The nightlife
in Philly is a pleasant mixture of big city excitement and the quaintness
of a small town. Many establishments close at 2 AM, unless otherwise noted.
If there is nothing noted about cover charge or dress code, please call
before going.
Also, we recommend subscribing to the free UrbanPhilly.com
weekly newsletter. It is packed with events catering to young, African
American professionals. For salsa lovers, we have included a list compiled
by Nana Smith, one of our third year students who has won prizes in salsa
dance competitions.
Comedy
The Brick Playhouse
623 South St.
215-592-1183
Improvisational comedy finds home here the first Friday of each month.
Check their web site for other events.
Catch a Rising Star
211 South St.
215-440-3131
Shows are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 8:30 pm., on Friday and
Saturday at 8:30 and 11pm., and on Sunday at 8:30pm. Cover charge is
$8 on weeknights and $10 on weekends. Features rising stars from Comedy
Central.
Comedy Sportz at the Playground
2030 Samson St.
1-877-98-LAUGH
www.ComedySportz.com
If you like TV's "Who's Line is it Anyway?" then check it
out. Each show is a competition between two teams of act-electees who
are vying for the most laughs from the audience. The entire show is
improvised based on audience suggestions. Shows are at 7:30 and 10 pm
every Saturday night. Tickets can be purchases at the door for $12,
$10 with student ID. If you are bringing someone who is not a student,
print out and bring the $2 E-coupon from the website.
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Club and Music Scene
Egypt
520 N. Delaware Ave.
215-922-6500
www.egypt-nightclub.com
Open Tues (in summer), Fri, Sat, and Sun, Egypt is a large club with
three floors featuring House, Disco, Pop, Dance, and R and B. Jeans
are not recommended, and final dress-code decisions are made at the
door.
Brasil's
112 Chestnut St.
215- 413-1700
Brasil's features reggae/Caribbean music on Thurs, Latin music on Fri,
and Brazilian music on Sun. There's no cover and free Salsa lessons
on Wed. During the winter, the club features a range of live artists
Voted "Best Latin Club" in Philadelphia magazine's 1997 "Best
of Philly."
The Five Spot
1 Bank St., btw 2nd & 3rd Sts.
215-574-0070
This restaurant/bar offers Swing, Latin, or House music depending on
the night of the week. Great live Swing and Latin bands; covers vary
based on bands playing, call for more information. Food can be pricey.
Atmosphere is in the style of an old speakeasy lounge.
Club 27
27 Bank St., btw 2nd & 3rd Sts.
215-922-3020
Open Wed (college night: $1 draft with college ID), Thurs, Fri, and
Sat, Club Envy offers a variety of music including house, hip-hip, and
funk depending on the evening.
Silk City Lounge
5th and Spring Garden Sts.
215-592-8838
This little club attached to the American Diner is a great place to
let loose and hang. Dress, along with clientele, is random. The club
features lounge, acid jazz, swing, and other music, drawing live acts
about once a week. Open all night Friday through Sunday.
Fluid
613 S. 4th St.
215-629-0565
One of the most successful and popular clubs/bars in the area. Cover
between $3 and $10 depending on guest deejays. Open from 10pm-2am.
Shampoo
7 Willow St.
(just S of Spring Garden)
215-922-7500
For guest list: 215-922-1234
Massive house/techno/hip-hop club in an old warehouse in Northern Liberties,
has at least 3 dance floors including one outdoors with a hot tub; also
has a large and funky downstairs which is not always open. Roughly $10
cover. Dress to impress on Thurs-Sat. nights.
Polly Esther's and the Culture Club
1201 Race St.
215-851-0776
Really a combination of 3 clubs - Swinging 70's, Culture Club 80's,
and their newest, Club Millennium DVD - Polly's $5-$10 cover charge
is a deal (no cover Thursday). Still can't picture Karenna Gore Schiff
stumping there, though. Philly’s only retro dance club, with four
bars and free city parking across the street after 8.
Pegasus
38th and Chestnut Sts.
215-382-1201
Formerly the illustrious live music club the Chestnut Cabaret, this
ever-evolving space in West Philly seems to have settled on Pegasus
– a hip-hop, roots, reggae and soul club that offers DJ nights
(great freestyle sessions) and live music. Gill Scott-Heron, Les Nubians,
and local luminary Beanie Siegel have all played this funky, medium-size
venue.
Warmdaddy's
Front and Market Sts.
215-627-2500
Good southern homestyle cooking at this joint. The $8 cover charge is
waived with the purchase of dinner. Dinner served from 5:30pm –
1 am. Warmdaddy's just opened in 1995 and is already a huge favorite;
usually you'll find it quite full of people, jamming away. Open mike
night is worth checking out. Reservations are recommended.
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Nana Smith’s List of Clubs
Brasil's
2nd and Chestnut (on Chestnut)
Mostly salseros/as on wed; good music (mostly salsa); talented dancers.
On weekends, more mixed Latin music and some hip-hop. Can get crowded
but very fun
Cuba Libre
2nd and Chestnut (on 2nd)
Beautiful building w/ large French doors opening to street in summertime.
Salsa show at 11:30 and 12:30 on Fri. and sat with dancing. Many beginners
and a mix of music that makes it fun for non-salseros.
Tierra Columbiana
In North Philly; good on Fri and Sat. Elevated dance floor, more like
a stage so not good for people who don't want to be stared at. Spanish
speaking for most part. Only Latin music (salsa, merengue, bachata,
etc.).
Rock Lobster
221 N Delaware Ave
(215) 627-7625
Outside dancing on Sundays in summertime only w/ live band. Dance floor
gets crowded.
Stardust Ballroom
Rte 73 & Haddonfield Rd
Pennsauken, NJ 08110 (You need a car to get there)
Has big Latin dance on Saturdays (twice a month I think). Huge dance
floor and really the largest collection of good dancers in one spot.
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Brewery/Pubs
Dock Street Brewing
18th and Cherry Sts.
215-496-0413
If you're looking for imports, or other rare microbrews, this is not
the place to go. Dock Street sells only the beer that it produces. Each
glass of carefully prepared ale cost around $2.50. Six varieties to
choose from. Live music on Fridays, and Saturdays.
Fergie's Pub
1214 Sansom St.
215-928-8118
Quieter alternative to McGillan's; muted but eccentric decor, bands
play upstairs.
Irish Pub
1123 Walnut St.
215-925-3311
Open nightly until 2am. The Irish Pub offers good beers in 2 convenient
locations. Food is served and lively Irish tunes are played.
McGillan's Old Ale House
1310 Drury St.
215-735-5562
Huge, loud, wood-paneled downtown bar, located on a decrepit alley (off
13th St. or Juniper and between Chestnut and Sansom), serving cheap
pitchers to hordes of 20-somethings. Upstairs room is quieter. On Wednesday
and Friday nights, there is karaoke, which is always a blast.
Monk's Cafe
264 S. 16th St. (at Spruce)
215-545-7005
Wood-paneled Belgian brewhouse, serving an unparalleled variety of international
beers, also has surprisingly quality food but can become smoky and loud
later in the evening. The mussels are highly recommended.
New Deck Tavern
3408 Sansom St.
215-386-4600
Close to school and full of students, this place is fun nonetheless.
Wed night Quizzo is a particular favorite; go early to secure a table
for your trivia team.
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Old City Bars
Continental Restaurant and Martini Bar
138 Market St.
215-923-6069
The flagship of the hip Old City bars, featured on MTV, full of well-dressed
young people who sip cocktails beneath lamps shaped like martini olives.
The back room is less pretentious.
Panorama
14 N. Front St.
215-922-7800
Offers over 120 different types of wine. This elegant wine bar is at
the back of the Penn's View Inn.
Paradigm
239 Chestnut St.
215-238-6900.
Chic Old City bar with a candlelit decor. Don't miss the glass doors
in the unisex bathroom.
Society Hill Hotel
3rd & Chestnut Sts.
215-925-1919
Less pretentious then many of its Old City brethren, caters to a more
mellow crowd among a host of Christmas-tree-esque lights.
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Entertainment
Dave + Buster's
325 N. Columbus Blvd.
Pier 19 North
215-413-1951
A 70,000 square foot "Chuck E. Cheese for adults" located
on a huge pier just north of the Ben Franklin Bridge on Delaware Ave.
Features billiards, shuffleboard, a ride simulator theater, a giant
arcade with every imaginable video game (esp. sports), and a bar and
restaurant overlooking the bridge.
Jillian's Entertainment Complex
1995 Franklin Mills Circle
(north end of mall complex)
215-632-5770
After you're done shopping your brains out, it's time to relax. Jillian's
offers billiards, neon bowling, dining, and dancing - almost as many
options as the mall itself.
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Gay-Friendly Clubs/Lounge/Bars
Bob and Barbara's
South St. between 15th and 16th
215-545-4511
A neighborhood bar with a Drag Show every Thursday night beginning at
11 pm. Though small, the club attracts a young college crowd, usually
mixed gay and straight. The show is done on a postage stamp sized stage,
and all over the bar, when the performers leave the stage to lip synch
in your face. It's funky, it's fun, and the special is a shot and a
beer for $3.
Bump
13th and Locust Sts.
215-732-1800
Newest addition to the Gayberhood, Bump is a Lux Lounge that serves
dinner until 9PM in a space modeled after Pod (complete with space age
bathrooms). Nice outdoor garden and patio is perfect for sipping martinis.
Bike Stop
206 S. Quince St.
215-627-1662
Described as a leather bar.
Sisters
1320 Chancellor St.
215-735-0735
The premier Lesbian Club in Philly, with a downstairs lounge and bar
that hosts a Buffet-Karaoke Nite every Thursday. Upstairs Dance Floor
open each night and Sunday Brunches served at noon.
24th Ward
204 S. Camac St.
215-732-4377
Private after-hours dance club.
Shampoo
7 Willow St.
(just S of Spring Garden)
215-922-7500
For guest list: 215-922-1234
Philly's Premier Dance Club that hosts Gay Night every Friday, called
Shaft Fridays. Lower Level contains 1 bar, a lounge, and a dance floor
and spins Latin and Hip Hop music. The Upper Level contains 5 bars,
2 dance floors, and an outdoor Groove Garden (open in the summer) and
spins Dance and Disco Music. Check out www.shampooonline.com for special
parties and promos.
Tavern on Camac
243 S. Camac St.
Bar with karaoke and casual, relaxed atmosphere.
12th Air Command
254 S. 12th St.
215-545-8088
Bar and night club with 3 levels of disco fun and a newly opened SKY
LOUNGE (roof top patio and bar). Popular Drag Show every Thursday night.
Two-Four Club
1221 St. James St.
215-735-5772
Private after-hours dance club with 4 Bars, 3 Floors, and 2 Dance Floors.
Opens at 9PM and serves drinks until it closes at 4AM. Any member can
bring as many guests into the club as they would like and the cover
($15) is well worth the dance floor, drinks, and FUR LOUNGE downstairs.
Woody's
202 South 13th St.
http://www.woodysbar.com
215-545-1893
Flagship of Philly's Gayberhood, with 3 Bars, a huge Dance Floor, and
Grill that serves coffee and light fare. Woody's is the "Cheers"
Bar of the LGBT Community, with Karaoke Nite Mondays, College Nite Wednesdays,
and always packed Saturday Nights.
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