The 10 best clubs in Philadelphia for drinks, DJs and dancing

The vibe: The glowing, neon-lit wall on The Dolphin Tavern’s dance floor may be photogenic by design, but the music (and modest cover charge) is the real highlight. Home to one of Philly’s most eclectic mixes of DJs and dance nights, you are sure to find something you like at this South Philly institution. That goes for the vibe too, as the venue is a self-proclaimed cross between a lounge, tavern, and dive bar. Once an iconic go-go bar, The Dolphin reopened in 2013 and became a local favorite ever since. The calendar is stacked with all sorts of genres, like 2000s hip-hop, ’90s techno, and ’80s new wave. The most famous event, though, is undoubtedly ABBARAMA, a ’70s pop and disco party that features crowd-pleasing ABBA tracks (and encourages themed dress).

Getting in: $5 to $15 cover or paid ticket, depending on the event; no bottle minimum or reference required

Dress code: Casual

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The vibe: This funky gem, nestled in a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it alleyway off 13th Street in the Gayborhood, is bursting with character. The moody, dimly lit ground level is decorated with vintage artwork—mainly of the femme-focused, soft-porn variety—frilly lamps, and even taxidermy fish, letting guests know that this isn’t the average Philadelphia nightclub. Franky Bradley’s is an ideal choice for hanging out at a bar with friends and a cocktail. Head upstairs, and the energy turns more party-oriented. DJs turn up around 10pm on Friday and Saturday nights, so that’s when you should get there to avoid the later crowds. (Franky Bradley’s is also beloved for show-stopping burlesque and drag performances, if you’d rather cheer someone on than dance yourself.) If you want to keep the cost to a minimum, scour the calendar for $5 Fridays, which boast both a $5 cover and $5 drinks. 

Getting in: Cover and ticket costs vary by event, no bottle minimum or reference required

Dress code: Casual

The vibe: Equal parts retro diner and bumping nightclub, this unique Northern Liberties haunt (which looks like an old-school, tin-can diner on the outside) makes for a well-rounded Saturday night with cheap drinks, a packed dance floor, and late-night grub to combat all the booze. The club, complete with neon lighting, a black-and-white tile floor, and disco ball chandeliers, gets shoulder-to-shoulder packed on Saturday nights when DJs spin a mix of guilty-pleasure pop and hip-hop favorites alike. Weeknights tend to inspire a more casual vibe, especially during the warmer months, when the crowd spills into the dreamy back garden. (It was voted Best Outdoor Dining Space in the city back in 2010, FYI.) Silk City hosts plenty of live acts too, in case you’re more into local bands than busting a move. 

Getting in: Ticket costs vary by event, no bottle minimum or reference required

Dress code: Baseball caps, hoodies, sweats, and sports attire are not permitted

The vibe: During the week—especially in the summer during Pride—Woody’s is one of the Gayborhood’s busiest happy hour hangouts. On the weekend, it’s positively bubbling with people. It’s Philadelphia’s oldest gay bar, but it keeps things fresh with expansion projects, including the swanky, neon-hued Glo Bar cocktail lounge just off the main bar area downstairs. On the upper level, local DJs and a shimmering disco ball reign over a spacious dance floor that thumps until 2am. On the busiest nights, it can barely contain the sea of tank-top-clad guests (and bachelorette parties!) that flood in for a night of drinking, dancing, and shenanigans. There are more than 30 beer taps to consider, ranging from Italian imports to local craft brews to macros. The food is limited, but just enough to hold you over between cocktails (think fries, wings, and beer-battered chicken tenders). 

Getting in: Varying cover charge on Thursdays and weekends

Dress code: Casual

The vibe: Formerly known as Tabu, 254 is a must-see nightclub in Philadelphia that wears many hats. Having relocated from a narrow rowhouse to a sprawling, tri-level mega-complex, it’s now home to a sports bar, dance floor, show space, and, when the weather is right, a cabaret and roof deck. In other words, you can take in a totally different energy just by switching floors. Sports fans can chill at the downstairs bar by the TVs, noshing on bar fare and sipping local brewskis, while partiers can venture elsewhere for dance nights or other music-fueled weekly events, often with local DJs and drag queens working the turntables. (Open mic is popular, too.) Prepare your feet and vocal cords for remixes of today’s pop tracks and those of beloved gay icons, like Whitney, Mariah, and Madonna. The playlist never disappoints.

Getting in: No cover most nights (ticketed events may vary); no bottle minimum or reference required

Dress code: Shoes required, no ski or costume masks allowed except for relevant costume events, shirts required in the dining room

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The vibe: Think Vegas cabaret meets New York nightclub—and Philadelphia prices. For an unforgettable evening out, there’s Fabrika, located in the ever-buzzy Fishtown area. Whether you take in a RuPaul’s Drag Race-caliber drag performance, dare-defying fire-breathing, or hand-spun beats by a local DJ, you can consider your attention held and your money well spent. Fabrika hosts recurring events (like a live audition series and weekly drag brunch) and one-of-a-kind, trend-inspired parties (like an anniversary celebration for Charlie XCX’s Brat album), both of which you can buy tickets for in advance. Better yet, there are plenty of elevated cocktails and shockingly good food to keep you energized as the evening goes on. The dress code is pretty lenient, but the swanky setting will make you want to wear some of your best…but there’s no need to stress too much over your fit.

Getting in: Entertainment fee, ticket costs, and spending minimums apply, but vary by event

Dress code: No flip flops or gym attire

The vibe: Sure, it’s technically an Ethiopian-Eritrean restaurant, first and foremost. But this Baltimore Avenue mainstay is arguably most adored for its nightlife. From DJ sets to dance parties to jam sessions, Dahlak brings the party to West Philly, meaning residents don’t need to venture far (read: to Center City) to get their groove on. If you want to soak up the spotlight, there are also open mics and karaoke events to plan for on the resto’s calendar. There are macrobrews and a few craft beers on the menu, as well as cocktails. Take the Mango Mule, a mix of rum, fruit, and spicy ginger beer, or an electrifyingly energizing Espresso Mezcaltini, spiked with Kahlúa. (Even better, there’s happy hour between 4 and 6pm and 10pm and 1am, so time your visit to save on creative bar bites and bevs.)

Getting in: No cover, bottle minimum, or reference required (may vary by event); free RSVP required for some events

Dress code: Casual

The vibe: This laidback gem in Northern Liberties has been quenching the public’s thirst for dancing, drinking, and singing for nearly two decades. You may not realize it from the outside, since it’s a dive-ish sports bar, but The 700 knows how to inspire a memorable evening. The venue sums it up best: “dance parties at The 700 feel less like going to a nightclub and more like going to a house party with great music.” Themed dance nights abound on the event calendar, and there’s something for everyone. I’m talking disco, Latin, hip-hop, new wave, goth, and beyond. Once you work up a sweat, head to the bar to catch some of a Phillies game, or cool off with local beers from breweries like Wissahickon Brewing Company and Yards Brewing Co. If it’s a real-deal libation you’re after, I recommend The Jorge, made with Philly-made Stateside vodka, St. Germain, club soda, and fresh orange juice. 

Getting in: No cover or bottle minimum

Dress code: Casual

The vibe: This subterranean dance bar (the website specifies this term, saying Concourse is definitively not a nightclub) in Center City is genuinely one of a kind. With a vibrant, retro-yet-modern aesthetic and a giant ball pit called The Pool, the 15,000-square-foot space is just as much an immersive art installation or grown-up playground as it is a bar or club. Open only on Friday and Saturday nights, guests can get in on the exclusivity with a rotating list of guest DJs that tend to play throwbacks from the ’80s, ’90s, and 2000s. If live music is more your thing, there are plenty of bands who roll through to play their best. There’s also a new ice room (which is currently the only one in all of Philadelphia) that begs guests to snap photos and cool off with everything from a Rocky ice sculpture to a frozen LOVE statue, modeled after the one in Love Park. 

Getting in: $5 cover from 9-10pm, $10 cover from 10pm-close; no bottle minimum or reference needed

Dress code: No dress code, but you need to take off your shoes to enter the ball pit

The vibe: Philadelphia meets Vegas at this trendy nightlife spot in Chinatown, decked out with ornate chandeliers, cushy booth seating, and one of the most gargantuan disco balls in the entire city. NOTO (an acronym for “not of the ordinary”) is home to a 2,900-square-foot main room, a balcony level that nearly surrounds the entire dance floor, three bars, and, most importantly, 27 restrooms, making it an ideal place to be part of a crowd without standing in line for half the night or having no room to actually dance. Of course, you’ll pay a bit more than you would at other, more casual spots on this list, but that’s all part of the fun, no? For a special occasion, NOTO is definitely worth the splurge. It’s also a popular venue for a range of international DJs, who spin tracks on a platform surrounded by a 420-square-foot LED wall. 

Getting in: Cover charge and bottle service minimums vary by event

Dress code: Upscale and trendy; shorts, sandals, athletic sneakers and wear, work boots, and ripped or baggy clothing not allowed