Philadelphia Bars That Feel Like a House Party

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.

Via Ortlieb’s Instagram

El Bar (Kensington)

Under the El tracks and full of rowdy energy, El Bar feels like a backyard party with bartenders. It’s where you end up when someone suggests “one more round” and suddenly it’s 2am and you’re swapping stories with strangers over a picnic table.

Ortlieb’s (Northern Liberties)

Ortlieb’s houses a former jazz club turned divey hangout with live music, open mics, and a crowd that’s down for anything. You walk in for one beer and end up in a backroom show yelling “encore!” with people you just met.

Via Dahlak’s Instagram

Dahlak (West Philly)

At Dahlak, you’ll find a half Eritrean restaurant, half dance floor free-for-all after hours. The drinks are strong, the backroom is packed, and you’ll never leave without at least one story. It’s been a West Philly favorite for a reason.

McGlinchey’s Bar & Grill (Rittenhouse-ish)

One of the cities last indoor smoking bars, here you’ll find friends squeezed into booths like it’s a college apartment party. McGlinchey’s feels like the dive your older cousin used to sneak into, and it hasn’t changed since.

Still figuring out your party personality?

Check out our Breakdown of Philly Nightlife by Zodiac Sign to find out exactly where your star chart says you should be drinking. Spoiler: it’s wildly accurate.