In this guide · 5 sections
Philadelphia's gay bars all sit in the Gayborhood, right on and around 13th Street in Center City. They're so close together you walk between them in minutes. The scene's smaller than New York or Chicago, if you just count numbers. But the density makes it feel like a real neighborhood, which is rare for American cities where gay bars have spread out or just closed.
The bars here don't stick to one style. You'll find sports bars, neighborhood pubs, dance clubs, and places for a leather or bear crowd. They're all within a few blocks. The main thing is they're genuinely gay bars, not just gay-friendly. That makes a difference in the atmosphere.
13th Street
The stretch of 13th Street between Locust and Spruce has the most bars. The rainbow-painted crosswalks and street signs make it clear what kind of block this is. On weekend nights, from about 9pm, the street gets social. People move between bars and hang out on the sidewalk if the weather's good. It's not as big or loud as Hell's Kitchen in New York, but it has a local feel that Manhattan often misses.
Side streets like Locust, Spruce, and Sansom add more places a short walk away. You can easily do a full circuit on foot without hitting the same spot twice.
What to expect
Drinks in Philadelphia cost less than in New York or Washington. Expect to pay $8-14 for a cocktail, which is standard for Center City. Some older bars still have lots of beer options, and those prices are cheap compared to other big cities. Some places charge a cover on weekend nights, especially for special events.
Bars in Pennsylvania close at 2am, earlier than cities like Chicago or New York. This means you need to plan your night. Show up after midnight and you'll only get an hour before last call. Most people arrive between 9pm and midnight.
During Pride and OutFest
Philadelphia Pride in June turns the Gayborhood into a week-long party. Bars get packed and stay open later if their licenses allow it. OutFest in October is a street festival on 13th Street that completely changes the neighborhood for a weekend. Both are worth planning a trip around, but be ready for the bars to be much more crowded than a normal weekend.
The bars
- Concourse Dance Bar — Concourse is in the middle of Philly. It's currently a temporary, safe sensory experience. Guests go through three rooms that wake up your senses: the Art Room, Fire & Ice Room, and Light & Sound Room.
- Stir Lounge — This bar is great, the staff is great, everything's just great. They're all accommodating, attentive, and make sure you're taken care of. Both our bartenders were outstanding (Amelia especially!). The owner always makes sure everyone's having a good time.
- U Bar — If you want the gay "Cheers" in Philadelphia, try U Bar. Almost everyone knows your name, but they're friendly even if they don't.
- Warehouse on Watts — Warehouse On Watts is a mixed-use space just off the developing North Broad Street Corridor. This grassroots event space has an authentic Philadelphia grit. It contributes to the changing neighborhoods around it. Inside, there's a community of small businesses and artists who give the building its soul. Due to the pandemic, they aren't accepting pub.
Practical notes
Pennsylvania law means bars close at 2am. Get there by midnight if you want a proper evening, not just last drinks. Cash is helpful at older bars that charge covers or only take cash, though most now accept cards. 13th Street and the surrounding blocks are safe at night. For the full Philadelphia picture, see the Gay Philadelphia Guide.