By: Jamie Gibson

Turning 21 is an exciting time. It’s the age when we can finally partake in our city’s nightlife (legally). Whether you’re looking for clubs, pubs, or activity themed spots, Philly has a lot of options for places to go on a night out. There’s a place for everyone. Here are some places I have enjoyed since turning 21.

Photo from @liberteegrounds on Instagram

Libertee Grounds - 1600 W. Girard Ave.

A fun mix of games, food, and drinks in Northern Liberties. The upstairs is a restaurant that has food that’s a fusion of typical American and Pan-Asian cuisine.They have both indoor and outdoor seating. Downstairs has a bar and an 18-hole mini indoor golf course. It’s a Philly-themed course, so there’s a lot of fun iconic Philly imagery and art. They host watch parties, too; right now they have Eagles day watch parties every Sunday. This was the first bar I went to after my 21st birthday, as they were screening the “Love Island USA” finale in July. I even won a free minigolf pass for voting for Amaya and Bryan in their raffle.

Good Dog - 224 S. 15th St.

Good Dog is a three floor restaurant and bar in Center City. It has an old-fashioned, laidback charm. They have framed pictures of dogs on the first floor. Go there earlier in the day if you want to try their food. Their Good Dog burger is supposed to be very good. If you’re going there later at night, you should head to the second floor bar and the third floor for its pool table. They serve draughts, wine, cocktails and mocktails in a $7-14 range.

Lucha Cartel - 207 Chestnut St.

If you’re tired of going places and seeing people stand on their phones and not actually dancing to the music, you should check out Lucha Cartel. Lucha Cartel is a Mexican restaurant in Old City. From 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights, the restaurant operates as a dance club. This place is great if you are into Latin music. I think people try to gatekeep Lucha; I first heard about it because my friend invited me because she’s friends with a DJ who was playing there on a Friday. I had a lot of fun dancing with my friends and some strangers.

Mr. Ivy - 459 N. 3rd Street.

Mr. Ivy is a club located in Northern Liberties. They are open from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. The interior has a traditional club feel with an avant-garde style. On Fridays they host their “signature show,” featuring cirque and burlesque accompanied by DJ Sets. On Saturdays, it functions more as a regular club with DJ sets and events. They also host celebrities. Leon Thomas performed there in April, and the night I went, Fivio Foreign was there. Drinks fall in the pricier $9-25 range. Their cover fee is usually $20-25 but you can RSVP online for a ticket that gives you free admission before 11 p.m. You can get cute photos in the pink neon archway in the entrance.

Tradesman’s - 1322 Chestnut St.

Tradesman’s is a sports bar and restaurant in center city. They are open from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. from Friday to Sunday. I recommend going here on a Friday night. After 10 p.m. on the weekends, it operates more like a club. It’s two floors, it has this woody, exposed brick, rustic vibe. If you want to dance around to good ‘music everybody knows’ music or attend a Philly sports team watch party, you should check this place out. Drinks range from $6-$16. I really like how this bar is surrounded by other bars that many other students and younger adults go to. Also, my favorite part, there’s no cover charge.

Woody’s - 202 S. 13 St.

Woody’s is a Queer bar and club in the Gayborhood. It’s open until 2 p.m. everyday. The ground floor has a bar and a dance room. There’s a couple of dance rooms upstairs both having their own DJ booths. I usually just go straight upstairs when I go. There’s a lot of colorful strobe lighting in the dance rooms. Their cover fee varies but is usually $15 from Thursday to Saturday and free entry Sunday to Wednesday. Admission also gives you a wristband for discounted entry to a neighboring club, Voyeur. This is somewhere to go if you’re with a good group of friends who just want to dance. One of the upstairs rooms has two static dance poles on the sides of the DJ booth if you want to practice being a midnight ballerina.

Maxi’s - 1926 Liacouras Walk

I have to mention the campus bar. Maxi's in the heart of campus on Liacouras Walk. Many of us have gone there to get their $3 slices after class. When you turn 21, you can finally enter the bar. Throughout the week they host events such as quizzo, beer pong, and karaoke, and offer prizes to winners. They’re open from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. There are DJ sets some days on the weekend. They always offer specials throughout the week, with my favorite being the five dollar Dirty Shirley on Thursdays.

Pub Webb - 1527 Cecil B. Moore Ave.

Another Temple classic, Pub Webb is open from 3 p.m. to 2 a.m. Tuesday to Friday and 12 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Saturday. There are three sections of the bar. The main area with the counter, table seating, and the Touch Tunes machine. The second room has a pool table, more seating, and usually some sports games on a projector. You have to pay two dollars per game, but it is free all day on Taco Tuesdays. Behind the pool room there is an outdoor area. It’s really nice out there; there’s a mural and it’s a good spot if you need some fresh air or want to have a conversation without surrounding noise. They offer weekly specials and are known for their 75 cent wings on Thursdays. They have DJ sets on Wednesday and Thursday in the second room.

I recommend going to Maxi’s and Pub Webb on Thursdays, as Thirsty Thursday/Pub Thursdays is when these bars draw in more people and are the most lively. Going to the campus bars is a good way of meeting other Temple upperclassmen and are good meeting spots if you’re meeting up with other students at a club or party.

Tips:

Bring your ID: Philly bouncers, especially downtown, will check
Know how you’re getting home before you go out
Stay with your group
Go to pay-what-you-can house parties
Use the Temple shuttle (see schedule on TransLoc app) or Temple Escort Service if you’re coming back late from a bar or party near campus
If a club offers free entry before a certain time, try getting there before that time

If you’re going anywhere with a cover charge, always drink before! Have fun but try to be as economical as possible
Go to happy hours if you’re looking for a deal and make sure to go to Philly SIPS events next spring and summer!

A great thing about Philly is that there is always something to do. You will likely find something new just from walking around the areas of some of my recommendations. Being at Temple, we’re pretty close to a lot of the city’s nightlife. Visit some of these places with your friends. Be safe and have fun!

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