This article is part of 34th Street's  Philadelphia, Curated issue. Click here to see more of our favorite spots from all over the city.

Frat parties are fun and all, but if you're ever looking to get off campus and shake it out, make sure to bring this list with you. It doesn't matter if you're more into moshing or boogie, we've included a theme night and venue for everyone's taste.

The Barbary  

Photo provided by The Barbary


Self–described as Philadelphia’s “#1 alternative nightclub,” The Barbary is Fishtown’s dancing darling, complete with rotating theme nights and a disco–lit dance floor. Think of it as a no–frills, dive–like warehouse where you (and a lot of sweat–drenched strangers) can shimmy off your cocktails with either the downstairs or upstairs DJ. The Barbary may be considered somewhat of a hipster hangout, but it hosts a diverse range of musical artists, from The Stammer to all boy/all girl. The bar is cash only, and it can get a little rowdy, but if you’re looking for a place to let loose, The Barbary should be on your list. 

Price Range: Cover: $5–$10 | Events: $7–$10 

Address: 951 Frankford Ave

Hours: Mon–Sun: 10 p.m.–2 a.m.


Cuba Libre 

During the week, Cuba Libre is Old City’s charming, Havana–inspired restaurant and rum bar. Come weekend, Cuba Libre transforms into a Latin nightclub, with sultry beats, spicy moves (and a professional photographer). Fridays and Saturdays are dedicated to Latin fusion in every sense of the word. If you’re feeling fancy, you can even reserve bottle service online. Come before midnight for discounted cover, and make sure to dress to impress—you just might end up on their website. 

Price Range: Cover: $10 

Address: 10 S 2nd St.

Hours: Fri–Sat: 10:30 p.m.–2 a.m.


The 700

A haven for sports fans and dance fans alike, The 700 is a bar and club known for its various identities, with different themes for each day of the week. The downstairs is the perfect place to grab a beer and catch a soccer game, while the upstairs has a DJ that spins tunes on what used to be a bathroom counter (with a real toilet seat next to it!). You can mingle with regulars as you clamor for the bartender's attention at the cash–only bar. Maybe it’ll remind you of a frat party, but nostalgia has a special place here when you can guzzle cheap drinks and shout to be heard over haphazardly placed coffee tables, couches, and other random pieces of furniture. Occasionally The 700 hosts special events, but you can also call to reserve the upstairs for your own private party. 

Price Range: No cover | Drinks: $5–$10 

Address: 700 N 2nd St.

Hours: Fri–Sat: 10:30 p.m.–2 a.m.


Concourse Dance Bar

The main attraction at Concourse may be the ball pit, but germaphobes can still find a reason to stay at this newly opened Rittenhouse nightclub. Stepping into Concourse is like taking a trip back to the '90s—as soon as you plunge down the slide (!!!)  into the venue, you’re hit with strobe lights on a sprawling dance floor that hosts TGIF parties every Friday and throwback '80s and '90s on Saturdays. Thursdays are for rotating guests DJs and other special events. There’s no bottle service, but if you’re feeling fancy, you can head upstairs to the lounge area or call to inquire about private parties. 

Price Range: Cover: $5  | Drinks: $5–$10 

Address: 1635 Market St., back entrance 

Hours: Fri–Sat: 8 p.m.–2 a.m.

Mon–Thurs*: Closed 

*Open occasionally on Thursdays for events.


Franky Bradley's 

A bar dominates the center of the first floor of Franky Bradley’s, and if you’re in the mood to drink and chat with friends, you’ll have ample space. But if those beers start to get to you, head upstairs to dance (and sweat) your heart out next to the DJ booth. On weekends, the line sometimes snakes around the corner, but it moves fast and mingling with your neighbors is one way to find a new dance partner here. Who knows, maybe you’ll find someone to try out the happy hour menu (grilled flatbread, fries, meatballs, and more) with next time. Various DJs and live music events drop by, so keep an eye out on the calendar for tickets. 

Price Range: Cover: $5  | Drinks: $5–$15 

Address: 1320 Chancellor St.

Hours: Bar and club open Mon–Sun: 5 p.m–2 a.m. 


Liaison Room  

On the second floor of Fishtown’s Front Street Café sits Liaison Room, a “nightclub, performance space, party space, and event venue.” There’s a private bar featuring Front Street’s signature (and very strong) cocktails, and the space hosts local bands and party series such as Wonderlust. They also are home to resident DJs and musical acts. RSVP to one of their many Facebook events if you want your friends to know that you found Liaison Room before it got cool. 

Price Range: Cover: $5  | Cocktails: $7–$11

Address: 1253 N Front St.

Hours: Front Street Café, where Liaison Room takes up the second floor, is open Sun–Thurs: 7 a.m.–12 a.m., Fri–Sat 7 a.m.–2 a.m.


Raven Lounge

This four–story, Edgar Allen Poe–themed Rittenhouse haunt has much to offer, so be still your tell–tale heart. You can play twister, dance on a stripper pole, listen to live music or a comedy show, or dance to your heart’s content. Switch between floors when you get tired, and sit out from the dance floor to play a board game when your feet get a little too tired. There’s no shortage of music or activities, and the cheap drinks will keep you going all night long.

Price Range: Cover: $5 

Address: 1718 Sansom St.

Hours: Mon–Fri: 5 p.m.–2 a.m.

Sat: 6 p.m.–2 a.m.


Morgan's Pier 

Some days, you just want to drink outside. At Morgan’s Pier, you can do just that along the Delaware River Waterfront with a picturesque view of the Ben Franklin Bridge. The place is nominally a beer garden, with beers from local breweries like Philly hipster haven Evil Genius and the Downingtown’s Victory. For those not so inclined to hops, the menu features cocktails and wines. With a full menu of upscale bar snacks as well as flatbreads, sandwiches, seafood, and sweets, you can make sure to stave off that messy, fall–into–the–river level of drunk. Saturday “daylong DJ’s” start at 1 p.m. and go well into the night, with Philly DJ Xtina being the current headliner. Be on the lookout for special events like “Emo Night” on Sunday, Sept.  23. But make sure to go soon: Morgan’s Pier is a summer–only shindig. 

Price Range: Cover: $5  | Beers: $4–$7 | Cocktails: $8–$10 

Address: 221 N Christopher Columbus Ave.

Hours: Weekdays, 4 p.m.–2 a.m. | Weekends, 11 a.m.–2 a.m.  


Dolphin Tavern  

The Dolphin Tavern is home to every viral dance event that’s popped up on your Facebook News Feed. It’s a place of drunken legend, with Holy Trinity dance parties (that’s a night where they only play Nicki, Beyoncé, and Rihanna, mind you), Joy Division raves, and throwback rap nights. The narrow club is walled with light–up tiles and has the perfect amount of crowdedness to make you feel like you’re in a packed it–club. The drinks come in no–frills plastic cups, the lines can get long (especially on popular event nights), and there’s a 75% chance your bouncer will look like Crocodile Dundee. But the music is bangin’, the crowds are fun, and the mood is always debaucherous. All the elements of a perfect night out with the pals.

Price Range: Cover: $5  | Drinks: $3–$8

Address: 1539 S Broad Street

Hours: Wed–Sat: 9 p.m.–2 a.m.