The Best Bars On Philadelphia's South Street

Philadelphia’s South Street and its surrounding district are known for its rowdy crowds and vibrant activity. Read ahead for our guide to know where you’ll find the most lively and relaxing atmosphere with great specials.

1. Tattooed Mom

Bar, American

Downstairs in the main bar, you’ll find a room fit for absinthe fan Oscar Wilde’s dreams. Upstairs are graffiti’d walls, a pool table and another bar making Tattooed Mom a must for a fun and casual experience. They have tasty and fun cocktails, such as the pink puss or the David Lynch lemonade. Fantastic food specials include Taco Tuesdays.

2. The Twisted Tail

Bar, South American, BBQ, Pub Grub

Located right off South Street (but still where the action is), The Twisted Tail is a bourbon and whiskey bar with occasional live music upstairs. Their Happy Hour hosts six cocktail specials. Bartenders make expertly crafted cocktails and offer a dinner menu stocked with comfort foods like crawfish mac n’ cheese.

3. Bob & Barbara's Lounge

Bar, American

Anyone is bound to have a great time at Bob & Barbara’s. Home of the $3 PBR Citywide special, Bob & Barbara’s hosts an in-house jazz band and drag shows on Thursdays nights. A great dive bombarded with PBR memorabilia on the walls, the cheap drinks and dancing are popular staples among locals.

4. Xochitl

Bar, Restaurant, Mexican, Dessert

Xochitl serves fun and tasty Mexican drinks at its bar. During Happy Hour patrons can enjoy reasonably-priced house margaritas. Their guacamole is a great complement to the drinks and dessert is definitely worth trying too.

5. Brauhaus Schmitz

Restaurant, German

Reminiscent of a German beer hall and restaurant, Brauhaus Schmitz serves around 30 taps from German brewers and has many imports from Germany on its 100-bottle list. Barmaids (in traditional outfits during festivals) serve you liters in beer mugs and there’s a traditional German menu of soft pretzels and bauernwurst. Brauhaus Schmitz themselves have multiple exclusive breweries whilst also serving many German beers that are brewed in its small home town.

6. Manny Brown's

Bar, Wine Bar, American, Pub Grub

If looking for solid bar food and plenty of draft options, then Manny Brown’s is a perfect spot. Check out Happy Hour on weekdays for half-priced drafts and domestic bottles. Manny’s is also great for groups, who can enjoy their beer towers. Any bar that serves Southern Tier’s Creme Brûlée on tap probably knows what it’s doing.

Jet Wine Bar

With an extensive global wine list and and flavorful appetites, Jet Wine Bar is perfect for a nightcap. The intimate Meditterranean style is great for outings with friends or intimate dates but if you’re looking for some more fun, they also offer quality cocktails. If on a budget, check out the house wine and be sure to keep an eye out for their Tasting Tuesdays and events throughout the year to learn more about wines from the bartenders.
Address & phone number: 1525 South St Philadelphia, PA 19146 215-735-1116

7. Grace Tavern

Bar, Pub, American, Pub Grub

Original and ornate 1930s tin-pressed ceilings and beautiful architecture make this venue sophisticated yet casual. Grace Tavern is located in a quiet area right off South Street and average drink prices are cheap. Their menu includes tasty items like the blackened green beans that you can eat-in or order out. ©Tom Ipri/Flickr

The Good King Tavern

Also featured in our list of best cocktail bars and best restaurants in Queen Village, The Good King Tavern is located just a half block away from South Street. Their cocktails are divine, with two house cocktails and seven classics. It’s one of the best places you’ll find cocktails in the city. The flirty rustic French decor gives this place some serious glamour and the food menu is worth trying too.
Address & phone number: 614 S 7th St Philadelphia, PA 19147 215-625-3700

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.