A nightlife guide for philadelphia

Posted: 02/09/2007--25/11/2008 || Rate this Article: 3 || Views|| Sign In || Register ||Hello Guest

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is known for its rich history. Here you will find the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, and the Betsy Ross House.

After dark, however, Philadelphia's historic streets light up with a rich array of nightlife. There's something for everyone - from quiet, romantic lounges to high-intensity dance clubs. Here is a guide to some of Philly's hottest nightlife, in Philly's hottest neighborhoods.

Center City

Center City Philadelphia offers a variety of bars and restaurants, many of which cater to the after-work Happy Hour crowd but offer a fun time on weekends as well. From the upscale bars within the restaurants lining Rittenhouse Square (18th & Walnut) to casual Irish pubs like Fergie's (1214 Sansom) or Fado (1500 Locust), you'll find a spot to fit any mood. Center City is also a haven for brewpub aficionados. You can sample home-brewed beers, and eat well, too, at the Independence Brew Pub (1150 Filbert) or the Nodding Head Brewery (1516 Sansom).

For live entertainment, check out the Trocadero (10th & Arch) for alternative rock, or Zanzibar Blue (200 S. Broad) for jazz. If you feel like dancing, you can rock the night away (and work off that Philly cheesesteak you had for dinner) at the '70s retro club Polly Ester's (12th & Race).

Delaware Waterfront

Along Delaware Avenue (also known as Columbus Blvd.), you'll find a wide variety of restaurants and nightclubs. For an upscale dinner overlooking the Delaware River, try the Meiji-en (325 N. Columbus Blvd.), the tall ship Moshulu (401 S. Columbus Blvd.), or the Chart House (555 S. Columbus Blvd.). The nightclubs along the Delaware waterfront are legendary. Dress to impress and then hit the Rock Lobster (221 N. Delaware) or KatManDu (417 N. Columbus) to see and be seen.

Manayunk

Main Street, in Philly's Manayunk section, is lined with shops, bars, restaurants, and nightclubs. Here, you can choose from an upscale dining experience at Jake's (4365 Main), the hip, casual bistro atmosphere of LeBus (4266 Main), or anything in between. Brewpub fans can enjoy the homebrewed offerings (and great food) at the Manayunk Brewery (4120 Main). In good weather, relax on their outdoor patio overlooking the Schuylkill Canal.

Northern Liberties

Philly's Northern Liberties section springs to life after dark, where you can catch some live jazz at Ortlieb's Jazz Haus (847 N. 3rd), or dance, drink, and mingle at the 700 Club (700 N. 2nd). The Standard Tap (901 N. 2nd) offers a more traditional bar/restaurant setting, while the Abbaye (637 N. 3rd) offers a wide selection of Belgian beers, in bottles and on tap (as well as in the food).

Olde City

In Olde City Philadelphia, you'll find a variety of bars, restaurants, and nightclubs for every price range. Enjoy the upscale Casbah atmosphere at Tangerine (232 Market), or sip a freshly made mojito at Cuba Libre (10 S. 2nd). For dinner, try the ethnic fusion cuisine at Serrano (20 S. 2nd), and then go upstairs to the Tin Angel for some live music by a local singer-songwriter.

South Street

Last but certainly not least, South Street, from the Delaware waterfront west to 8th Street, offers the ultimate nightlife experience. Stroll South Street and the adjacent side streets and check out the many unique specialty shops and boutiques, many of which stay open late. Visit the Copabanana (4th & South) and try one of their famous margaritas, which are made from scratch, or grab an outside table at Bridge Foy's (2nd & South) or Jon's Bar And Grille (3rd & South), where you can enjoy a drink and a casual meal while watching the eclectic crowd go by. South Street also offers some upscale alternatives, most notably the elegant Monte Carlo Restaurant (150-152 South). For live entertainment, catch a comedy act at the Laff House (221 South), or some music at the Theater of the Living Arts (334 South). It won't take you long to see why South Street has been dubbed "the hippest street in town."