The Perfect Cinco Express Crawl Route

Cinco Express is not a very laissez-faire situation.

Well… it is. But if you don’t have at least a loose game plan, you’re going to blink and realize you’ve been at the same bar for three hours while the rest of Philadelphia is already on round six somewhere else.

The goal is to ride the wave without getting stuck too early, and here’s how to actually do that.

Start in Rittenhouse Before It Gets Wild

Kick things off around Rittenhouse with Tradesman’s, BRU, or Finn McCool’s. Here, drinks are flowing and your group is still intact (for now).

From there, you’ve got a tight loop with Misconduct, Cavs Rittenhouse, Drinker's, and Garage Rittenhouse. Everything is close enough that you don’t really need to think too hard about the next move. It’s just: finish drink → step outside → next spot.

Then comes Ladder 15, which is basically the unofficial signal that Cinco Express has officially started. You’ll feel the shift immediately.

Keep It Moving or You’re Done

This is where people mess up.

You find a good bar… you get comfortable… and suddenly you’re not crawling anymore. Gasp – you’re parked. Don’t do that.

Spots like Top Tomato, VINYL, and Lucy’s are perfect because they keep you moving. They’ve got energy and quick drinks, but this might also be where your group starts to fracture a little. Some people disappear, a few more people join. 

Lean into it. That’s Cinco.

The Reset You Didn’t Know You Needed

At some point, you’ll need air and maybe some food. Definitely water (at least someone in your group will say it).

That’s where Liberty Garden and Liberty Point enter.

These spots are your reset without killing the vibe. You’re still outside, just not shoulder-to-shoulder fighting for a drink. It’s the perfect pause before the final stretch.

The Finish Line 

If you’ve made it this far, congratulations — you did Cinco Express right. Now it’s time to cash in by hitting the waterfront and staying there. Cavanaugh’s River Deck, Morgan’s Pier, and Craft Hall are where everything comes together with big crowds, music, open air, and that feeling that the entire city ended up in the same place.

Just make sure you get there.