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Nightlife Philadelphia has a lively nightlife scene. Much of it is centred on dining out, for the city boasts a wealth of top restaurants – from the best of world cuisine to local specialities, such as cheesesteaks, hoagies and ethnic foods. A range of music is on offer every night of the week, although the city is especially known for great jazz and blues. South Street, between Front Street and Seventh Street, is a trendy nightlife area, with comedy clubs, jazz and rock clubs. Other popular nightlife spots can be found on Columbus Boulevard, along the Delaware River, around Penn’s Landing. The legal drinking age in Pennsylvania is 21 years and bar closing time is 0200 daily. Drink prices vary widely according to venues, although prices are generally between US$3.50 and US$5. There are no particular dress codes or admission requirements in Philadelphia – these too tend to vary depending on the establishment. The main daily newspapers containing nightlife listings are the Philadelphia Inquirer and the Philadelphia Daily News. Entertainment listings can also be found in the free publications – City Paper and Philadelphia Weekly – and Philadelphia Magazine’s Going Out Guide. Bars: Bar Noir, 112 South 18th Street, is an underground bar with great cocktails and vintage movies. The Irish Pub, 1123 Walnut Street, is a great spot for good beer and Irish tunes. The Artful Dodger, on Head House Square, is fashioned after a traditional English pub and offers entertainment at weekends. Dave & Busters, 325 North Columbus Boulevard, Pier 19 at Penn’s Landing, is a popular sports bar, with billiards and electronic games. Liberties, Second Street, north of the Old City, is smart, comfortable and decorated with antiques. Mahogany on Walnut, 1524 Walnut Street, in the Rittenhouse district, is a dark and plush cigar bar. Casinos: Gambling is illegal in Pennsylvania. Clubs: Brazil, 111 Chestnut Street, is a hot salsa and reggae spot, while Polly Esthers, 1201 Race Street, favours 1970s disco, as well as 80s favourites upstairs in the Culture Club. Shampoo, Seventh Street and Willow Street, has four levels of various music styles to choose from. Egypt is a huge waterfront nightclub on Columbus Boulevard, hosting hip-hop and techno nights, while KatManDu, 417 North Columbus Boulevard, Pier 25, and Rock Lobster, 221 North Columbus Avenue, Pier 13-14, are open seasonally. KatManDu plays a variety of music from rock to reggae, while Rock Lobster is aimed at an older crowd and plays mostly rock ‘n’ roll. Live music: Two of the hottest clubs in Philadelphia are Warmdaddy’s, an upmarket club at 4 Front Street, with the best of live blues, and Zanzibar Blue, 200 South Broad Street, where top jazz musicians perform. Chris’ Jazz Cafe, 1421 Sansom Street, and Ortlieb’s Jazzhaus, Third Street and Poplar Street, are also good venues for live jazz. Pontiac is a venerable South Street rock club featuring live local bands. |
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