Tap House is for shmoozing, Blarney’s is for athletes and Smoke’s is for Kweder. Go against the grain and get your booze fix elsewhere.
FIUME
Fiume has a special rule at the bar that you are only allowed to order pre–prohibition drinks. Want a whiskey sour? Well, too bad, because that drink was created in the ’60s. Go for the gin–based Boulevardier instead. The cherry on top: on Thursday nights, a bluegrass band performs in the corner of the divey, living room–sized bar.
Location: 45th and Locust Streets, above Abyssinia Ethiopian restaurant Happy Hour: Unlisted Try: The citywide special (a cheap PBR and whiskey combo). In a Nutshell: Come as you are, but bring cash.
DRINKER'S WEST
With its ping pong tables and flat screen TVs constantly playing different games, Drinker’s West knows what it is: a college bar. Though rarely a hub for Penn undergrads, Drinker’s clientele is young, fun and looking to blow off some steam. That change of pace can be a welcome one—made even sweeter by the remarkably low odds of bumping into last Wednesday’s Smoke’s DFMO.
Location: 39th and Chestnut Streets Happy Hour: 5:00–7:00 p.m. Try: The $4 Soco and lime shots. And the fish tacos. In a Nutshell: Like hanging out in your best friend’s basemen, but bigger and with a better alcohol selection.
LOCAL 44
Less for the coed and more for the connoisseur, Local 44 hosts a vast selection of beers that put Natty Light to shame. The atmosphere is laid back, as are its servers, and the Sunday night Quizzo is one of the best in the area. More than that, Local 44 is far enough off campus to escape Penn without having to hail a cab.
Location: 44th and Spruce Streets Happy Hour: 5:00–7:00 p.m. with a special Bottle Shop happy hour on Mondays from 6:00–8:00 p.m. Try: One of the bottle beers (they carry over 500 different kinds). In a Nutshell: When keg beer won’t cut it, go Local.
