The night shouldn’t start at the opening act.

If you’re heading to a concert this summer in Philadelphia, don’t just rush to the venue; make it a whole night. We’ve rounded up the best bars near Philadelphia’s most popular music spots, so you can ease into the night with a great drink and some good food.

Your birthday’s coming up, and guess what? You don’t need a group chat, a dinner reservation, or an RSVP list that no one sticks to. You just need good drinks, good music, and a place that feels like a party the second you walk in. Cue the list: these Philly spots are built for birthday nights that just happen.

Philadelphia’s slow summer days are all about escaping the hustle without having to ever actually leave the city. Well, these hidden courtyards are serving just that, where the spritzes are cold, and the crowd is just right.

Think you’ve hit every happy hour worth your hangover? Think again. Philadelphia’s bar scene is constantly changing, and lately, a new crop of spots has been popping up with enough personality to shake up your weekend routine. These bars are fresh, fun, and bringing new energy to the city’s already stacked lineup.

Philadelphia’s got a beer scene that punches way above its weight. You probably won’t be hard pressed to find bars serving up your hazy IPAs, your crisp lagers, or, my personal favorite, a tart sour, but it’s nice to know that you don’t need to venture outside the city to hit a full brewery crawl. Here are our current favorites for your next hop-fueled route, full of breweries pouring fresh beer within Philly proper.

Some nights, you just want a drink without screaming over bass drops, or having to dodge spilled beers, and without fighting for space at a packed bar. We get it. So if you’re not in the mood for a party — but still want to hop around with friends — this crawl is for you.

So you forgot to make a reservation. Or maybe the group hang turned into a “just us two” kind of vibe. Whatever the reason, you’re scrambling to pull together a date night that doesn’t scream thrown together at 6 PM. Here are our favorite last-minute date ideas that feel effortlessly cool without seeming effortless:

Not every great night needs a dress code or a velvet booth. Sometimes, you just want to dance in a packed room or vibe with strangers who suddenly feel like friends. The kind of night that feels a little like college, but with better drinks.

Your zodiac sign might not dictate your whole life… but it can definitely help you figure out where you belong on a night out in Philadelphia. We paired each sign with a nightlife spot that speaks your language. Scroll to find out where the universe wants you to be sipping tonight.

Pregaming before first pitch, toasting a win, or venting a loss. There are countless reasons to hunt for the perfect place for pre/post Phillies game beverage. Citizens Bank Park is fun on its own, but it’s even better when you’ve already had a couple rounds with your crew and don’t have to pay $15 for a beer. Here’s where to drink nearby, downtown, and even a few gems that Phillies fans love no matter the score.

Close your eyes and picture palm trees, frozen drinks, and zero responsibilities. Now open them because Philadelphia has bars that bring the vacation vibe without the plane ticket. If your PTO is running low but your summer mood is fully on, these spots are here to deliver umbrella drinks, dreamy views, and full escape energy right in your backyard.

You’ve hit happy hour, downed your $7 cocktails, snacked on half-price apps, and now it’s 7 PM. The sun’s still out, your group is feeling good, and there’s no way you’re calling it a night. That can only mean one thing: it’s time to keep the party going.

Okay, is the sun on vacation? Because this rain has been nonstop. Soggy socks, cancelled plans, and the kind of weather that makes you question whether whatever you’re about to do is really worth it. But just because the skies are stuck on “moody” doesn’t mean your social life has to be.

If you’re climbing the walls and desperate for something fun to do that isn’t staring out the window like you’re in a sad music video, we’ve got a few ideas in mind.

Here’s how to enjoy Philadelphia, rain or not.

Making new friends, or flirty “what are we?” connections, in your mid-20s is weirdly harder than it should be. You’re too old for frat basements, too young for wine tastings with strangers, and no one wants to feel like they’re in an awkward networking event with cocktails. So…where do you go to experience meeting people that actually feels natural? These Philadelphia bars make it super easy to mingle.

Start your engines, Philadelphia, for real racing vibes, no driving skills required. The highly anticipated F1 Arcade is opening next week at 13th and Chestnut, and it’s bringing an entirely new kind of nightlife experience to the city. F1 Arcade takes the heart-pounding excitement of Formula 1 racing and drops it into a futuristic, neon doused lounge where the bar is just as important as the finish line.

Philadelphia’s cocktail scene is having a moment, and we’re here for it. With so many inventive takes on classics to bold, unexpected flavor combinations, these are the drinks you need to sip on ASAP.

Philadelphia is a city that lives and breathes basketball, especially when the NBA Playoffs roll around. Regardless if you’re a die-hard Sixers fan (even if that’s been tough this season) or just in it for the buzzer-beaters and beer specials, Philadelphia’s sports bars deliver quite the game night experience. 

Philadelphia’s nightlife can act as a time machine to your favorite music eras. With nights dedicated to genres that span 90s hip-hop throwbacks to disco fever dream dance floors, this city knows how to throw a themed party. Here’s where to relive the best beats of every decade and vibe.

You conquered the Cinco Express bar crawl. You danced, you drank tequila that may or may not have been necessary, and your phone’s camera roll is already a little concerning. But now it’s getting late, and the energy’s still high. Good news: Philadelphia’s Mexican bars aren’t done partying either.

We love a margarita — truly, we do. But some of us hit our salt and sugar rim limits and never looked back. If you’re planning to hit the town this Cinco de Mayo and you’re not exactly a “blended mango marg with a sugar rim” kind of person… we got you.

Philadelphia’s going all out this Cinco, and so are we. Cinco Express, our signature bar crawl, is rolling through the city on Saturday, May 3rd. But before you get wristbanded and wild, you’ll want to know what to order once you pull up to the bar.