The 5 Best Philadelphia Bars

1. Grace Bar

The Grace Bar is the quintessential neighborhood bar, but you're welcomed with the same friendliness whether you're from around the block or across the country. It's one of the five best Philadelphia bars, whether you want cold beer or are seeking stronger spirits.

The beer selection evolves with the season, and the whiskey selection is surprisingly broad. The burgers, served with blackened green beans, are a must-try at this Philadelphia bar, as they're well known as some of the best in town.

2. Dirty Frank's Bar

Dirty Frank's is one of the five best bars in Philadelphia, and it's a place with a history. Two weeks after Prohibition ended in 1933 it threw its doors open and hasn't slowed down since. 

The décor is random, the vibe is familiar, and it's even dog friendly, so don't be alarmed if you see plenty of neighborhood pooches joining their owners for a visit to one of Philadelphia's best bars.

3. Dark Horse Pub

The Dark Horse Pub is a traditional Irish bar that lives up to its name, with a dark, wood-lined labyrinth that leads to multiple bars and dining areas. It has an Old World flair that makes it one of the five best Philadelphia bars. The sports bar area is wildly popular during televised events, and the atmosphere gets decidedly rowdy.

Dart lovers will appreciate the boards in every room. For the full experience in this gem among Philadelphia bars, enjoy some authentic fish and chips with your brew.

4. Sugar Mom's: Like drinking in your mom’s basement, but better

Sugar Mom's is a true dive bar in every sense of the word. It has that dark and vaguely grimy feel that lets you know it's not a slick hipster place.  The vibe is more like you're hanging out in a friend's basement rather than one of the five best Philadelphia bars, although you're actually in the basement of an old sugar refinery.

Sugar Mom's trademark is classic video games, foosball, and rickety pinball machines that make you feel like you've been transported back to an 80s arcade.  Or maybe that should be a carnival, since you can chill in an old bumper car or other ride seats. The playful atmosphere makes Sugar Mom's one of the five best Philadelphia bars.

5. 12 Steps Down: 3 shots ups

12 Steps Down, in South Philly, is one of the five best Philadelphia bars because it's an unpretentious place where people gather to drink and socialize. You'll find a relaxed neighborhood crowd here, and plenty of cold brew, mixed drinks, and bar food. Sure, it looks like a dive in its dark, below ground location, but take a chance, hop up on a battered stool, and you'll discover that it's truly one of Philadelphia's best bars and a place for some lively “ground therapy” among friends.