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Philadelphia's Most Iconic Bars

By Allen Foster

Being a grown-up is tough. If you're not pulling overtime at your full-time, you probably have a second or maybe even a third job just to keep afloat. You work hard and you definitely earn your downtime. So, when the weekend rolls around, you want to celebrate big time! You want a drinking experience that is unforgettable, a forever moment where you can feel larger than life as you lose yourself in the comforting embrace of the amiable crowd.

Luckily, you live in Philadelphia, a city that has an unparalleled nightlife. As historic as the Old City District is, neighborhoods like Fishtown will soon surpass Brooklyn as happy havens of trendiness. Somewhere in the middle lies the gold. Those distinctive bars that make your night out more than that much needed downtime that pads your grueling work weeks. These following iconic establishments ensure your evening out will become an exhilarating social event.

McGillin's Olde Ale House
1310 Drury St.
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 735-5562
www.mcgillins.com

Back in 1860, when Abe Lincoln was elected president, Catherine and William McGillin opened the Bell in Hand Tavern. The iconic establishment predates City Hall, Wanamaker's, F.W. Woolworth, and Gimbels. To celebrate its 50th anniversary, in 1910, the tavern officially changed its name to McGillin's Olde Ale House. Today, besides having 30 beers on tap and serving a large selection of offerings from Eastern Pennsylvania breweries, the historic tavern has it's own creations: McGillin's Real Ale, McGillin's Genuine Lager, and McGillin's 1860 IPA.

Dirty Frank's
347 S. 13th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 732-5010
www.dirtyfranksbar.com

On November 8, 1933, almost exactly one month before Prohibition was repealed, Lou Silverman opened Franks. The second owner — who was actually named Frank — allegedly had a hygiene issue, so the establishment was dubbed "Dirty Frank's." Over the decades, people from all walks of life have stopped by the local watering hole and left their mark (literally on the walls) to prove that they were there. Carrying on the tradition, today, Dirty Frank's Off-The-Wall Gallery features the works of area painters, sculptors, photographers, printmakers, dreamers, and visionaries.

Frankford Hall
1210 Frankford Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19125
(215) 634-3338
www.frankfordhall.com

Opening just five short years ago, Frankford Hall isn't steeped in history like some of the other bars on this list. Instead, it represents a nod to the future. Located in the thriving Fishtown neighborhood, Frankford Hall is an exquisite blend of tradition and trendiness. The spacious indoor establishment actually feels like a traditional open-air German beer garden. Patrons sit at long picnic tables and order from a menu that features both German and American cuisine along with a wide assortment of perfectly chilled drafts.

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Barcade
1114 Frankford Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19125
(215) 634-4400
www.barcadephiladelphia.com

In 2004, four friends — Paul Kermizian, Pete Langway, and brothers Kevin and Scott Beard — combined their two favorite pastimes — drinking craft beer and playing vintage arcade games — into one incredible establishment. The Brooklyn location did so well that in 2011, the friends expanded, opening a Barcade in the up-and-coming Fishtown section of Philadelphia. There are 25 beers on tap, and because of their collaboration with craft brewers, they often feature selections that you can only find at Barcade. Regarding the video games, patrons have an expansive selection of vintage arcade games to choose from, including Tetris, Ms. Pac-Man, Frogger, Galaga, Donkey Kong, and dozens more.

National Mechanics
22 S. 3rd St.
Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 701-4883
www.nationalmechanics.com

In 1837, renowned architect, William Strickland, built the Mechanics National Bank on 3rd Street, just off of Market. Over the years, the iconic building has served as the home for a variety of banks, churches, clubs, and bars. The gothic structure is decorated with all manner of mechanical wonders. However, when you step into the bar, which features a beer selection of dozens of varieties from around the globe, you are transported into a miraculous world of days gone by. The history is so thick you can actually taste it in the air.

Related: Philly's 5 Best Sports Bars

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