Are you looking to discover the best bars in Philadelphia?
Then we have you covered!
On this page, you’ll find the official shortlist of all the bars in Philadelphia. (More in-depth further below). And, each with why it’s best to go.
Feel free to check out each bar’s official profile to find out more and to find out which is best for you.
We’ve also created separate shortlists for each genre you might like to visit on your time out.
Furthermore, you can get on the guest list or book a table with bottle service on some of the more exclusive bars. We are happy to help you out with either.
1. Smokey Joe’s Tavern Philadelphia
Smokey Joe’s is known as “The Pennstitution” having remained the Premier UPenn Bar since their establishment in 1933. Located in Philadelphia, Smokey Joe’s Tavern is the happening restaurant where locals go to dine, drink, and socialize. Their menu features dishes assembled from the freshest ingredients, sure to bring bold and inspiring flavor into your life.
2. Lair KTV | Sky Club Philadelphia
Lair KTV is located on Arch Street 2nd floor, Philadelphia, United States. Sky Club is the premium karaoke lounge located in the heart of city center, Philadelphia. Sky Club opened its doors to the public during the 2019 holiday season. Prior to its grand opening, the space went through extensive renovations that began during the summer of 2019.
3. Ray’s Happy Birthday Bar Philadelphia
If you’re looking for a friendly dive this is the place. Good times, cold drinks, and great friends. This is a colorful pub, open since the 1930’s has an oak & title bar with a trough running along its base. Capture the essence of Philadelphia at this bar. Ray’s is a bar in Philadelphia that opens at 7:00 am everyday of the week except for Sunday, when Ray’s bar opens at 9:00 am. This is to say that Ray’s is a bar for locals who are serious about drinking, whether they be South Philly old-timers or service industry hipsters, or people from out of town who like to drink in such places.
4. Locust Rendezvous Philadelphia
Great local hole in the wall bar of Rittenhouse! Hidden spot favored by locals and priced much lower than any other centre in the city. Locust Rendezvous Bar is an unpretentious, wood-paneled watering hole with craft-beer options, weekly drink specials, and bar food. Locust Rendezvous has always been to make all their customers feel welcome and it’s a perfect dive bar. You’ll find when you go there regularly that there are many familiar faces. Locust Rendezvous is a bar’s bar, no theme required. Just a place to come in and get lost for an hour or two. An electric mix of theatergoers, students, suits, and construction. Their customers come from far and wide, remembering the great service, comfortable atmosphere, and reasonable prices from their first venture through their front door.
5. Dirty Franks Philadelphia
It’s Dirty Frank’s! What more is there to say! It’s one of the best places to get quick lunch or dinner with beers. Dirty Frank’s is a pleasant little dive bar! Cash only corner bar filled with electric knickknacks hanging from the ceiling and local art. The best bar in Philadelphia is Dirty Frank’s if you love dives. The bar’s exterior is decorated with mural famous Franks. It has been in business since 1933 and Frank’s regulars call this bar an Institution, with some irony, but it does have grudge style as well as housing the Off the wall gallery. Cute unique little place with fun vibes.
6. Oscar’s Tavern Philadelphia
An example of a dive bar! Great bar to drink and just unwind! It’s an old-school haunt dishing up pub grub & cocktails amid red booths, wood-paneled walls & a jukebox. Nice local bar in the middle of center city. If you’re visiting Philadelphia and you’re reading this, there’s a good chance that you’re staying at a hotel in the center city. If so, head over to Oscar’s. There is a delightful irony to the fact that, in order to escape the gaping maw of the city’s corporate hellmouth, one must step through a bright red door into a long, windowless room cast only in red light and slide into a (ripped) red vinyl booth.
7. Bob & Barbara’s Philadelphia
Funky, artsy, down to earth and always fun! This is the perfect mix of dive bar, cheap drinks, and live music. Beer, wine & cocktails to go. Serving cold beer, cocktails, and live entertainment since 1969. Opened by Robert Porter and Barbara Carter, Bob & Barbara’s Lounge has been a south staple all through. It’s an interesting electric traditional South Street bar with occasional live entertainment.
