Nightlife

Nightlife in Philly [1] spans cheesy, swank, hip, and divey—along with everything in between. Though there are plenty of exceptions to this, the scenes can be classified by area. Old City bars and clubs tend to be stylish and trendy, catering to a decked-out, bar-hopping crowd often on the prowl. The somewhat more subdued, sophisticated lounges and bars of Rittenhouse cater to anyone with money. The grittier Northern Liberties is known as the hip, artsy part of town, but is fast becoming the destination of choice for youngsters of all types.

While there is no shortage of upscale martini spots and velvet-lined lounges, Philly is by and large a casual city, where many locals hang out at the corner bar on an average night. Visiting a neighborhood bar can reveal much about local culture, and won’t cost you more than $3 for a Yuengling lager, the local brew of choice.

Gamers can find heated karaoke competitions, team trivia games (known locally as Quizzo), or pool tournaments throughout the city. There is also plenty of high-quality bar food, so when deciding where to eat dinner, bars should be considered—especially since the smoking ban was passed in 2007. Happy hour specials abound from 5 to 7 p.m. on weekdays.

Fans of live music will be happy to know that every major and minor act comes through Philly, and on any given night—especially on weekends—you can find national headliners, up-and-comers, and open-mike stages in diverse venues across the city. From intimate jazz clubs like Ortlieb’s [2], to hipster bars like Johnny Brenda’s [3] and Starlight Ballroom [4], to acoustically superb mid-size stages like World Café Live [5], Philly has the perfect stage for every act.

Unless otherwise stated, most bars and clubs in Philly close at 2 a.m. sharp, and most don’t have a dress code. That said, there is always a major concert, deejay, or late-night party happening somewhere around town; just ask a friendly local, or check out the weekly papers, PW and City Paper, for extensive listings of nightlife events.

Philadelphia’s Best Nightlife [6]

• Best Jazz Club: Ortlieb’s Jazzhaus [2]
• Best Live Music Venue: World Café Live [5]
• Best Dance Club and Diner All in One: Silk City [7]
• Best Dive Bar: Bob & Barbara’s [8]
• Best Quizzo Game: Fergie’s [9]
• Best Bar Burger: Good Dog [10]
• Best Wine Bar: Tria [11]
• Best Gay Nightlife: Woody’s [12]