Megan Parry

There is no better way to end the day in the City of Brotherly Love than with a stiff drink in hand at the coziest bars in Philadelphia. No, you don't need an excuse to stop by these local gems: sure, most boast warm fireplaces ideal for winter, but who doesn't like a secluded, tucked-away destination in the dead of summer as well?  Enjoy craft cocktails, delicious, frothy beers and wines of every variety at all these bars, found in neighborhoods across the city, sometimes tucked away behind the best restaurants in Philadelphia or in unassuming underground locales. Cheers! RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best bars in Philadelphia

Between otherworldly dishes served at the best restaurants in town, incredible hiking destinations, green parks and coffee shops whipping up some outstandingly photogenic (and caffeine-filled) drinks, the most Instagrammable places in Philadelphia basically serve as a love letter to the city of Brotherly Love. We've combed through out Instagram feeds to find shots by locals who have managed to capture the moments that make Philly look so damn pretty and—boy oh boy—we have fallen in love with our city all over again. Get ready to swoon.

There are few things more blissful than sipping a cold beer on a warm summer night in the city, and thankfully there are enough beer gardens in Philadelphia to give you nearly endless opportunities to imbibe all season long. These sudsy oases dot the city, in lush Philadelphia parks, sitting in the shadow of Philadelphia museums and, in at least one case, floating on the Delaware River. Follow our guide to find the best beer gardens in Philadelphia, all of which offer their own kind of unique atmosphere, extensive beer, wine and cocktail lists, and menus rife with hearty barbecue-style grub, like pork sandwiches, burgers and hot dogs. Swing by for happy hour some nights, or grab a chair and lounge for hours. Nobody’s going to be rushing you here. Note: Keep in mind that some of these beer gardens, like Spruce Street Harbor Park, the Oval and Bok Bar, don’t open till later in the season—usually sometime around Memorial Day. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best bars in Philadelphia

When looking for where to stay in Philadelphia, most folks opt for Center City, which is great, but exploring our neighborhoods is an unbeatable way to not only get to know the city on a deeper level but explore the essential things to do in Philadelphia without being in the middle of the hustle and bustle of downtown. Check out our guide to the hippest neighborhoods, which details some of the best hotels in Philadelphia and the coolest bars and restaurants in Philly that exist outside the regular tourist circuit. Your search for where to stay in Philadelphia just got a whole lot easier.

The annual trek to see Christmas lights in Philadelphia is a local holiday tradition that rarely disappoints—mainly because there are so many magnificent displays in and around town. Here, we lay out a dozen of the top places to see Christmas lights in Philadelphia, whether they’re glowing neighborhood affairs or elaborate light shows put on by Philadelphia parks and businesses. Pair your exploration with some of the top Christmas events in Philadelphia such as Christmas Village or Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest, or as a way to treat yourself after a day of perusing Christmas markets. For the most part, the lights stay on from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Eve, so you have plenty of time to bask in the glow. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to Christmas in Philadephia

Philadelphia’s never been one to skimp on the Halloween parties. This city starts celebrating All Hallow’s Eve well before October 31 rolls around, with tons of Halloween events happening the weekend before. This year’s offerings include pub crawls through some of the best bars in Philadelphia, family-friendly block parties, Day of the Dead events at Philadelphia museums and soirees at Philadelphia nightclubs going all night with dancing, boozing and costume contests. Check our guide to the best Halloween events below to start your planning. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best things to do in Philadelphia

With an Insta-worthy aesthetic (think reclaimed wood, twinkling lights, industrial lamps) and a rotating list of drafts that you can get in a growler to go, the Chestnut Hill Brewing Company and its adjoining beer garden are most definitely worth a trip from Center City. Its Neapolitan-style wood-fired pizzas pair perfectly with the menu of West Coast-inspired IPAs, and if you’re not a beer drinker, they’ve got a tightly curated wine list to satisfy.

If your idea of a perfect beer garden is more cozy and quaint, less rambling and raucous, this year-round hidden gem in Midtown Village is just for you. Connected to Mediterranean restaurant Opa, with twinkling lights strung over picnic tables, you can actually hear your friends talk while you work your way through the menu, which includes more than two dozen beer options on draft and in bottles and cans, a selection of wines and specialty cocktails, and hearty grub like burgers, salads and desserts. Our suggestion? Go for one of the Victory beers on the menu and down a lamb gyro with extra tzatziki.

If you want to feel like you’re having drinks at home but want your cocktails expertly crafted and your surroundings elegantly eclectic, 1 Tippling Place is the place to be. The atmosphere here is warm, the furniture mismatched and the drinks strong. Their seasonal offerings are quirky but approachable, so you don’t have to be a cocktail connoisseur to feel comfortable. And if you’re interested in an end-of-weekend nightcap, check out their Sunday happy hour specials from 10pm to midnight.

Cruise down the 1600 block of 13th Street where every house, tree and telephone pole is strung up with lights in a dazzling display of community spirit. This a beloved local tradition that’s as South Philly as a Pat’s cheesesteak, but decidedly much better for you. Eager residents begin decking their halls months in advance of the light show’s late-November start date, and switch on the displays every evening until New Year’s. It’s a heart-warming, only-in-Philly kind of experience—and it’s extra AF.

Hipsters do homey with this Kensington restaurant/bar. A concrete fireplace, grade school chairs, a long bar and large front windows make Martha a welcoming neighborhood bar for the local discerning set. The inventive hoagies pair well with the mile-long beer list and the draft list includes cocktails, wine and kombucha. Hit up Martha on a Monday night, when happy hour often includes complimentary booze from local businesses.

If the lush urban jungle flanking the wooden doors of the Dandelion don’t immediately make you feel at home, there’s no doubt the crackling fireplace, long beer list and soul-warming hamburgers will. Drinking at Stephen Starr’s gastropub is like drinking in your English grandma’s cottage, if she were hip in that effortlessly haphazard way that the Dandelion’s perfected with its red-leather banquettes, floral curtains and rugged wooden tables. Stop by for afternoon tea for an elegant spread of boozy tea-based cocktails and tiers of sweets and sandwiches.

It says it right there on the sign hanging out front: Murph’s Bar is “a comfortable place to be.” The Irish pub has all the charm of a well-loved dive with the hint of something slightly more upscale—we’re talking PBR and Aperol Spritz, truffle ravioli and mozzarella sticks, exposed brick walls and taxidermied animal heads. You’ll find longtime Fishtown residents and 30-something transplants cozied up together at the copper penny bar, the Elvis Presley lamps casting a warm glow on their chef-made pasta and bottled beers. Stop by the ATM before you check out this study in cool contradictions—this old-school joint is cash-only.

Vegetarian cocktail snobs, welcome home. This Center City spot, with its carmelized eggplant bao buns and (almost) too-pretty-to-drink cocktails, is perfect when you’re feeling indulgent (or want to impress your favorite vegan). It’s got an intimate, sexy vibe with glittering chandeliers, knickknacks galore, cozy seating and the coolest name we’ve ever heard. Hot tip: Happy hour (Mon–Thu 4–7pm, Fri 4–6pm) here is generous, with a housemade punch and zucchini “crab cake” sliders that can easily make for an early-bird meal.

You don’t have to be a discerning Francophile to fall in love with this Bella Vista creperie and its delightfully old-school bar. From the decadent crepes and classic cocktails to the tin ceiling and roaring fireplace, Beau Monde is a date night dream spot. Be sure to check out the sparkling wine selection if you’re looking to celebrate—it’s short but bursting with some of the best bubbly in town—and it’s well-priced, too.

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.

When you’ve reached the linen closet and can’t go any further—go just a little further. It’s there you’ll finally find Elbow Lane, Harp & Crown’s hidden basement bar and bowling alley, in all its funky, vintage-inspired glory. The bar boasts a wide selection of seating (bar stools, tables, booths, couches and arm chairs) and a curated selection of charcuterie, cocktails and pizza all in a warm, relaxing atmosphere that’s only interrupted by the occasional sound of falling pins.

With the nicest front-door greeters in town and bartenders who are more than happy to explain the esoteric ingredients that pepper their extensive cocktail menu, this subterranean Rittenhouse speakeasy feels like the fanciest neighborhood bar—just with seriously inventive drinks. Candlelit tables, corner booths and low ceilings make for a cozy atmosphere that’ll have you ordering another round. But be forewarned: These delicious cocktails are boozy AF.