Drinking in Philadelphia

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Because of a quirk in Pennsylvania's complicated liquor laws, it is very expensive and inconvenient for a restaurant to get a liquor license in Philadelphia. Therefore, many of the smaller restaurants in Philadelphia, which include many of the best, are BYOB, that is, Bring Your Own Bottle. It's a charming oddity of Philadelphia restaurants that you will grow to love. So head over to your local convenience store and pick something up, or dust off that bottle you've always been meaning to open, and have a wonderful dining experience downtown.

• Philadelphia Brewing Company produces a variety of beers. If you can't make it to the brewery (or find it in a bar) you can pick up a sampler pack (24 bottles) for around $30 at a beer distributor.
• Yard's Brewing yardsbrewing.comproduces a variety of beers, though notably Phiadelphia Pale Ale, ESA (especially if you find this in cask format), and the ales of the revolution. Historically certified beers from recipes tied to Ben franklin, Jefferson, and a porter named after Gen. Washington. Accessible via the Spring Garden Station on the Market Frankford el.
• South Street - long narrow street in Center City with filled many bars/nightclubs/comedy clubs ranging from "dive" to "respectable". Additionally, there's the "Headhouse Square" on second street just north of south st which is a quaint home to an old market (actually new market is its name) and a number of bars and restaurants.
• Penn's Landing/Delaware Avenue - Most drinking establishments are nightclubs and loud dance clubs. They are not easy to get to, so having a car helps. This area was once a large player in the nightlife scene before the explosion in nightlife in center city proper.
• West Philly - many small neighborhood bars and dance clubs, Ethiopian establishments. You'll find Karaoke, blue grass and all around nice nights.
• University City- This area has seen a dramatic increase in new restaurant and bar establishments in recent years in the areas between Drexel and 40th St., largely around Walnut St. College drinking establishments around/on Walnut, Sansom, Chestnut, and Spruce Sts.
• Northeast Philly, (95 N from Center City via Cottman Ave exit, Last stop on the Market-Frankford line, Frankford transportation center, connecting to the 66 Bus). Northeast Philly is made up of mostly Irish Catholic neighborhoods, known for pubs, bars, and after hour clubs. Frankford Avenue is home to over 25 bars from Harbison Ave. to Solly Ave. in the Northeast. Rauchet's, Coach's, The COG, Reale's, Casper's, The Last Call, The Aldine, and Tom's Pub and the venerable beer bar Grey Lodge Tavern. Great specials can be found at all of these bars. A cheap way to drink during Phillies or Eagles games is at Coach's, with a $10 all you can drink draft beer special. Paddywhacks is another popular bar in Northeast Philadelphia, located on the Roosevelt Blvd. Paddywhacks also has a location on South St. if the commute to the Northeast is too far. After hours clubs are also available in the Northeast, with the most popular club being the Yik-Yak. The Yik-Yak is open till 3AM and even later for members. The diners along Frankford Ave. are a popular after-hours spot to get something to eat, including the Mayfair Diner, The Red-Robin Diner, and The Dining Car.
• Northern Liberties, 19123. Northern Liberties is one of the most up and coming neighborhoods in Philadelphia. With recent condos and million dollar housing being built, the real estate in Northern Liberties has sky rocketed, making the scene some-what of a "yuppie" or "hipster" atmosphere. The Piazza, the newest addition to NL, is beautifully landscaped, 80,000 square foot open-air plaza with free events year-round, surrounded by three new buildings including 35 artist’s studios and boutiques, four new restaurants, 500 apartments and 50,000 square feet of office space. The Piazza is a sight to be seen in Philadelphia, surrounded by night life, restaurants, and even a bar/bowling alley, North Bowl. Northern Liberties is a great place to drink and socialize while living or visiting Philadelphia.
• Art Museum Area-includes the neighborhoods of Spring Garden and Fairmount near the Art Museum. these neighborhoods are home to a number of establishments primarily on or just off Fairmount Ave (which runs to the museum). London www.londongrill.com and Rembrandt's www.londongrill.comare both long time bars dating back a century or more, complete with tiles, tin ceilings, troughs and cater to a diverse crowd (which means attention is paid to beer AND wine as well as food). there are a number of other notable places such as Brigid's (the city's original beer bar), Belgian Cafe (sister of Monk's), St. Stephen's Green, and the ancient dive bar (with beautiful tile work) Kelli Ann's.
• Passyunk Ave-this street which runs from 5th and South to the schuylkill expressway, the former and commercial district in South Philly, has recently come alive at night with old timers such as Marra's serving wine and pizza and newcomers such as Pub on Passyunk East, Cantina, Royal Tavern, Lucky 13, two capogrio gelato shops, coffee shops,etc. Distinct sections are part of Queen Village/Bella Vista (5th to Washington ave) and Passyunk Sq (Dickinson to Snyder]. West of Broad has shown some signs of new nightlife but is largely commercial.
• Center City-technically vine to south, river to river, is home to what seems like an ever increasing number of watering holes and has become the region's premier nightlife destination. It has a number of submarkets including, but not limited to:
• Old City-This is the area that deflated Delaware Avenue. It's chock full of restaurants, bars, and clubs like Cuba Libre, Eulogy Belgian Tavern, Race St Cafe, Fork, Amada (renowned spanish bar and restaurant), National Mechanics Bank, Triumph brewpub, and many, many more.
• 13th st-once the city's red light district that was a veritable flea market from vine to pine it has blossomed into a growing nightlife destination (mainly south of market) including el Vez, Vintage wine bar, Sampan, Zavino pizza, Time absinthe, whiskey, and beer bar, the original capogiro gelato, bindi Indian fusion, Amis roman style trattoria, and many more.
• West of Broad-the city's most developed section includes the venerable Monk's Belgian Cafe, Parc restaurant on Rittenhouse Sq, Rouge, Village Whiskey, and the Oyster House and probably a hundred more.

• yardsbrewing.com
• www.londongrill.com