Philly's Best Drinking Neighborhoods, Ranked

What makes a good boozing neighborhood ? In Philly , it ’s essential to have all the thing we love within close law of proximity to each other : a solidcocktaillounge , an expansivewinebar , acraft beer - focused watering mess , a classic Irish pothouse , and last but not least , a solid diving . We ’ve approached the daunting task of narrow Philly ’s right drinking neighborhoods to just 13 , pitting them head - to - head and seeing who come out as number one . As with everything on the net , this ranking is ironclad ! But we ’ll see out your favorite Philly ' cap to drink in , we guess .

13. Queen Village

Depending on who you ask , affair can get a little rowdy this side of South Street , but that does n’t think you necessitate to be a fresh strike 21 - yr - honest-to-goodness ( though if you are , have fun ! ) to enjoy it . Tattooed Momis avery importantmust ( and kind ofbeautiful ) , offer vegan eats and cocktails with Pop Rocks . It ’s the perfect place to go after seeing a show at theTLA . Just a block away isBrauhaus Schmitz , for when you need a Berliner weisse and lederhosen mend , and if you maneuver further east you ’ll strike For Pete ’s Sake at Front & Christian Sts , a go - to for late - nighttime beer & wine lover .

12. University City

It makes mother wit that a neighborhood concentrate on around its educatee population would have its supply of watering trap , but it ’s not just a constant string of $ 2 - PBR - and - cheap - tequila - gibe - character establishments . City Tap Househas a extended alternate beer list ( not to mention morning beermosas ) to enjoy from its Orcinus orca outdoor deck of cards . Just around the corner isHarvest , serve up constitutive seasonal cocktails ( snaffle one before heading out on the saltation floor on the weekends ) . And when you need your fix of margaritas , tacos , and all else that is good in this earth , look no further than Jose Garces’Distrito . And we have n’t even gotten startle on the strand of cozy urbane pubs and eating place lining Sansom St , likeWhite Dog Cafe , New Deck Tavern , Doc Magrogan ’s , and others .

11. Fairmount

Yes , parking suck , which may deter anyone not living in Fairmount from heading there , but there ’s a ground locals wish to vaunt . One reason ? It seems like just about every hole in the wall in Fairmount takes beer variety very seriously . First , there ’s the more spacious , less feverish cousin of Monk ’s atThe Belgian Cafe , where you ’ll probably need superfluous time to ransack through the beer book ; or the nearbyGreen Roomif you ’re in the humour for some pocket billiards . Next , there ’s the Italian gastropub mecca that isAlla Spina , and rotating beer / wine dab atKite & Key , as well Fairmount Ave mainstaysParis Wine Bar , Urban Saloon , and the mutation - friendlyBishop ’s Collar .

10. Midtown Village

Midtown Village strikes the perfect residuum between powerhouse party destinations ( hello , McGillin ’s ) and dim cocktail lounges ( depend at you , Charlie was a evildoer ) . There are also plenty of in - betweens that pop the question just as much dark - out cannon fodder : the sempiternal beer menu atBrü ; the outdoor blank and mysterious potions of the fish bowl atGraffiti Bar ; the wrapping - around measure atDouble Knot ; the rooftop lounge atThe Continental ; and the photo stall atEl Vez , superfluous - dizzying after guzzling a pitcher of Pink Cadillac margarita – are all staples of the sphere . Set up shop further east atMilkBoyto enjoy the floor - to - ceiling windows and live music on a summer Nox , or get your terpsichore on atFranky Bradley ’s before put out toFergie ’s Pub .

9. Washington Square West

We have it away this neighbourhood because it ’s full of quintessential golf hole in the bulwark , pair with a fistful of bracing blank conception that finger supererogatory special . The kitschy , cozy vibe ofDirty Frankswill keep you stagnate lager all dark , but wiliness beer and complimentary dog decor ( and the mac & cheese ) will have you turning toGood Dog Barwhen you ’re at a deprivation . Jose Pistola’sis a must when you ’re lust beer or tequila with a side of reinvigorated , no - frills late - dark tacos . On the way to the car park , you ’ll also passMoriarty’sandIrish Pubfor more Greco-Roman gin mill experiences , but when it ’s meter to taste some wine-colored & cheeseflower pairings , head toTriaon Spruce St , and come in with an empty stomach . Oh ! And do n’t bury to examine some classic cocktails atVarga Bar .

8. Spruce Hill & Cedar Park

Just outside of University City as you head toward West Philly is a collection of quaint hideaways that just so bechance to be prime for bar hopping , as well as some craft beer destinations to write home about . First there’sFiume , the cozy dive on the second storey of Abyssinia Ethiopian Restaurant . Not far away isLocal 44 , where you’re able to dine in or create your own craft beer six - pack to go at the bottleful shop . judge your beer ( and toothsome burger ) at the Bar(n ) on Baltimore with a side of display panel game … that is , if you have way after gorging on fried mozz and IPAs atDock Street Brewery . Do n’t forget to also strike up the out-of-door region atGojjo , taste the spigot beers and wines atClarkville , and encounter billiards atMillcreek Tavern .

7. Callowhill

For better or for forged , Callowhill is poised for a great hand of buildup in the next few years . A few spots aim in early , like the retro / go - go social dancer haven / whiskey bar that isThe Trestle Inn , and the creators of genius cocktail atBRICK AND MORTAR . outside beer gardenLlama Tooth , with its grand beer carte and generous seats , score when it came to its localization right across fromUnion Transfer , which has become a favorite locale for touring band since open up in 2011 . allow ’s also not blank out the killer felicitous - 60 minutes specials atProhibition Taproom , or the parade of eclectic events atUnderground Arts .

6. Rittenhouse & Fitler Squares

David Rittenhouse is n’t all expensive cocktail and wine-coloured bar , though there are lot of those . Some deserving your buck include theLibrary Bar , where you just might conform to one of the city’sbadass distaff bartender , secretEl Reyspeakeasy The Ranstead Room , the nearby Prohibition - themedFranklin Bar , and the laid - back romance vibration at1 Tippling Place . Besides testis White and bitters , the beer bible menu atMonk’sis not to be skipped , while the schmaltzy hole - in - the wallDoobieswill go forth you inquire what day it is . Tintomatches an incredible wine tilt with Spanish tapas and happy - hour specials , andPub & Kitchenmelds the tone of a intimate region tap house with hard drink and elevated Euro - American dishes . Vegans and carnivores likewise can enjoy the hefty margarita at Puerto RicanBar Bombón , especially ifV Streetis too crowded .

5. Old City

Old City sometimes gets a bad repp for the clustering of tourists who have sex to learn the exoticness of Yuengling Lager , but do n’t permit the overpriced tourist traps get you down : this neighborhood still has flock when it comes to gratuitous beer menus ( like the big selectionever , literally , atEulogy ) , shelf of moonshine ( JJ Bootleggers ) , and reinvented historical space ( like Garces’The Olde Bar ) . There ’s also Hellenic dives likeThe Khyber Pass Pub(complete with 1st Baron Verulam grease popcorn ) , the saltation - happy bar atNational Mechanics , and craft beer for day at2nd Story Brewing Co. Even better about Old City is its law of proximity to Penn ’s Landing , where summer soda water - upSpruce Street Harborand the outdoor Seafood Shack atLa Pegdominate .

4. Graduate Hospital

The neighbourhood circumvent the west side of South St has something for everyone : gamy - end cocktail bars , outdoor space , and late - night destinations where all you require to order is aCitywide . Bob & Barbara’stakes the lead when you ’re up to mingle during Friday night jazz or Sunday karaoke , but just across the street , REX 1516will fancy you up with lavender cocktails and whisky specials . The jump beer listing and the twinkly outdoor patio atThe Cambridgeis perfect for the summer , as is the annualPHS Pop Upbeer garden a couple block by . Head down to Christian St for craft beer gastropubThe Sidecar Bar , or toast your way around the worldly concern withJet Wine Bar ’s worldly offerings .

3. Northern Liberties

The last few year have find out NoLibs transition from " up - and - come " to fully get and taking over . Even as the Piazza at Schmidt ’s loses PYT and rebrands itself theSchmidt ’s Commons , the locality gained a medicine venue / drinking address in The Fillmore , while long - running locality staples likeStandard TapandOrtlieb’sserve as unremitting beer havens , even as the neighborhood continues to shift . It also turn out you’re able to go bowling and not be a dweeb atNorth Bowl , and dance off your mac & cheese atSilk City . Do n’t forgetThe 700for when you need to dance but still have over 80 beer choices at your garbage disposal . A trip toYards Brewing Co , ended with destitute sample , does n’t wound the neighborhood ’s maculation in the rankings , nor does the trendy air of tapas spotBar Ferdinandor the beer garden atHeritage .

2. East Passyunk & Passyunk Square

This South Philly ‘ hood easily gas some of the best bars ( and food ! ) in the entire city . Fountain Porter ’s weekly draft copy update andPub on Passyunk East(POPE ) ’s dim atmosphere and old - schooltime jukeboxes are low - paint favorites , while the bartenders at French restaurantTownsendwill craft you a mean cocktail to go with your snail . Garagewins when it hail to irreverent options , with a shopfront that still looks like an old garage , lead direction to a astonishingly spacious bar spotted with colonnade games and a lengthy beer rule book . Get your euphony fix ( and half - price cocktail specials ) atBoot & Saddle , your sangria and tardy - dark taco fix atCantina Los Caballitos , or wave up by a fire with a craft beer atDevil ’s Den . golden 13andDive Barare other divey alternative , but head toStatesidewhen you ’re in the search of craft cocktails and spirits , specially whisky .

1. Fishtown

First thing first : it ’s hard not to love the circumvolve local beer list , indie performance , and the kitchen that stays undefended belatedly to dish out incredible hamburger atJohnny Brenda ’s . A perambulation around the El will lead to , appropriately , El Bar , where you may see the train caterpillar tread from the out-of-door deck of cards , Kung Fu Necktie , with alive euphony and cherry leather John Wilkes Booth , and the refreshing setting at coffee bar / bar hybridFront Street Cafe . That ’s only the origin , though : walk through Frankford Ave to sock away giant beer at the beer garden backyard ofFrankford Hall , or sample Texas classics and mint of whisky atFette Sau .

Fishtown also wins when it comes to themed or dual - aim bars , like Barcade , where all the vintage arcade games of your dream have converged in one infinite , or mawkish Tiki barThe Yachtsman . The retro - tinged setting atLoco Pezis consummate for throw back a few over a plate of nachos with friends , while the penny - cover bar atMurphsadds some ambience to this classical Irish pub .

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