Top Bars and Cafes in Philadelphia

Finnigan's Wake

Finnigan's Wake is an enormous Northern Liberties facility that boasts of three bars, a huge dance-floor and spectator area. The raucous, unpretentious patrons (generally in their mid-20's to late 30's) come to soak in traditional Irish music and contemporary Rock. For those who would rather enjoy their Guinness in relative peace, the second floor Quiet Man's Pub has one large bar and ample tables for mingling, enjoying the Irish folk music and nibbling on Irish tavern-style appetizers. Take a peek in the gift shop brimming with Irish delights. Special events like birthday parties and bridal showers are accommodated here as well, with the catering and other arrangements taken care of by the management.

The Bayou

The Bayou seems to be more of a gutted townhouse than a tavern. The first floor ceiling, covered by pinned-up dollar bills, hovers over the 40-foot bar as barkeeps distribute their potables. Upstairs, a smaller bar room also purveys drinks at reasonable prices. Beer, wine and spirits are served with appetizers, sandwiches and munchies. Yuengling bottles (a popular local beer) are a good bargain. In season, they have a special on Maryland crabs by the dozen.

Bishops Collar

This Art Museum-area bar provides a warm, cozy atmosphere and an inexpensive, creative pub fare menu with original dishes like Turkey London broil sandwiches. You also can't beat the ever-changing selection of microbrews, 20-oz. pints of Guinness & Bass and a great juke box. Relax outside with a drink and your favorite cigar or sip a beer or wines by the glass inside as you enjoy music and a good time. Live music most weekends.

Mahogany on Walnut

'One step into Mahogany on Walnut and you realize that this is not your average cigar bar...this is the genuine article', says Cigar Aficionado. Dark, rich wood and plush antique furnishings create the perfect atmosphere to relax and enjoy one of the 30 premium cigars. A state-of-the-art ventilation systems keeps the two club rooms smoke-free. A lighter fare menu is served from noon through late night. Some selections include stuffed portabella mushrooms, pheasant pate, oysters Moscow and Beluga caviar. The grand mahogany bar is stocked with premium cognacs, wines, microbrews and more than 40 single malt scotches.

The Bards

The Irish bartenders in town always talked about football and beer. These days they talk more about bandwidth and modem configuration, but they still know their beer. Caffrey's, Murphy's, Harp's and some of the local micro brews are on tap. There's usually six Irish whiskeys waiting. If you'd like something with your beer, there's a great Atlantic Seafood Chowder. The Bards also offers Irish stew, burgers and four kinds of boxty, an Irish dish of mashed potatoes flavored with shrimp, leeks, chicken, etc.

Ludwig's Garten

If you are looking for mouth-watering German-Bavarian Cuisine such as spatzle, wursts, schnitzels and strudels, you should stop by Ludwig's. This German restaurant, just off of Broad Street in Center City, has a cozy and genuine atmosphere. Owned by an Austrian native and featuring a German chef from Heidleberg, you can't find more authentic German food in this area. Another treat is the beer garten, featuring a wide variety of German beers.

O'Hara's Fishhouse

O'Hara's Fishhouse restaurant has been a favorite landmark in West Philadelphia's University City District for over 20 years. O'Hara's Fishhouse offers a full line of fresh seafood and the popular BBQ baby back ribs, fresh chicken wings and charbroiled steak. Home of the All-You-Can-Eat special ever Sunday (ribs and wings), Monday (crab legs) and Tuesday (shrimp). The Happy Hour is 5-7pm Mon-Fri, featuring complimentary hors d'ouevres. Live entertainment from local jazz musicians Thurs-Sat (Friday music starts at 6pm). Wed, Karaoke. Sunday, DJ.

Moriarty's

Located up the street from the Forrest Theater and numerous hotels and residential buildings, locals and theater patrons favor this pub for a draft after work or a show. The Irish bartenders (and they really are from Ireland) pour drafts of Harp and Guinness under a collection of Playbills from the local theaters. Friday happy hours are very popular.

Pizzeria Uno Chicago Grill

This Chicago-based chain managed to break into the saturated Philadelphia pizza market with their brand of deep-dish pie. Part of the allure of their pizza is the use of chunky tomatoes in the sauce instead of the thinner Philadelphia version. Not in the mood for pizza? Try a delicious sandwich or fantastic pasta dish. Satisfy your sweet tooth with a slice of hot apple pie or piece of NY cheesecake.

Pod

If they built a sushi bar on the space station from 2001: A Space Odyssey and Austin Powers stopped by with Derek Flint and James Bond, this is what it would look like. The motif is all white and translucent plastic, with colored lights and flat screen monitors all over. When you sit on the cushions in the lounge area, they light up. There are 16 possible light settings in the private cubicles (parties of six only). The wait staff is dressed in plain gray t-shirts. Techno and lounge music play softly. Even the bathroom cubicles are futuristic, in the sense that they use airline fixtures in a cramped space. The sushi bar has a conveyor belt running around the edge, with little clear plastic cups of sushi traveling around. Or you can get it the traditional way, at a table, served by a waiter. An assortment of sashimi for four, but probably won't be enough, which is good because then you can order more things from the lengthy menu.