The area between Walnut and Locust streets south of the Convention Center -- roughly from 9th Street to 13th Street -- is known as the "Gayborhood." The heart of gay and lesbian Philadelphia is full of social services, bookstores, clubs, bars, and restaurants. Pick up a copy of Philadelphia Gay News at Giovanni's Room bookstore, 345 S. 12th St. (tel. 215/923-2960) for suggestions of places that cater to a variety of niches and sub-niches.
Dive Bars
There's something slightly chic about these timeworn neighborhood joints, the kind of places where you'll feel comfortable in biker gear, tuxedo pants, sweat pants, or, if the occasion should call for it, no pants at all. Some of them even have exemptions from the nonsmoking law. (By the way, I was kidding about the no-pants thing.)
- Bob & Barbara's, 1509 South St. (tel. 215/545-4511). There are many drinks here, but only one $3 "special," consisting of a shot of Jim Beam and a Pabst Blue Ribbon. Drink it. Then admire the old light fixtures. Or the collection of vintage Pabst ads papering the wall. Bob and Barbara's gets extra points for being gay-friendly, especially during its famous Thursday-night drag shows.
- Dirty Frank's, 347 S. 13th St. (tel. 215/732-5010). No sign outside. Just a mural of famous "Franks." Inside, it's art gallery meets ashtray, plus booth seating and intermittently friendly barkeeps. Skip the mixed drinks and the draft beer. Order bottles. Play darts. If you find yourself here New Year's Day, be sure to dance on the tables.
- McGlinchey's, 259 S. 15th St. (tel. 215/735-1259). Ms. Pac Man tables. Mixed crowd that tends toward the down and out. Grumpy bartenders. 25? hot dogs. Cheap, cheap, cheap pints, the cheapest in the city. Nicer beer, too. And shots. Lots of 'em.
- Oscar's Tavern, 1524 Sansom St. (tel. 215/972-9938). Oscar's is the textbook spot to hide from your boss -- and to stay there until 2am. Don't be afraid of the dirt-cheap roast beef sandwiches. Or, for that matter, the cheap beer, or the hits-centric jukebox.
- Ray's Happy Birthday Bar, 1200 E. Passyunk Ave. (tel. 215/365-1169). Right around the corner from the cheesesteak stands, this South Philly joint has been discovered by irony-peddling hipsters, but isn't that much the worse for it. Lou runs things behind the bar, and will be seriously disappointed if you didn't call ahead to tell him it's your birthday (so he can get you a cake). The original purpose of the trough that circles the bar is less than sanitary. But best of all is Ray's slogan: "You can't drink all day if you don't start in the morning."
