experience your philly

You conquered the Cinco Express bar crawl. You danced, you drank tequila that may or may not have been necessary, and your phone’s camera roll is already a little concerning. But now it’s getting late, and the energy’s still high. Good news: Philadelphia’s Mexican bars aren’t done partying either.

We love a margarita — truly, we do. But some of us hit our salt and sugar rim limits and never looked back. If you’re planning to hit the town this Cinco de Mayo and you’re not exactly a “blended mango marg with a sugar rim” kind of person… we got you.

Philadelphia’s going all out this Cinco, and so are we. Cinco Express, our signature bar crawl, is rolling through the city on Saturday, May 3rd. But before you get wristbanded and wild, you’ll want to know what to order once you pull up to the bar.

If Cinco de Mayo had a personality in Philadelphia, it would be loud, glittery, slightly tipsy, and running late for the next bar. If you’re the kind of person who thinks, “This is my Super Bowl” when someone says “bar crawl,” congrats — this one’s for you. Philadelphia is fully booked with bar crawls this year. Some are chaotic. Some are delicious. One is ours (hi, hello), and yes, it’s the one you should absolutely build your day around if we do say so ourselves.

You did it. You ran ten miles straight down Broad Street. Your legs are toast, your playlist is a little played out, and your medal is shining. There’s only one thing left to do: grab a drink (or three) and celebrate the sweaty glory that is the Broad Street Run.

You might be hobbling to the finish line or sprinting straight to brunch, but either way, here are some of our favorite Philly spots to toast your post-run triumph – all walkable or a quick ride from the stadiums:

Once Cinco de Mayo rolls around, we, as a society, clear our schedules, text the group chat, and make a whole weekend of it.

Scores of sombrero-ed Philadelphians flood the streets, the drinks hit a little harder, and the tacos somehow taste even better. Taco-stuffed bar crawls, margarita tours, high-energy dance floors, and even a few events that make you feel productive before the tequila kicks in are on the roster this year. It’s a choose-your-own-adventure vibe, and all roads lead to good times.

Though it feels like spring plummeted rather than sprang these past few weeks, indeed spring it is. And with that comes the grand reopening of the city’s beloved beer gardens. If you’re just as ready to swap your winter woes for some hoppy highs as I am, here are five spots that promise to at least give you at least concepts of those springy feelings.

Not everyone’s into bottle service, strobe lights, and elbowing their way through a packed club just to hear the same remixes you’ve been hearing for the past 10 years. And that’s okay — you can still catch a vibe, break a sweat, and dance without stepping foot into a “club” club.

Philadelphia’s got a place for the rest of us: divey discos, indie DJ nights, and neighborhood bars where the playlist always hits. Swear – these places deliver, no dress code required.

If Gritty and Ted Lasso opened a bar together, it might feel a whole lot like Lion Bar — Chinatown’s latest contribution to the sports bar scene. Lion Bar is the newest go-to for soccer-obsessed, Philadelphia sports diehards, and people who just want a pint, a booth, and a reason to yell at the TV. This place is very sports bar centered, but with flavor — a mix of Premier League pride, Philadelphia sports grit, and fans who all brought their jerseys and opinions.

First Fridays usually bring to mind Olde City gallery-hopping and some wine sippage. Olde City galleries – we love you, but this Friday, it might be time to flip the script. If you’re over the whole stand-awkwardly-at-a-bar-while-pretending-you-love-vodka-sodas-and-praying-for-a-good-DJ scene, I have a better idea. Every First Friday, SPIN turns into the kind of party where you can sip something tasty, challenge someone to a ping pong match, and lose gloriously. 

Ditch the heavy coats, grab your sunglasses, and start sipping in the sunshine. Maybe it’s the vitamin D, maybe it’s the socially acceptable excuse to start happy hour at noon – but there’s just something about a daytime drink that rocks our world. Either way, we’ve rounded up the best bars in the city for a solid day drinking session.