Nightlife
I remember when at the end of the workday, the mass exodus of commuters out of Center City would leave it an after-dark ghost town. Now you’ll find a lively nightlife offering creative cocktails, live entertainment, and ample opportunity to dance the night away.
Nightlife
It’s not unusual to hear visitors to Pennsylvania Dutch Country complain that “nothing’s open” after dark. While it’s true that many of the museums and other popular attractions close at around 5 or 6 p.m., Lancaster County is still a pretty lively place after dark. There are plenty of theaters offering everything from big Broadway-style musicals to avant-garde community and historic productions. Lancaster City and Hershey both have their own symphony orchestras. Lancaster also has its own opera company. Just keep in mind that Lancaster County is not New York and it’s not Podunk, so expect ticket prices to be somewhere in between—and often higher than you might think.
1. Landmark Theaters
City: Philadelphia, PA
Category: Nightlife
Description: Six screens.
2. Cuba Libre Restaurant and Rum Bar
City: Philadelphia, PA
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (215) 627-0666
Address: 10 S. 2nd St.
Insider Pick:
Description: With its Latin floor shows and salsa dancing after dinner hours on weekends and Old Havana ambience, you know you’ve come to the right place for rum—more than 75 varieties of it including a house-labeled brand. And what better use of rum than to make mojitos that feature fresh-pressed sugarcane juice (guarapo) and the Mexican mint-like herb called hierba buena? The Nuevo Latin menu by super-chef Guillermo Pernot is also excellent.
3. Franklin Mortgage & Investment Company
City: Philadelphia, PA
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (267) 467-3277
Address: 112 S. 18th St.
Description: If you’re tired of bartenders who just slosh your drink into a glass while keeping one eye on the game on the TV, you’re ready for this classy, clubby pre-Prohibition paragon of potables where mixology maestros fashion froufrou-free classics with respect and artistry.
4. Lucy’s Hat Shop Bar & Lounge
City: Philadelphia, PA
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (215) 413-1433
Address: 247 Market St.
Description: Two large bars with dueling DJs plus great drink specials make this one of Center City’s most popular places to party.
5. Rouge
City: Philadelphia, PA
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (215) 732-6622
Address: 205 S. 18th St.
Description: There’s no better way to pass the time: Watch the passersby on Rittenhouse Square while sipping a blueberry lemonade (don’t be fooled into thinking this is a granny drink; it’s made with Blueberry Pearl vodka) or a root beer float (the vanilla is cognac) at this hot French bistro’s sidewalk cafe. Pair your potent potable with a nice artisan cheese plate.
6. Standard Tap
City: Philadelphia, PA
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (215) 238-0630
Address: 901 N. 2nd St.
Description: A true showcase for local brews (you’ll find more than 20 of them) along with some pretty upscale tavern food such as duck confit salad and chicken pie.
7. Swann Lounge
City: Philadelphia, PA
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (215) 963-1500
Address: 1 Logan Sq.
Description: Cozy couches, baby grand piano—it’s rich, regal, and romantic. So what’s a Philly cheesesteak spring roll doing on the bar menu? Bursting a few perceptions of pretension, we presume.
8. 10 Arts Bistro Lounge
City: Philadelphia, PA
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (215) 523-8273
Address: 10 Avenue of the Arts
Description: This Ritz-y concept, credited to nationally renowned chef Eric Ripert, is about as posh as you can get, but the drinks menu is anything but intimidating. Among its “Perfect 10” cocktails ($15) you might find a heady duet of hibiscus and prosecco, watermelon daiquiri, or blood orange old-fashioned. The nibbles are top rate, too, especially the warm soft pretzel with cheddar cheese, jalapeño jam, and Dijon mustard.
9. Tequila’s Bar at Los Catrines
City: Philadelphia, PA
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (215) 546-0181
Address: 1602 Locust St.
Description: More than 75 tequila varieties give the “liquid chef” at this unassuming gathering place unlimited options to come up with creatively complex-flavored cocktails. On the way in, note the spooky yet symbolic mural in the entryway so you won’t think you’ve had too many on your way out.
10. McGillin’s Olde Ale House
City: Philadelphia, PA
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (215) 735-5562
Address: 1310 Drury St.
Insider Pick:
Description: Open since 1860, McGillin’s Olde Ale House is the oldest continuously operating tavern in Philadelphia. Over the years, the clientele has been studded with stars including Will Rogers, Tennessee Williams, Vincent Price, the Marx Brothers and, more recently, Robin Williams, Will Ferrell, and the list goes on. Despite its long history, though, this pub keeps it fresh with a wide variety of today’s best regional microbrews and imports.
11. Nodding Head Brewery & Restaurant
City: Philadelphia, PA
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (215) 569-9525
Address: 1516 Sansom St.
Description: From the easy-drinking, light-tart Ich Bin Ein Berliner Weisse to the dark chocolaty stick-around-and-sip-it-slowly grog, these micros are masterfully made.
12. Yards Brewing Company
City: Philadelphia, PA
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (215) 634-2600
Address: 901 N. Delaware Ave.
Description: The New York Times rated Yards’ Philadelphia Pale Ale as one of the best in the country. Further proof of the brewery’s growing following is the fact that it has had to move into progressively larger quarters—4 in a little over 10 years—to keep up with demand. Don’t miss the distinctive Ales of the Revolution, a collection of 3 beer re-creations based on the original recipes of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Ben Franklin. Free tours of the 100 percent wind-powered brewery are available on Saturday.
13. Manayunk Brewery & Restaurant
City: Philadelphia, PA
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (215) 482-8220
Address: 4120 Main St.
Description: If you’re a Philly native, you know that “Schuylkill Punch” has never been something that has been drunk with great relish (the name is a reference to the city’s sometimes suspicious-smelling and tasting drinking water). But these clever brew masters have given the name a new lease on life by bestowing it upon their luscious raspberry lager. Relax outside on the deck overlooking the infamous Schuylkill itself.
14. Brasil’s
City: Philadelphia, PA
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (215) 413-7000
Address: 112 Chestnut St.
Description: Pure Latin even to the salsa lessons offered for the price of a $5–$10 cover charge on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday nights. Great drink specials on those same nights.
15. Fluid Nightclub
City: Philadelphia, PA
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (215) 629-3686
Address: 613 S. 4th St.
Description: A disco-style dance club offering an eclectic mix of electronica, funk, house, soul, trip hop, trance, progressive, drum ’n bass, jungle, break beat, hip-hop, rock ’n’ roll, and punk rock.