s best rooftop view exists on top of a former high school in a quiet Southeast Philadelphia neighborhood, but lo and behold, Bok Bar offers just that. The drinks menu is small but impressive, with a food menu for snacking. The rooftop is also, by way of being atop a school building, enormous. Mosey over if you just need a place to enjoy a beer and breathe.

  • Bars
  • Dive bars
  • Bella Vista
  • price 1 of 4

Way back in 1938, proprietor Anthony “Ray” Capozzoli greeted everyone who crossed the threshold of Ray’s with a booming “Happy Birthday!”—hence the current moniker. Take your birthday shot (complete with a candle tucked into a clever holder) at the long oak bar and enjoy live music, including a popular open mic night on the first and third Tuesday of each month and karaoke every Friday.

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  • Bars
  • Fishtown
  • price 2 of 4

It's Oktoberfest all year round at Frankford Hall, where you can munch on Bavarian pretzels and bratwurst while browsing through a huge selection of German and American beers on tap, bottles, cans, and beer cocktails (yes, beer sangria is a thing). Sit inside among the exposed brick and open windows or gather out back with a bunch of friends at the long wooden tables.

  • Bars
  • Lounges
  • Center City
  • price 2 of 4

A stalwart bar, music club, and restaurant just off the always-busy 13th Street corridor, Time hosts live local musicians every night it’s open, their jazz/rock/experimental sounds floating out onto Sansom Street through big picture windows that open onto the sidewalk. There’s also an under-the-radar second-floor lounge that hosts DJs and unorthodox bookings like poetry and erotic fiction readings.

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  • Bars
  • Center City
  • price 2 of 4

In the back of Sampan restaurant in Midtown Village, Graffiti Bar, decorated with custom street art, serves daily cocktail specials under a modern clear ceiling. Catch the game on one of the wall-mounted televisions while taking in offerings like the cheap satay happy hour.

  • Restaurants
  • Spruce Hill
  • price 2 of 4

Stop into West Philly mainstay Local 44 after work to be greeted by the friendly bar staff, who will serve you delicious food and excellent craft beer. The menu boasts vegan and vegetarian options, and you can grab a drink to go from the bottle shop on your way home.

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  • Bars
  • Lounges
  • Callowhill
  • price 2 of 4

The Trestle Inn hosts go-go shows straight out of the 1960s and 70s. Open Thursday through Saturday, this watering hole has been a haven for a colorful assortment of patrons ranging from circus performers to traveling salesmen for more than one hundred years. If you can’t choose between the seemingly unlimited selection of whiskey and rye, opt for a flight and sample several varieties.

  • Restaurants
  • Gastropubs
  • Northern Liberties
  • price 2 of 4

For locally produced draft beers served up in a simple and friendly atmosphere, head to Standard Tap in Northern Liberties. There are at least 20 beers on tap every day, and although the décor of this tri-level space (which includes a rooftop deck) is simple, the offerings keep customers coming back.

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  • Nightlife
  • Nightlife
  • Newbold
  • price 1 of 4

The Dolphin’s glowing neon-lit wall is highly Instagrammable, but chances are you’re here for the low-key South Philly dive bar vibe—at least until the DJs come in. The Dolphin is open Wednesdays through Saturdays only.

  • Bars
  • Dive bars
  • Greater Philadelphia
  • price 1 of 4

This funky bar—spacious and complete with graffiti and lots of makeshift seating—is a must for beer lovers. Catch cheap drafts with a lax vibe and billiards, to boot. Cocktails are inventive, and the food menu is heavy on veggie and vegan fare, like a vegan pickle fried chicken sandwich and even a vegan Philly cheesesteak.

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23. Interstate Draft House

If the only thing Interstate Draft House was ever known for was being the originator of the “Fishtown Iced Tea,” it still might have made this list. But this is an outstanding neighborhood bar that every part of the city would be proud to claim for its own. It’s the kind of place where you go to catch a college hoops game on a Friday afternoon and find yourself leaving early Saturday morning. There’s no reason to change locations, with an expansive tap list and a Southern-inspired bar menu that’s much better than it needs to be. And, of course, the signature Fishtown Iced Tea, a deceptively smooth combination of vodka, rum, tequila, and Triple Sec that goes down nearly as easy as the cartons of Arctic Splash that inspired it.

24. American Sardine Bar

There’s no better place to drink outside in South Philly than in the backyard of this Point Breeze staple on a warm summer evening. That is, unless you’re drinking there during the holidays, with the colored lights and Santa’s sleigh twinkling overhead as the fire pits shoot their columns of flame into the night. (Pro tip: book a table on their website.) The inside is just as gorgeous, featuring a long wooden bar that runs through the length of a space that has hosted a bar room since Prohibition. And yes, they serve a sardine sandwich.

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26. Lucky’s Last Chance - Manayunk

Lucky’s Last Chance may be the last bar you see at one end of Manayunk’s main street, but it’s anything but an afterthought. In a neighborhood best known for its college haunts, Lucky’s is a grown-up option that should be a first choice for anyone who loves craft beer and burgers. It’s a proper bar, but one that never loses a sense of fun that shows itself through an eclectic decor, off-menu items that reach cult-like status, a late-night brunch, and burgers that carry names like “Pickle Monster” and “PB & Bacon.”

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  • Bars
  • Cocktail bars
  • Washington Square
  • price 2 of 4

What Knock lacks in a lively atmosphere, it makes up for with an intrepid team of bartenders who put heart and soul into their classic cocktail creations. The Makers Manhattan is a particular winner, a lightly spicy, booze-forward concoction that finds balance with just the right amount of sweet vermouth. Abutting the bar area is a fine dining area serving a mix of pub grub and upscale New American fare. Grab a table outside when it’s warm to enjoy some prime people-watching from behind your shades.

  • Music
  • Fishtown
  • price 2 of 4

An instantly recognizable beacon situated at one of the busiest intersections in the city, Johnny Brenda’s has become synonymous with the slow-and-steady growth of Fishtown as a citywide commercial and artistic draw. Partners Paul Kimport and William Reed, owners of the nearby Standard Tap, took over the longstanding neighborhood bar in 2003, infusing new life into the space. Up front still has that comfy tavern vibe, with local draft beers and billiards. But the rest of the space offers multiple options, from a small dining room in the back to the balcony-equipped music venue upstairs that local and touring artists champion for its intimate layout.

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  • Bars
  • Lounges
  • Gayborhood
  • price 2 of 4

Tavern on Camac, situated on a quiet cobblestoned side street in the Gayborhood, is most known for its sleek piano lounge, which draws seasoned songbirds and—and the occasional theater major from the nearby University of the Arts—for hours of boozy showtune sing-alongs. But you don’t have to have pipes like Judy to have fun here. The upstairs dance floor, compact as it may be, is a particular favorite on weekends for nightlifers looking for an alternative to the meat market that is Woody’s. 

  • Bars
  • Cocktail bars
  • Callowhill
  • price 2 of 4

Besides the ornate iron door, no sign lets you know that this speakeasy-type bar exists in the middle of Chinatown. Ring the bell and ask to be let in, but ensure you’re dressed appropriately. It’s cash-only, and no cell phones are allowed inside, but rumor has it they serve the best Pisco sour in town.

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  • Bars
  • Pubs
  • Fairmount
  • price 2 of 4

If you’re looking for a friendly neighborhood bar, stop into the Bishop’s Collar, where they serve “salvation by the pint” by way of a good beer selection, a hip crowd, and lots of regulars. Find a seat on one of the church pews, old Veterans Stadium chairs, or outdoor tables lining the sidewalk.

32. Three Monkeys Cafe

Located steps away from the Torresdale Train Station in the Northeast, Three Monkeys is the kind of place that will make you forget about your daily commute. This unique bar has something for every kind of drinking mood. For a classic cocktail, there’s a vintage pub, complete with a hand-carved, turn-of-the-century bar that was rescued from an old Kensington bar room. For those feeling more adventurous, Monkey Court and Tree Bar make up an outdoor courtyard and patio with Key West vibes. There’s even a formal Victorian dining area called Risdon Ferry Dining Room.

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