The Best Places in Philadelphia for a Bachelor Party Weekend

Located on the square, The Rittenhouse Hotel is filled with old-school glamour and charm. Hotel rooms are spacious and elegant, measuring between 450 and 600 square feet with stunning marble bathrooms and plush beds with pillow-top mattresses and duvets. Specialty features include overnight shoe shining and spa packages. Although the stay is pricey, the fine dining at their Lacroix Restaurant is well worth the splurge. The Rittenhouse is classy, sophisticated, and the perfect place for a gentlemen’s weekend. Relax in the atrium pool, sip some whisky while watching live jazz in the Library Bar, or eat authentic, Italian at Scarpetta. The on-site barber shop will shape you up for a night out, and the fitness center will help you sober up in the morning.

Don’t be fooled by the word ‘chain’ – Tony Luke’s is a South Philly institution, churning out one of the best cheesesteaks in the city. Splashed in red and white, Tony Luke’s is sticking with an old-school theme: order from the counter, have a seat at one of the picnic tables, and dig into a heaping pile of thinly sliced ribeye steak (100 percent USDA Black Angus), copious amounts of Cheez Whiz, and sautéed onions on a freshly house-baked Liscio’s roll. Drip factor achieved.

Fette Sau in Fishtown is a must-see, Brooklyn-inspired BBQ. The refurbished picnic tables give the restaurant a casual communal atmosphere, the floors are cement and the ceiling made of exposed beams. To maintain the casual ambience, Fette Sau does not accept reservations, so be prepared to wait. Meats from the menu are sourced locally and smoked in-house, giving the newest Stephen Starr restaurant real authenticity. Order the smoked Deviled Eggs, and wash them down with a buzzed-about Manhattan during Happy Hour.

The Midtown locale El Vez offers Tex-Mex inspired cuisine in a colorful and fun atmosphere. The brunch menu boasts dishes like the Mexican waffle with shaved Mexican chocolate and hot chocolate sauce, or savory options like the sea bass tacos. Keep an eye out for their cocktails; try their bloody Mary with habanero-infused silver tequila, bacon and a chipotle blend.

Located above Holt’s Cigar Company, the second-story Ashton Cigar Bar boasts an extensive list of 330 whiskeys and over 100 bourbons and ryes, along with the single-malt scotches and international blended whiskey drinks. Cocktails use fresh, local ingredients, and it’s also the only bar in Philadelphia that is legally allowed to host cigar smoking, so most of the drinks are paired with smoky tastes and environments. Intact with air purifiers, this bar won’t leave anyone irritated if they don’t like the smoke. The knowledgeable staff here will help you with a selection of over 200 cigars to perfectly pair with your drink. The attire here is upscale and business casual. This sleek and modern bar will be sure to impress visitors as well as locals who are looking for finer tastes.

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.

Just a few blocks north of Chinatown, is the whisky go-go bar The Trestle Inn. The hip joint features burlesque dancers and themed dance nights, ranging from funk to jazz. The bar is also known for its fantastic whiskey drinks. Patrons choose from a list of several beers and a massive scotch, bourbon and blended list. For a sweet, tangy drink, go for the Black Power, or the Highland Whiskey for a smooth apricot finish. Happy hour features $2 off whiskey sours and drafts, as well as $5 cocktails with a single mixer from 5 p.m.–7 p.m.

This upscale nightclub is one of the best places to party in Philly. Guests will find multiple bars and dance floors, as well as a VIP lounge. The club hosts DJs from around the world who bring an energetic, highly-danceable vibe to the club. Rumor is a hotspot for the younger crowd, and offers bottle service and professional dancers. They are known to host events and offer special attention for birthdays and other celebrations.

This underground dance bar focuses on music and good vibes instead of bottle service and a dress code. They offer low-key cocktails, draft beer, and an artistic light setup. One of the highlights is the 20-person ball pit which takes guests back to the fun of their youth. Concourse is viewed as a meeting ground between old-school music and a high-tech dance floor, childish play and adult drinks. They throw a dance party and happy hour on Fridays, and play ’80s and ’90s music on Saturdays. The club even hosts dance parties on Sundays to finish the weekend off on a high note.

Located along the Delaware River waterfront, Morgan’s Pier is an outdoor club and beer garden. It can be found right below the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, which is the perfect backdrop both at night and during the day. The pier has been rated one of Philadelphia’s top bars, and it is buzzing with guests both day and night. They often throw BBQs during the day, and bring DJs in during the evenings. They have a renowned chef serving up shrimp and crab rolls, Italian roast pork, and Whoopie Pies with passion fruit cream filling. During the day, the place is packed with Philadelphians getting day drunk while watching the cars zoom across the bridge. In the evenings, the music is thumping, cocktails are being poured, and the Ben Franklin Bridge is beautifully lit up in the background.