The 14 best clubs in Philadelphia

The glowing, neon-lit wall on Dolphin Tavern’s dance floor is Instagrammable AF, but chances are you’re here for the music (and the modest cover charges). Home to one of Philly’s most eclectic mix of DJs and dance nights, you will find something you like at this South Philly institution.

This subterranean nightclub in Philly’s business district stands out on the local nightclub scene with a funky, retro aesthetic and a giant ball pit (yes, you heard that right). The 15,000-square-foot space is only open on Friday and Saturday nights when a rotating list of guest DJs rolls through to play throwback hits from the ’80s, ’90s, and 2000s. There’s no dress code, but be sure to chuck your shoes and heels before crashing into that ball pit.

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This funky gem, located in a narrow alleyway off 13th Street in the Gayborhood, is loaded with character. The dimly lit ground level is adorned with vintage artwork—mainly of the female-focused, soft-porn variety—frilly lamps, and even taxidermy fish. This is a great place to congregate around the bar with a cocktail in hand, but upstairs is where the party resides. DJs roll in around 10 pm on Friday and Saturday nights.

Equal parts retro diner and raging nightclub, this famous Northern Liberties haunt makes for a well-rounded Saturday night with cheap drinks, a packed dance floor, and late-night dinner service to soak up all the booze. The nightclub, decked out 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. Weeknights feature a more laid-back vibe, especially during the warmer months, when the crowd spills into the Alice in Wonderland-inspired back patio.

During the week—especially in the summer—Woody’s is one of the Gayborhood’s busiest happy hour hangouts. Still, on weekends it can barely contain the sea of tank-top-clad fellas (and bachelorette parties!) that flood in for a night of drinking, dancing, and boys-will-be-boys-ing. This is 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 preside over a spacious dance floor that thumps until 2am.

Philadelphia meets Vegas at this trendy nightlife spot in Chinatown, decked out with glitzy chandeliers, plush booths, and one of the most immense disco balls in the city. NOTO (short for “not of the ordinary”) is the place to go if you want to spread out, with a 2,900-square-foot main room, a balcony level that nearly surrounds the entire dance floor, three bars, and a whopping 27 restrooms. It’s also the place to check out a list of international DJs who spin on a platform surrounded by a 420-square-foot LED wall.

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This lively underground spot in Midtown Village has decor inspired by Berlin’s subway system—with graffiti on the walls, subway-tile backsplashes, and a wooden rail fixture decorating the bar—but the drink list is all local. The draft system pours Pennsylvania beers and ciders, and cocktails are mixed with PA-distilled spirits. DJs play lively sets on Friday and Saturday nights, while weeknights sport a more laid-back vibe—and ample opportunity to play some retro arcade games on site like Ms. Pacman and Street Fighter 2.

Gayborhood sports bar and nightclub Tabu moved down the street from a tight, ramshackle rowhouse to a sprawling, three-level mega-complex that houses a sports bar, nightclub lounge, performance space, and, when it’s warm out, a kitschy tiki-style bar on the roof. There’s usually a dance night or two on the weekly events calendar, with local DJs and drag queens working the turntables. Expect thumping remixes of recent pop hits and beloved gay icons like Whitney, Mariah, and Madonna worked into the playlist.

This swanky rooftop bar on top of the Kimpton Hotel Monaco Philadelphia in Old City offers a chill vibe and gorgeous city views if you want to grab cocktails during the week. Still, weekends heat up with a rotating lineup of DJs and the occasional celebrity guest. This isn’t your typical Philly nightclub experience: a casual yet upscale dress code is enforced, and drinks are pricey. The top-tier champagne list is particularly splurge-worthy.

If it’s last call and you’re not ready to stop dancing, head to this tucked-away NoLibs club, open for members from 10pm to 3am every Friday and Saturday. DJs usually play old-school funk, soul, and disco when they are in the house. The bar, with its plastic cups of whiskey and draft beers, is reasonably priced.

After nearly a decade-long hiatus, this storied Old City bar turned Southern gastropub re-opened its second-level live performance space. In its heyday, Upstairs at the Khyber welcomed everyone from Iggy Pop to Kurt Vile to the Smashing Pumpkins. Still, seasoned nightlife-goers will remember legendary dance parties like Making Time that once rocked the tiny, bare-bones space. It remains a fabulous night.

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The Saint—as regulars refer to it—is most known for its chill Tuesday Night Hang Out parties, which bring out crowds looking to dance, courtesy of DJ ASTRO 8000 and Jose Cuervo and Jim Beam drinks. There’s no dress code, but you might want to throw on something photo-worthy. Local photographer Fame Lust is in the house each week to take shots of the crowd that end up on The Saint’s Facebook page.

Stroll into this unassuming “whiskey and go-go” bar in Callowhill, and you’ll feel transported through time. The dancehall and speakeasy scream 1970s lounge, with its glowing bar and actual go-go dancers performing most nights of the week. Brown liquor is in ample supply here, whether you’re looking for whiskey, bourbon, rye, or scotch. Sours are particularly popular and inexpensive. Show up on weekends for the complete Trestle Inn experience, when DJs play funk and soul jams to a packed dance floor, and the go-go gals shimmy until close at 2am.

This three-story dance complex in the heart of the Gayborhood is one of the only after-hours joints in town. When everything else closes at 2 am, Voyeur rages on with a lineup of energetic, EDM-focused DJs and epic light shows in the main room. For a more relaxed experience, the club offers bottle service and VIP seating in its retro-chic mezzanine lounge. Think you see flurries? Don’t worry; you are not hallucinating. The club is also equipped with a state-of-the-art bubble machine that replicates snow.