Save up to $995 on all Oct-Dec guaranteed trips.
Trip destinations

The 10 Best Bars In Fishtown, Philadelphia

Main bar at Tír na nÓg
Main bar at Tír na nÓg | Courtesy of Tír na nÓg
Sarah Howell

Fishtown offers a rustic and unpretentious experience, where the industrial decor is the standard and the beer flow unending. Read ahead for the best bars in Philadelphia’s Fishtown.

View All Trips

Loco Pez

Restaurant, Mexican

Loco Pez plays up to Fishtown’s quirky standard. The bar holds a collection of Pez dispensers, mounted upon the wall, along with miscellaneous latin decor. The bartenders are always friendly and more than willing to offer their expertise to those wrought with indecision. Three must-knows about Loco Pez are the randomly selected $1 taco nights, the eternal tequila list, and the cash-only policy. The restaurant takes its inspiration from the taco trucks of Southern California. So, if an LA-inspired dive bar serving up tacos sounds like a winning night out, Loco Pez is your place.

El Camino

Restaurant, American

El Camino brings you the taco and margarita experience in the truly hipster Fishtown fashion. This place is decorated with beer flags hanging from the awning and has picnic table sidewalk seating outdoors. There’s also an all-wood everything interior with twinkle lights. El Camino has become a popular spot for Philadelphians. It is known for its happy hour, where cheap pitchers of margaritas are served along with endless supplies of chips and salsa Sunday to Thursday from 5 to 7pm. El Camino is always a winning choice. Happy hour is especially enticing for any and all larger groups wishing to spice up the mid-week blues and binge on tortilla chips.

Johnny Brenda's

Bar, Restaurant, American, Beer, Pub Grub

Johnny Brendas, interior
© charlie vinz
Johnny Brenda’s is one of Philadelphia’s most well-known venues for indie-rock music and nightlife. Johnny Brenda’s is bi-level, with an upstairs balcony and first-floor bar. The extensive beer menu is predominantly made up of local brews, in an effort to support the Philadelphia community. If a multi-level bar with live music and a great beer menu on tap doesn’t have you excited, the full menu offered until 1am just might. Any music or fun-loving individual should make a stop at Johnny Brenda’s when in the neighborhood – it will not disappoint.

Frankford Hall

Once again, Stephen Starr slays the restaurant game, as his Frankford Hall may be one of the best spots in all of Philadelphia. The German beer garden offers up one-liter pints of draft beer in a picnic table covered courtyard. The venue is always filled with a diverse crowd playing foosball, ping pong, or life-sized Jenga in the outer courtyard. Fire pits and heated lamps are set out in colder weather. A small bar food menu accompanies the drinks and includes soft pretzels and sausages, true to Frankford Hall’s German theme. If looking for a casual and fun night out in a large open space filled with amusing games, go entertain your inner child while sipping a pint.

1210 Frankford Ave . Philadelphia, Pennsylvania USA +1 215 634 3338

Barcade

Bar, American

Barcade bar Philadelphia
© Guy Dickinson / Flickr
Barcade is one of the original bar arcades, started by brother and friend group Paul Kermizian, Pete Langway, Kevin Beard and Scott Beard. They opened the first Barcade in Williamsburg, Brooklyn in 2004. The bar’s greatest attraction is obviously the games, so this location tends to attract a ‘gamer’ crowd. The bar and game area are separate, creating an atmosphere for those who opt out of dropping rolls of quarters into the machine for sitting and drinking from the rotating beer menu. For gamers and non-gamers alike, Barcade is a great place for switching up your night.

Murph’s Bar

Bar, Pub Grub

Murph’s bar has a reputation as an Irish dive with delicious Italian food. The exposed brick walls and penny-covered bar create an interesting, enjoyable atmosphere at this hole-in-the-wall dive. Murph’s is the type of bar where you can go, sit back, relax, and pass a few hours. The bar is a local attraction and has been around for 10 years, keeping patrons loyal with an unbeatable $2 draft happy hour. Murph’s Bar also offers live music on the weekends. In the midst of all of Fishtown’s growth, Murph’s bar stands as a neighborhood staple. It is a necessary visit for anyone with a taste for quaint and eclectic atmospheres.

Kung Fu Necktie

Bar, Pub Grub

Kung Fu Necktie is another Fishtown draft/music mashup. With dim lighting, billiards, red booths, and live music this venue is more like a scene from a movie. Since Kung Fu Necktie is a music venue as well as a bar, the crowd and atmosphere frequently change so research the performer before making your decision to go out. The venue has an area for dancing as well as the performance area and, of course, a full bar. The bar throws a funky, divey vibe and well illustrates the Fishtown culture. Be prepared for loud music, lots of dancing, and an eclectic crowd at Kung Fu Necktie.

The El Bar

Bar, Pub Grub

The El Bar offers the classic dive bar experience at an inexpensive price, making it a college age/postgraduate favorite. True to its name El Bar is located under the El Septa line and has an outdoor patio that is just as divey as the bar. The casual atmosphere attracts an interesting crowd. The El Bar staple food and drink are the can of Pabst Blue Ribbon with a shot of whiskey and the ‘Kensington happy meal’. This includes two hot dogs and a bag of chips. When heading to the El Bar, leave your card at home, because this little joint is cash only.

Lloyd Whiskey Bar

Lloyd Whiskey Bar is one of Fishtown’s newer additions. Started by Scott Coudriet along with his father and wife, the bar is a low-ceiling classy space with tasty bar bites. As stated in its name, the bar is gaining momentum due to the phenomenal whiskey selection. It has a revolving selection of more than 80 types of whiskey. With references to The Shining (Lloyd is the imaginary bartender’s name) that persist throughout the cocktail menu, this bar is a trendy hot spot for those more particular about their drinking game.

529 E Girard Ave. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania USA +1 215 425 4600

Kraftwork

Kraftwork

Kraftwork was opened in 2010 by Adam Ritter and has quickly won over the Philadelphia neighborhood. With a dedication to providing the best selection of beer from around the globe and a tasty selection of daily bites, Kraftwork offers the Fishtown experience. The Kraftwork draft menu is well-known and extensive. Happy hour is offered Sunday to Thursday from 10pm to 12am. The atmosphere is cozy. Like many Fishtown bars, it is industrial, and the exposed brick walls give a rustic feeling to the room. Any beer-loving foodie will certainly feel a strong attraction to this spot.

541 E Girard Ave, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania USA +1 215 739 1700

culture trip left arrow
culture trip brand logo

Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip

meet our Local Insider

Hanna

women sitting on iceberg

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?

2 years.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?

It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.

WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?

I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!

culture trip logo letter c
group posing for picture on iceberg
group posing for picture on iceberg

Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.

map of volcanic iceland trip destination points
culture trip brand logo
culture trip right arrow

See Our Culture Trips
landscape with balloons floating in the air

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.
X

Keen to explore the world?

Our passionately curated premium small-group trips are an invitation to connect with like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

Find Out More