Philadelphia, better known as Philly, is Pennsylvania’s largest city and is filled with rich history to discover. From the Liberty Bell to the Independence Hall, these iconic sites will take you back in time to the founding of the United States. Not only is Philly a city with a rich history, but it is also a city with amazing food. From the refreshing water ice, to the world-famous Philly Cheesesteak there is something for you to try. Oh, and cue the music, you can’t forget to take a picture with the Rocky Balboa statue. Along with these, you don’t want to miss out on Philly’s nightlife.
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Best Philly Nightlife Attractions: Chills, Thrills, Grills & More!
Philadelphia is an exciting city, especially at night. Whether you love gaming or Virtual Reality, or even board games, the city has it all. On top of that, Philly is the Live Music and Craft Beer Capital. So you can’t visit Philly without touring a brewery or listening to some live jazz. The variety of international cuisine will blow you away. Check out our list of some of the best nightlife attractions in Philly!
1. Barcades, Board Games, Virtual Reality & Axe Throwing in Philly
Philly nightlife is filled with fun barcades. So what better place to go, than to the place with the actual name Barcade. You can try your hand at some old-school nostalgic Donkey Kong or Pac-Man as you drink your favorite beer. Or maybe you’re more the competitive type, and say “get over here!” to one of your friends as you beat them in a game of Mortal Kombat. If you are a fan of vintage games, then this is the place for you.
These days, many places allow you to experience old-school arcade games, but few allow you to experience the new technology of virtual reality gaming. The best place for you and your friends to go is The Holodec. They have two options in the VREX, the seated Roto Chair, and the fully immersive Virtuix Omni. While you’re waiting for your turn to try out the VR, you can also hop on a console and choose from their library of hundreds of games. This is the perfect place for you and your friends to have a great evening of gaming!
If you love your board games, then Thirsty Dice is the place for you. It has Philadelphia’s largest board game selection of over 800 games and is renowned for being the city’s original game café.
You can play Monopoly, Yahtzee, Checkers, Chess, Sorry and a lot more. They have party games, strategy games, classics, and new releases. On top of that, they have a 16-line draught that offers local beers and ciders, and much more! It is truly a unique experience.
Finally, the last kind of game experience you shouldn’t miss out on in Philly is Axe Throwing. Think of it as darts, but instead of throwing a dart at the target you throw an ax! Although it sounds simple, it will provide a uniquely fun challenge and experience! One of the best places to enjoy this unique but satisfying game is Urban Axes. Many other places are offering this same experience as it has become a growing and popular nightlife activity.
2. Live Music Experiences in Philly
Live music is the soul of Philadelphia and, therefore, one of the best Philly nightlife attractions. No matter what your favorite genre is, you name it, and they got it! Philly offers jazz, rock, pop, rap, and everything else. Philly is the city where Jay Z hosts his Made in America Festival. So you can imagine how important live music is to Philly.
If you love jazz, the place to go is Chris’ Jazz Café. It is the longest continuously operating jazz club in the history of Philadelphia. It has hosted some of the biggest names in jazz, and in the acclaimed Downbeat Magazine, it is said to be one of the top jazz venues in the world! While a normal evening will cost roughly $60, it will come with a 3-course meal of soulful southern cuisine along with drinks. Although a little more on the pricey end, this truly is the place to go for a genuine jazz experience.
If you love music and want a place that hosts a variety of genres and has a great atmosphere then Union Transfer is the place. It is very affordable, with a great variety of shows to choose from. The venue is small enough for an intimate show where you can go right up to the stage and watch or, if you prefer, you can simply grab a drink and enjoy the music from the balcony.
There is so much to explore in Philly when it comes to live music that when your trip ends you will have just scratched the surface of what it has to offer.
3. Craft Beer & Brew Trails in Philly
When you are in Philly, you need to go on one of the many craft beer and distillery tours. It’s one thing to just drink your beer, but it’s another to learn about the complexity and intricacies of how it’s made.
Before the prohibition, the city was a hub of beer and whiskey producers. However, since then, the scene has shrunk a lot. But lately, many distilleries and breweries have reopened their doors after the 2011 government reforms.
If you only have time to visit one distillery, you should go to the New Liberty Distillery. They have all kinds of whiskeys, kinseys, import collections, and limited releases. You can visit their Courtyard Cocktails to enjoy tastings of some of the best whiskeys every night starting from 7 pm. This is a can’t-miss destination to add to your nightlight itinerary.
Philly is one of the most famous beer cities in the world. If you’re wanting to try some unique craft brews, then Imprint Beer Co. is the place to go. This is not just a beer factory; it is home to beer creativity. And there is a surprise twist; they don’t just offer uniquely crafted beer but also coffee. You can head to their Hartfield Tasting Room for some unbelievable tastes you will find nowhere else. This is a must-go destination for all beer lovers.
4. Philly Nightclubs & Dance Venues
No nightlife is complete without dancing, and Philly’s is no exception. Although the city is filled with dancing venues, we have compiled a sampling of the best Philly nightlife dancing spots for you. The top place to go for a complete nightlife extravaganza is Silk City.
The place hosts some of the best DJs in town, such as AMH, Lean Wit It, HBK, etc. They have an expansive dinner and beverage menu for you to choose from. If you are on a short trip, you get everything you want under one roof.
If you want to experience a taste of Vegas in Philly, check out NoTo. The name has an exciting hidden meaning. NoTo stands for ‘Not of the Ordinary,’ which is precisely what it’s like if you visit this place. This is an upscale and trendy venue, always packed with a fantastic crowd. It has had some amazing events in the past involving Lost Kings, Jonas Blues, Sabrina Carpenter, and many more.
However, there is a dress code, pre-reservation requirement, and 21+ age limit. So make sure you meet all the conditions before heading to the venue. Check their website for events calendar and ticket prices.
5. Late Night Eats & Restaurants in Philly
If you value eating fresh food and want to enjoy an authentic farm-to-table meal, then you should check out Talula’s Garden. You can start by trying some of the artisan cheese or the garden salad, and for an entree, order some delicious pizza or risotto!
On top of that, the place offers the freshest seafood along with several varying side dishes. It also provides many great options for those who are vegan or vegetarian. If you want a meal to remember, remember to visit Talula’s Garden on your next trip to Philly.
How about a slice of Mexico on your Philadelphia plate? El Vez is the place to be. From nachos and salsa to guacamole to grilled lobster tostadas to shrimp quesadillas. You will be leaving here desiring more authentic Mexican cuisine!
Their beverage menu is as expansive as the food menu. They have margaritas, cocktails, sangrias, cerveza, wines, and coffees. If you want to explore the best of Philly nightlife, it’s best not to do it on an empty stomach. Visit El Vez and give your tummy the delight it deserves.
The last place on our comprehensive Philly food nightlife guide is Sampan, the Asian cuisine heaven. From baos to dumplings to samosas, you have it all here. The place is a mini Southeast Asia right in the middle of Philadelphia. Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, you have your pick of every cuisine in this restaurant. The name itself means completion, and after a meal at this place, you will leave confident that it stays true to its name.
Wrapping Up the Best Philly Nightlife Attractions
We have thoughtfully curated the best Philly nightlife attractions for you. We hope these will help you plan your upcoming Pennsylvania road trips better. Philly nightlife steals the show, be it its multi-cuisine dining vistas or unlimited distilleries, or unique concepts such as board game cafes, the options are endless.
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