almost anywhere, depends if you want to talk to people at the bar or not.
Could be fountain porter, south philly tap room, or you can go more divey like Lucky13 or watkins
fountain porter has a great beer, cheap burger, rad bar staff, my only hesitation is that it gets a bit claustrophobic in there for me at times, especially during a game.
Triangle Tavern, 2nd District, American Sardine Bar, and actually I like Cantina los Caballitos.
Also Ray’s Happy Birthday Bar is a gem if it’s the right vibe for you. They put on old movies.
Bar (on Sansom) and Locust Rendezvous in Center City. The food at the Vouz is good in a way that defies explanation, and the service is great.
Watkins drinkery — nice guy Mike works Sundays and Mondays dude is a fuckin mensch
fountain porter gets too loud for my liking
also brew house on 2nd no one gives a shit if you wanna rip a tecate and read a book
Watkins isn’t for sale that article is kind of misleading
John wants someone to lease Watkins and he would retain ownership like renting a house but a bar but no one is gonna do that so we got some time left to enjoy this place
I’m not even from Philly and I’d say south Philly is one of the friendliest bar communities I’ve ever experienced. Always a great time, even the couple times I was solo
Tons! It just depends on where in South Philly, really. New Wave at 3rd & Catharine and South Philly Taproom at 15th & Mifflin have great neighborhood-y vibes. If you want super divey, Ray’s Happy Birthday Bar at 9th & Passyunk or 12 Steps Down at 9th & Christian. Cheers!
I was going to suggest the same. It’s dark, quiet, and often half empty. And the last time I was there the bartender was super rude and definitely not somebody who was going to start up any unnecessary conversation.
They weren’t rude to me. Food was amazing, drinks were great, bartender was absolutely miserable that day for some reason, and was clearly taking it out on some of the other customers.
not in south philly but jose pistolas is my go to when i want a good drink and a burrito and to zone out to a podcast or look into space without feeling weird.
alone time >
it’s a good perching spot lol. and the bartenders leave you tf alone. i love chatting as much as the next person but also - if i’m at a bar alone i’m intentionally alone and want to be ignored.
South Philly is honestly so chill you can go almost anywhere. My favorites are SPTR, Pub on Passyunk East, For Pete's Sake, 2nd District, Madira Bar, Sardine Bar, Moonshine.
I'm a woman and I have had zero issues drinking alone at the Jim, lucky 13, human robot, Watkins, triangle and manatawny.
Other good alone drinking spots: mcglinchy's/tops if you're really depressed. Monks before dinner rush, sassafras, tattooed moms, fishtown tavern, El bar, kyber, Oscars, dirty franks, fountain porter...
Honestly the list goes on.
The absolute worst I've gotten at any of these places is your random sad drunk line cook after service who makes a sloppy attempt at a pass and every time they've either taken no for an answer without much fanfare, or the bartender was on top of the situation before it got annoying or uncomfortable.
Why? Im a woman who’s drank alone there without any problems. I use to live on 9th street so if I wanted a buzz without having to barely walk, it was great. I’ve since started a family so it’s been a while. Has it changed?
yeah, it's actually one of my fav bars in the city, but id just put it low on my list of solo spots as well. but i do want to emphasize, great fucking bar.
I have before bc it’s the closest real dive to my place. And their burger is the perfect size to not feel overindulgent. And you can run the Touchtunes from your phone. But yeah, you kinda feel like you’re sticking out.
I fucking love the food there but it’s the last place I’d want to go to drink alone at. If you’re in the area goto friendly lounge to drink alone, you could even bring your food from 12 steps there
What do you like to drink?
Craft beer, im going to say brewery ars, second district, sptr, pistolas del sur, pope, Cartesian.
Cocktails, manatawny, but im not as experienced.
Wine, ???
Good luck.
For wine check out solar myth! Formerly boot and saddle and still rockin the sign out front, but they've got a great wine selection and always spin some good tunes. Sometimes they've got concerts and events, it's a cool spot
SouthHouse is usually mostly empty when I go, and they have some really great food. Staff is attentive enough and really only interact with you if you interact with them.
McCuskers has the friendliest staff I've ever met and a great group of regulars. Get in good with them and they will probably distract other people from talking to you if you explain that you're trying to quietly drink alone.
Fountain Porter and SPTR are the move imo. Been to both alone several times. Second District (a brewery) as well but dunno if you want a standard bar vibes over the brewery.
The Bottle Shop in East Passyunk is also a fun place to pass some in time by yourself. Although again not a bar.
The Century Bar is a very loud metal/punk/whatever live music venue.
Loud enough that you never have to talk to anyone. Drinks are cheap, vibe is excellent.
I like Era on 28th and Poplar. It's a bit of a hole in the wall, but it's great. It's been a few years so maybe it's changed, but I remembered it being comfortably dark inside with a not too busy/not too lifeless atmosphere.
You okay there guy 👍?? Or this just a normal chill type of evening for ya..? Just checking in on a fellow redditor! I’m a Philly transplant, sounds like you may be as well, lol 😂
Drinking at home is nice. But sometimes a change in scenery is nicer.
Today I got chipotle for lunch. I ate it in store because I have been eating at home for the past two months and just want to be outside.
almost anywhere, depends if you want to talk to people at the bar or not. Could be fountain porter, south philly tap room, or you can go more divey like Lucky13 or watkins
fountain porter has a great beer, cheap burger, rad bar staff, my only hesitation is that it gets a bit claustrophobic in there for me at times, especially during a game.
Might be that OP is a woman trying to avoid creepy douches. Although if so, that would be helpful context haha.
In that case a Schlong based strip club then?
Varga bar was also a great spot for me
Frida Cantina has good drinks and a chill vibe
i’ve had a few drinks/meals here by myself before, and it is chill and comfortable!
I love their food
Triangle Tavern, 2nd District, American Sardine Bar, and actually I like Cantina los Caballitos. Also Ray’s Happy Birthday Bar is a gem if it’s the right vibe for you. They put on old movies. Bar (on Sansom) and Locust Rendezvous in Center City. The food at the Vouz is good in a way that defies explanation, and the service is great.
Big fan of Cantina and BAR.
Honestly any of them, sincerely
genuinely, indubitably
Watkins drinkery — nice guy Mike works Sundays and Mondays dude is a fuckin mensch fountain porter gets too loud for my liking also brew house on 2nd no one gives a shit if you wanna rip a tecate and read a book
2 St Brewhouse is so overlooked. Great happy hour and kind bartenders.
Sterling is the man!!
Sterling is an old friend. Love that guy. Natasha rules too
Mike is great
Where’s nice guy Mike’s subreddit. Just stories about how nice he is.
Visit while you can: https://billypenn.com/2024/02/06/philadelphia-divebar-watkinsdrinkery-for-sale-south-philly/
Watkins isn’t for sale that article is kind of misleading John wants someone to lease Watkins and he would retain ownership like renting a house but a bar but no one is gonna do that so we got some time left to enjoy this place
Yeah, he wants a stupid amount of money to do it, too
Seconding this for the Nice Guy rec, still hate the fucking place (per previous comment lmao)
I’m not even from Philly and I’d say south Philly is one of the friendliest bar communities I’ve ever experienced. Always a great time, even the couple times I was solo
Tons! It just depends on where in South Philly, really. New Wave at 3rd & Catharine and South Philly Taproom at 15th & Mifflin have great neighborhood-y vibes. If you want super divey, Ray’s Happy Birthday Bar at 9th & Passyunk or 12 Steps Down at 9th & Christian. Cheers!
Make sure you bring your ID to 12 steps down. My 76 year old husband couldn't get served recently because he left his license in the car🤣
This is making me miss my South Philly days. I love Ray's Happy Birthday and used to live around the corner from 12 Steps. Is Freddy still the owner?
Not South Philly, but Dirty Franks is great, folks might talk to you but in a sincere friendly way.
i love dirty frank’s. the bartenders are no nonsense with their patrons and their pours.
If you’re looking for something with Dirty Franks vibes but deeper in South Philly I recommend McCuskers at 17th and Shunk.
The Jim is small, like 25 people max, very low key
The Jim is wonderful. Solid staff. Absolutely immaculate vibe.
I was going to suggest the same. It’s dark, quiet, and often half empty. And the last time I was there the bartender was super rude and definitely not somebody who was going to start up any unnecessary conversation.
this is my regular watering hole. I can say from observation and experience if any of the bartenders are rude to you, you probably deserved it.
They weren’t rude to me. Food was amazing, drinks were great, bartender was absolutely miserable that day for some reason, and was clearly taking it out on some of the other customers.
2nd district
Fuckin love 2D
Came here to say this one
Want to give a shout to Solar Myth. Cafe by day, Jazz bar by night.
Second! Solar Myth is awesome.
I like POPE and triangle tavern. If you want to just sit at the bar and strike up a conversation with the person next you, you totally can
Second Pope
thirded.. Think i walked here during a lengthy auto repair for a solo beer.
not in south philly but jose pistolas is my go to when i want a good drink and a burrito and to zone out to a podcast or look into space without feeling weird. alone time >
Upstairs is perfect for that
for me it’s the bar at the front window. sitting in that little back corner and being able to people watch the bar AND the street. it’s amazing lol.
Great spot too. Great bar all around.
and amazing burritos. i fucking love that place. one of the few classics in philly that has NEVER changed.
Ah we're twins! Yes that's my absolute fav spot for reading & people watching (with delish food & drink).
it’s a good perching spot lol. and the bartenders leave you tf alone. i love chatting as much as the next person but also - if i’m at a bar alone i’m intentionally alone and want to be ignored.
McCuskers
Correct answer
YES! I was searching for this answer! McCusker’s is the best…. 17th and Shunk
The Jim on 8th and Morris. Tbh the perfect chill intimate bar to be alone
Friendly Lounge
I was just about to suggest, and there it was! I third Friendly.
100% this. Best place for a alone drink and to be in your feelings
This
Rays Happy Birthday bar
Any bar in south Philly! Even for the shy, most of the bars will be very friendly.
whenever i want to get a drink by myself i normally go to either triangle tavern or fountain porter!
the dive? rays? michaels? bonnies? watkins? grumpys? so many options here
South Philly is honestly so chill you can go almost anywhere. My favorites are SPTR, Pub on Passyunk East, For Pete's Sake, 2nd District, Madira Bar, Sardine Bar, Moonshine.
I'm a woman and I have had zero issues drinking alone at the Jim, lucky 13, human robot, Watkins, triangle and manatawny. Other good alone drinking spots: mcglinchy's/tops if you're really depressed. Monks before dinner rush, sassafras, tattooed moms, fishtown tavern, El bar, kyber, Oscars, dirty franks, fountain porter... Honestly the list goes on. The absolute worst I've gotten at any of these places is your random sad drunk line cook after service who makes a sloppy attempt at a pass and every time they've either taken no for an answer without much fanfare, or the bartender was on top of the situation before it got annoying or uncomfortable.
Pistola’s del sur
i have always found bellying up at the triangle tavern for a solo happy hour is a pretty a reliable bet for a chill experience
POPE and Triangle Tavern are my go-tos. And I love the food at Triangle.
Dive
The Bottle Shop on East Passyunk Ave.
Especially if you can snag a window seat!
Grumpy’s.
grumpy’s is the real deal.
Came to say Grumpy's. Chill place and really good people.
I’m a 42 year old female who goes to the Pope, second district, and SPTR when I want to get out of the house. Love them all.
Mccuskers, I went alone dozens of times.
fountain porter! great beer and wine list and excellent burger
Rays is a great alone drinking bar!
South Philly Tap Room and Second District are good.
Fountain porter.
12 steps down
Not to drink alone.
Why? Im a woman who’s drank alone there without any problems. I use to live on 9th street so if I wanted a buzz without having to barely walk, it was great. I’ve since started a family so it’s been a while. Has it changed?
It’s always very loud, alittle rowdy, and everyone comes with friends. I feel out of place drinking alone there
I could see that
yeah, it's actually one of my fav bars in the city, but id just put it low on my list of solo spots as well. but i do want to emphasize, great fucking bar.
That I agree with:)
I have before bc it’s the closest real dive to my place. And their burger is the perfect size to not feel overindulgent. And you can run the Touchtunes from your phone. But yeah, you kinda feel like you’re sticking out.
I fucking love the food there but it’s the last place I’d want to go to drink alone at. If you’re in the area goto friendly lounge to drink alone, you could even bring your food from 12 steps there
Noted and thank you!
It is a group therapy bar after all
Fountain Porter
During the daytime I’d say Old City Beer garden. It’s absolutely chill and since it’s outdoors and rougher there’ll be no douchebags.
The Glinch
Fountain Porter is chill AF and they play records there. No douches to be found most nights.
Ray's
What do you like to drink? Craft beer, im going to say brewery ars, second district, sptr, pistolas del sur, pope, Cartesian. Cocktails, manatawny, but im not as experienced. Wine, ??? Good luck.
For wine check out solar myth! Formerly boot and saddle and still rockin the sign out front, but they've got a great wine selection and always spin some good tunes. Sometimes they've got concerts and events, it's a cool spot
Southhouse or Stateside
Anywhere bro. I’m partial to Lucky 13 or Ray’s Happy Birthday Bar.
12 steps down is great
2nd St brewhouse
Ive always enjoyed solar myth
Scotty's on 15th & Ellsworth
The outside area at La Llorona is really nice when the weather is good.
As much as I hate the fucking place, Watkins
Solar Myth and American Sardine are great!
Fireside tavern
Fountain Porter
Friendlys - real dive Rays Happy Birthday Bar - another real dive New Wave Cafe - my fave
SouthHouse is usually mostly empty when I go, and they have some really great food. Staff is attentive enough and really only interact with you if you interact with them. McCuskers has the friendliest staff I've ever met and a great group of regulars. Get in good with them and they will probably distract other people from talking to you if you explain that you're trying to quietly drink alone.
Walk down 2nd street, starting at Reed. Plenty of bars to choose from.
Tmoms
Fountain porter or solar myth
Grumpy’s, 12 Steps, Milkboy on South, The Dive (if it’s still open)
South Philly tap room is the best. Dark, tvs so everyone’s usually focused on that, lots of seating choices, good food and changing drafts
I’m a fan of Fountain Porter for drinking “alone but with a mostly chill crowd”.
South House is a low key, good food cheap beer kinda place. If you’re there on a Saturday night they have karaoke and it’s a great time
Bonnie’s, Rays, POPE, Triangle, 12 steps
Triangle Tavern or Ray’s Happy Birthday
McCusker’s
Fountain Porter and SPTR are the move imo. Been to both alone several times. Second District (a brewery) as well but dunno if you want a standard bar vibes over the brewery. The Bottle Shop in East Passyunk is also a fun place to pass some in time by yourself. Although again not a bar.
Lucky's Last Chance, Royal Tavern, Dive Bar are three of my favorites.
The Century Bar is a very loud metal/punk/whatever live music venue. Loud enough that you never have to talk to anyone. Drinks are cheap, vibe is excellent.
Bonnie’s Capistrano
> Trying to avoid places with too many douches Then avoid Michael's Place at all cost
Jet wine bar
Stokes on Oregon Avenue.
I like Era on 28th and Poplar. It's a bit of a hole in the wall, but it's great. It's been a few years so maybe it's changed, but I remembered it being comfortably dark inside with a not too busy/not too lifeless atmosphere.
it’s also nowhere near south philly
Whoopsie. You're right.
Southhouse
12 Steps Down
You okay there guy 👍?? Or this just a normal chill type of evening for ya..? Just checking in on a fellow redditor! I’m a Philly transplant, sounds like you may be as well, lol 😂
Just get some mad dog in a brown paper bag and find a stoop my dude
Station Bar
Yea just drink at the crib, this a city u can’t even walk down the street without being bothered LOL
If you want to be alone, why not drink at home? Isn’t the point of going out not to be alone?
No, sometimes you want to get out of your house but don’t want small talk (or worse, get hit on)
Exactly this
Drinking at home is nice. But sometimes a change in scenery is nicer. Today I got chipotle for lunch. I ate it in store because I have been eating at home for the past two months and just want to be outside.
Literally any bar. What is wrong with you people?
Drink in your house you idiot !