Philadelphia
Philadelphia

Philadelphia Neighborhood Bars


Neighborhood bars in Philadelphia are some of the best places in the city to relax with friends over drinks. Neighborhood bars usually have fun diversions, such as pool tables, dartboards, shuffleboard, pinball machines and jukeboxes, to keep things interesting. 12 Steps Down is a friendly neighborhood sports bar that caters to diehard fans. 1201 is another Philly neighborhood bar that caters to anyone in need of cheap drinks in a relaxed atmosphere. If you happen to be in Northern Liberties and want to visit a neighborhood bar, there might not be one better than the Standard Tap. This Philly neighborhood bar is known for its awesome jukebox and delicious portabella sandwiches. Tattooed Mom is a classic neighborhood bar in Philly that appeals to young hipsters who enjoy drinks on the cheap.
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Bob & Barbara's

1509 S. St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Tel. 215.545.4511
Bob & Barbara's may not be the classiest bar near Rittenhouse Square, but it may have the best drink specials, games and jukebox around. Bingo winners can look forward to receiving porn, while the losers could get stuck with a can of meat. This Philly dive also features drunken spelling bees, ping-pong and rock paper scissors tournaments and weekly drag shows. Bob & Barbara's special is a shot of Jim Beam and a can of Pabst—for only $3. They may as well have invented the dive bar.

Brownies Pub

46 S. 2nd St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Tel. 215.238.1222
Brownies Pub in the heart of Philadelphia's Old City serves up perfectly poured pints in a laid back atmosphere. Brownies is the sort of dingy bar that's easily missed when not actively looking for it. Beyond the seedy exterior lies a relaxed neighborhood bar that sees a crowd mixed between middle-aged professionals and college-aged serious drinkers. Brownies Pub is known for its fast and friendly service, low beer prices and delicious hot wings. This Philly pub is ideal for shooting pool, playing darts or just chatting with friends.

Dirty Frank's Bar

347 S. 13th St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Tel. 215.732.5010
For those who want a dive bar environment where nobody is judged for drinking pitchers alone, Philly's Dirty Frank's Bar couldn't be better. Pints at Dirty Frank's are cheap, but the $7 pitchers are an even better deal. True dive bar enthusiasts will appreciate the Ms. Pac Man machine, a semi-functioning pinball machine (complete with a deactivated tilt mechanism) and trivia nights with a crotchety host. This may not be the cleanest bar, but it has more atmosphere than most in Philly.

Doobie's

2201 Lombard St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Tel. 215.546.0316
Ah yes, another Rittenhouse Square dive bar. But this may be the only dive around Philadelphia with an excellent pub-grub menu that also features vegan cuisine. This is the kind of bar that oozes smoke from the dark, wood-paneled walls even though smoking is no longer allowed. Bring some friends and a deck of cards, order pitchers and spend the night relaxing in one of Doobie's comfortable booths. The jukebox is known for having a large selection of diverse tunes that regulars enjoy playing. This Philly dive is a favorite among locals to watch the game or unwind after work.

Fergie's Pub

1214 Sansom St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Tel. 215.928.8118
Step inside Fergie's Pub, possibly Philadelphia's most authentic Irish pub, and you'll immediately feel like you have been transported from Market East to Downtown Dublin. Traditional pub fare—Fergie's fish & chips and Shepard's pie—can be found on the menu, but juicy hamburgers, deluxe nachos and Fergie's famous Buffalo wings are also offered. This popular Irish bar is a great place to hear local music and readings during open mic nights. When there aren't any performances, Fergie's jukebox boasts a huge selection of Irish folk and rock tunes along with American bar favorites. Fergie's Pub is an excellent choice for something unique when exploring the Philly nightlife.

Good Dog Bar and Restaurant

224 S. 15th St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Tel. 215.985.9600
Philadelphia's Rittenhouse Square has a smattering of bars, but few have the personality of Good Dog Bar and Restaurant. Photos of dogs decorate the walls and the interior has a homey feel with beautiful deep-wood accents. Good Dog features local brews and gourmet food, including what many locals consider is the best burger in Philly. Upstairs has a pool table, internet jukebox and several arcade games. The list of beers on tap includes Philadelphia Pale Ale, Hoegaarden, Rogue Dead Guy Ale and Stoudt's Scarlet Lady—not the usual transparent brews that are found at many area bars. Relaxing in a true neighborhood bar is easy at Good Dog Bar and Restaurant.

Locust Bar

235 S. 10th St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Tel. 215.925.1800
The Locust Bar has the reputation for having the friendliest crowd in Philly, and with good reason. The eclectic mix of old timers, med students and after-work drinkers provides for a relaxed atmosphere in the heart of Philadelphia. Dives generally have a short list of beers on tap. Bud light, Pabst and maybe Coors can be found at most dives. Locust Bar has about a dozen draught beers and even more in the fridge along with a variety of cocktails. Don't miss out on Sunday night karaoke—some of Philadelphia's worst singers come out to embarrass themselves publicly. It's quite a spectacle.

McGlinchey's Bar & Grill

259 S. 15th St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Tel. 215.735.1259
McGlinchey's Bar & Grill must be what Hollywood bases dive bars on for movies. It's the whole package: surly waitstaff, dark and hazy with smoke (smoking ban be damned) and some of the cheapest drinks in Philly. If service and breathable oxygen are high priorities, McGlinchey's might not be an ideal fit. But there might not be a better place to get fed and intoxicated for less than $20 while enjoying meeting new people from the excited and young crowd. This Philly bar might not fit the mold of the typical bar, but for those who want to experience a true dive, McGlinchey's is hard to beat.

North Third

801 N. 3rd St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Tel. 215.413.3666
North Third is a funky neighborhood bar located in the Northern Liberties area of Philadelphia that offers specialty cocktails, comfort food and a large selection of draught beers from around the world. Don't miss out on the well-known blood orange margarita or the delicious weekend brunches. Local artwork, Christmas lights and random trinkets adorn the ceiling and walls, giving North Third a unique atmosphere that's hard to find elsewhere. This Philly bar also hosts a weekly film night that showcases shorts from local filmmakers.

Ray's Bar "The Happy Birthday Bar"

1200 E. Passyunk Ave., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Tel. 215.356.1169
Ray's Bar in the heart of Philly may have the best motto out of any dive: "You can't drink all day if you don't start in the morning." Perfect. Since it opens at 7am Monday through Saturday (11am on Sunday), they truly stand by this. Its close proximity to some famous Phillly cheese steak shops allows patrons to get some great food and bring it to Ray's to wash it down with cheap drinks. On Friday nights, Ray's Bar is home to some of the best karaoke in Philly.

Standard Tap

901 N. 2nd St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Tel. 215.238.0630
Philadelphia's Northern Liberties neighborhood boasts the Standard Tap, a lively beer bar popular among locals and visitors alike. The Standard Tap offers more than a typical bar menu and has a large selection of local and regional brews. Make sure to check out the jukebox—it is well known for having an outstanding variety of music sure to please anyone. The portabella sandwich, fried oysters and octopus keep regulars coming back. With such a unique bar menu and great atmosphere, it shouldn't be a surprise that Philly's Standard Tap has been a prime nightlife destination for years.

Tattooed Mom

530 South St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Tel. 215.238.9880
Tattooed Mom's bar is a hipster hangout on South Street, the heart of Philadelphia's nightlife. Punks, mods, artsy types and anyone looking for a bar that strays from the norm will love Tattooed Mom. Weekend nights feature $1 Pabst tall cans, and all sandwiches are half-price noon-4pm every day. Tattooed Mom is well known for having an incredible jukebox that plays everything from indie to hiphop. Two floors, each with a bar, keep things interesting at this popular Philly hotspot.

The Raven Lounge

1718 Sansom St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Tel. 215.840.3577
There's always something going on at The Raven Lounge, located a short stroll from Rittenhouse Square. Open mic nights, live music, standup comedy and even art shows are featured at this Philly bar. The two floors often have different types of music playing simultaneously, so patrons can choose whatever fits their moods. Sports lovers can catch games on huge flat-screen TVs downstairs while enjoying happy hour specials from 5pm-8pm. People who love action-packed drinking are sure to enjoy The Raven Lounge, one of Philadelphia's most unique bars.

Walnut Room

1709 Walnut St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Tel. 215.751.0201
Located a block from Rittenhouse Square, the Walnut Room has a great location for beginning or ending a night out in Philadelphia. This hip hangout is hidden behind an unmarked door in the second floor above the Buttercup Bakery. The sexy décor, enhanced by large windows that overlook Walnut Street, make it a great place to bring someone special or perhaps meet a new one. Expertly mixed cocktails, domestic and imported beers, wines and champagnes are offered. Bottle service is available for those who tire of repeated trips to the bar. Whatever the occasion, Philly's Walnut Room delivers good times in an excellent location.
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—Philadelphia bar and club reviews by David Backes