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Top Bars On South Street

Running east to west, South Street acts as the southern border of Center City in Philadelphia. For years, it has been known for its eclectic, even bohemian lifestyle from Front Street to Seventh Street. Lined with bars, restaurants, boutiques and other shops, it draws both residents and tourists alike. Originally, under William Penn's plan for the city, it was designated as Cedar Street. Prior to the 1950s, it was the heart of the garment district, and beginning in the 1960s, numerous bars and clubs opened with live music, and South Street became a bar-hopper's paradise.

Manny Brown's Bar and Grill
512 South St.
Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 627-7427
www.manny-browns.com

Opened by Manny Brown in 1983 as Manny Brown's Restaurant, Manny Brown's Bar and Grill quickly became a watering hole for area residents. Featuring a happy hour from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, there is always something good on tap as well as a variety of specialty concoctions that are available from the bartenders. On Sundays, all day long until midnight, the bar celebrates NFL football with reduced prices for beer and for wings.

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Woolly Mammoth
430 South St.
Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 923-8780
www.facebook.com/WoollyMammothLiveLounge

There's no cover charge, and Woolly Mammoth offers live music every Friday night in its upstairs room. With about 15 beers on tap and more than 75 bottled beers and various mixed drinks, the bar also features flat screen TVs on all of its walls. While the Woolly Mammoth has only been around since 2008, a bar has operated at the same location for 50 years.

Jet Wine Bar
1525 South St.
Philadelphia, PA 19146
(215) 735-1116
www.jetwinebar.com

For the wine lover, Jet Wine Bar is a great hangout. Every Thursday from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. is free movie night. Featuring $5 cocktails, along with wine specials and free popcorn, the movie choice is up to management. To see what movie is scheduled, check the bar's Facebook page. On Wednesday nights, watch Turbulence featuring DJ Bill Gat. There is no cover and happy hour runs from 9 p.m. until close.

Legendary Dobbs
304 South St.
Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 501-7288
www.dobbsphilly.com

The reason this South Street bar is called the "Legendary Dobbs" becomes immediately apparent upon your first visit. Known for its affiliation with artists and musicians, the establishment was founded in 1974 as JC Dobbs. Dobbs has hosted Nirvana, Bo Diddley, Pearl Jam, The Smashing Pumpkins and many more. Every Wednesday is open mic night with John Faye. On Thursday, September 19th, join City of Hope for the Ladies of Philly Hip Hop & R&B show.

Bob and Barbara's
1509 South St.
Philadelphia, PA 19146
(215) 545-5411
www.bobandbarbaras.com

Considered to be one of the best dive bars on South Street, Bob and Barbara's was, for many years, operated by Robert Porter, the owner, and Barbara Carter, the manager. After Carter died in 1994, Porter retired. Known for its live music on Friday and Saturday nights by The Crowd Pleasers on a Hammond B-3 organ, the group calls its jazzy style "liquor drinking music." There is no cover charge. Stop by on a Thursday night for the bar's famous drag show hosted by Miss Lisa. Bob and Barbara's is also the home of the "delicious" Citywide Special, a can of PBR with a shot of Jim Beam.

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Jeffrey B. Roth, has won numerous state and national news and feature-writing awards during his career. A well-known crime writer, investigative reporter and a feature writer, Roth writes for a number of magazines and newspapers. Listed in the Locus Index of SciFi and Fantasy authors, Roth is the author of a number of published short stories and poetry. His work can be found on Examiner.com.

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