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.

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. 

That post-work exhale hits so much better when there’s a discounted drink in hand. Philly’s happy hour scene delivers no matter what your particular needs are for that day – celebrating a long day, catching up with coworkers, or sometimes just in need of a hard earned cocktail.

The Erin Express is back, and this year, we’re getting the kind of perfect drinking weather that makes a beer taste even better—warm weather, sunshine, and a whole lot of bar-hopping ahead. But with 30 bars, multiple check-in spots, and thousands of people trying to drink their weight in beer, the key to surviving (and thriving) on this crawl is having a solid game plan.

Philadelphia, raise your pint glasses and thank the beer gods, because this Saturday’s Erin Express is serving up 70 degrees, sunshine, and ice-cold drafts—all with a side of outdoor drinking. That’s right, this year’s crawl isn’t just about keeping your Guinness count up, it’s also the unofficial kickoff to patio season.

Here's your big update for Erin Express! We have now confirmed our 30 bar partners for this Saturday's Erin Express with some notable additions for 2025 including Uptown Beer Garden’s first opening day of the year!

If you think the Erin Express is all about crowded Irish pubs and traditional pints of Guinness, we’ve got news for you. Sure, we love a good Irish pub as much as the next person, but sometimes you’ve got to mix it up. This St. Patrick’s Day, check out these six unexpected places along the Erin Express route – you’ll be glad you did.

St. Patrick’s Day is creeping up fast, and if you’re gearing up for Philly’s illustrious Erin Express Bar Crawl, you need a game plan. Bar crawls are a blast, but trust me—if you don’t pace yourself, you’ll be the one asking strangers for a piggyback ride by noon. Here’s how to keep the party going without crashing and burning.

Look, St. Patrick’s Day in Philadelphia is essentially a marathon of green beer, Tullamore Dew, and convincing yourself that Guinness is a food group. But between cover charges, overpriced drinks, and that inevitable 2 AM cheesesteak run, it’s way too easy to wake up the next day with a financial hangover on top of the real one.

Good news? You don’t have to be rich to rage. Here’s how to have an incredible St. Paddy’s Day in Philadelphia without your bank account hating you the next morning.

When St. Patrick’s Day rolls around, Philadelphia goes all in. It’s kind of like the Super Bowl of drinking holidays—except with more green, way less coordination, and absolutely zero personal space in any bar within city limits. Walking down any street and you’ll find bars serving up Guinness like it’s water and you’ll hear Dropkick Murphys at least 20 times before midnight. Here’s where to drink in Philadelphia this St. Paddy’s Day.

Okay, so let’s talk Irish coffee—because it just doesn’t get better than caffeine and whiskey in one perfectly cozy, slightly boozy cup. We’re gearing up for St. Patrick’s Day and craving a little pick-me-up, and Philadelphia has plenty of spots serving up a mean Irish coffee. We did the very important research (you’re welcome), and here’s where you can get the best of the best.

The Super Bowl is one of the biggest food days of the year, and Philly is packed with top-notch takeout options to make your game-day spread unforgettable. Whether you're looking for wings, cheesesteaks, burgers, or vegan platters, these top spots have you covered.

Valentine’s Day is creeping up, and we think a romantic cocktail bar with a dreamy date or an anti-Valentine’s night out with your ride-or-die. No boring dinners or cliché roses here—we’re talking candlelit booths, skyline views, and drinks that will make your heart swoon.

We’ve all had that one night where a few too many cocktails gave us the sudden confidence to belt out “Don’t Stop Believin’” like we were headlining Madison Square Garden. And I get it—sometimes you’re that person at the bar who thinks you’re a diamond in the rough waiting to be discovered by a record label exec who’s lurking nearby. That’s what karaoke nights in Philadelphia are for: bad singing, feel-good vibes, and memories that leave you cringing and laughing the next day.

Let’s set the scene for a moment. It’s 1:45 a.m., we’re middle of the dance floor, the DJ’s dropping bangers, and suddenly it hits us: Philadelphia clubs start shutting down at 2 a.m. sharp. Tragic. But hold up—this is where the real fun starts. Not ready to go home? Same. Let’s talk about the spots where the night doesn’t end when the clock strikes 2. You down? Cool, let’s go.

Okay, you guys. It’s January 17th. Those of us doing Dry January—congrats, we’ve hit the halfway point! It’s full steam ahead until February 1st, which, BTW, falls on a Saturday (the universe has our back). But here’s the thing: just because you’re skipping the booze doesn’t mean you have to skip the fun. Philadelphia’s nightlife scene is packed with mocktails so good, you might just keep ordering them when February rolls around.

When you think of Old City, iconic cobblestone streets and historic landmarks may come to mind—but did you know it’s also home to some of Philly’s best nightlife? Beyond the well-known bars, Old City offers unique, under-the-radar spots that mix live music, themed cocktails, and dance floors that come alive at night. If you’re ready to shake up your usual plans, here’s where you need to go: