Philadelphia's Top Celebrity Hangouts

Any professional stargazer traveling outside the orbit of New York City and Los Angeles knows that most name-brand celeb sightings are few and far between. That does not, however, mean you should be surprised to be rubbing elbows with such wildly-famous game in other urban jungles, especially "the City of Brotherly Love," which (believe it or not) is also a magnet for a surprisingly high number of movers and shakers from the world of film, television, music and sports; you just have to know where to go to get a gander. That in mind, here's a shortlist of hot places and spaces where (chances are), if you see the paps setting long-range lenses, they're staking out some famous folk who are flocking nearby.

G

111 South 17th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 564-1515
thebestlounge.com

Set in the heart of Rittenhouse Square directly below the decadent Italian bistro Davios, this hyper-cool, low-lit lounge is an uber-urbane magnet for both city-based sophisticates and visiting celebs (Snoop Dogg and Gerard Butler are just a couple of the coolios that have stopped by in recent years) who come not just for the excellent drinks and DJs, but the attractive scenery (in terms of both aesthetics and the opposite sex). However, for those of you Boo Birds who think you can slide past the bouncers in a sideways cap and some unlaced Chucks, you best invest in some decent shoes and a Boss blazer (as in Hugo). After you clean yourself up, pay the cover and get the nod (both God and doorman willing), pick yourself a nice low-rider in the neon-lit lounge, order a drink – try the very sexy 'Very Sexy' (citrus vodka, crème de cassis, fresh lemon, Grand Marnier-marinated berries and champagne) – and lay low. If you're lucky, you might spot a slinky Playboy playmate on a private prowl or see handsome box office star just seeking bottle service and some quiet time to bask in the glow. Either way, you'll be transfixed. And for the sake of Sly (local hero), do tip your servers.

Sabrina's Café

910 Christian St.
Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 574-1599
sabrinascafe.com

Quaint, popular, and hence, quite crowded on any given Sunday, Sabrina's runs contrary to what far too many celeb spotters seem to think when trying to track down the famous in Philly: not everything is about the nightlife. Truth be told, sometimes "the beautiful people" only want a low-key space to have either a hearty breakfast with a beau or a cozy lunch with close pals, post-pub crawl or not. Located just beyond the Italian market, Sabrina's seems to carry that kind of clout, especially with talent temporary to the city (actors Reese Witherspoon and Jake Gyllenhaal were cited as being seen among diners during a recent on-location shoot), mainly because the food is stick-to-your-ribs good. If you're lucky enough to get a table, be sure to tuck into their stuffed Challah French toast or, if you've skipped breakfast, the Pesto Crème Penne (delicious). But a word of warning to the random walk-in: you're better off calling ahead to inquire about a wait, because it really can take a while during the brunch-time bustle.

Rouge

208 South 18th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 732-6622
rouge98.com

One of the more posh gastro-pubs on the Rittenhouse perimeter, Rouge has earned a rep for being another ritzy "it" spot for celebs (Justin Timberlake and M. Night Shyamalan are just a couple examples), as well as actual citizens who dig a well-made drink and great grub. Also cited by everyone from Zagat's to GQ for serving one of the country's best burgers (one that's topped with caramelized onions and gruyere cheese, no less), its bar scene is equally boast-worthy, thanks to a wide-ranging roster of high-class cocktails (the Lychee Caprioska and Pomegranate Margarita are particularly amazing), all of which are reasonably priced in the $12 range. Despite some complaints about the waitstaff, this is still an excellent spot to sip and see those who don't always want to be seen.

The Continental Mid-town

1801 Chestnut St.
Philadelphia, PA 19103
continentalmidtown.com

Not to be confused with the namesake of that velvet-robed cad played by Christopher Walken on Saturday Night Live, this neat little eatery on Chestnut has attracted many equally-famous faces (do the names Ashton and Demi ring a bell?); it's also a perfect place for anyone looking to shake off the dust from a neighborhood watering hole in favor of something with a little more panache and pop flair. Of course, the bar's retro fixtures and funky backdrop aren't the only attraction: The Continental's cocktail menu offers a range of spectacular libation – from custom-mades like 'The Astronaut' (peachka vodka and Tang, served in a Tang-rimmed glass) to traditional martinis to beer and wine. And don't even get us started on the array of amazing eats (the lobster mac 'n cheese and Teriyaki filet mignon with wasabi mashed potatoes are two of their best), all of which will leave you stuffed, if not craving home delivery. For more delicious details, take a quick spin on their colorful website, which comes off like a cross between a 70's-era episode of The Electric Company and an outtake from Austin Powers.

Barclay Prime

237 South 18th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 732-7560
barclayprime.com

You'd have to be living under a rock to not know that Philadelphia is a sportin' town populated by sportin' men (and women, too - don't get us wrong). However, to be more specific (and less sexist to Philly fans), what we are referring to here are men with a more athletic aesthetic – as in Cliff Lee, Joe Blanton and Kevin Kolb, just to name a few. These are some of the more famous athletes who've bellied up to the billet of succulent fare at this boutique steakhouse, which serves up everything from top-notch tenderloin to takeaway-worthy Kobe sliders. So if you have "carne knowledge" and crave a rare cut of meat (on the bone or off) in an environment frequented by both footballers and fastballers, then trust us: both your appetites are likely to be well-sated by the end of an evening here.

Parc

227 South 18th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 545-2262
parc-restaurant.com

Barely a stone's throw from Rouge, this Parisian brasserie has received raves from Philadelphia's most devout foodies since it opened in the summer of 2008, thanks to both simple fare and a spectacular wine list. But haute cuisine and cocktails aside, Parc is also a quiet haven where the well-behaved may end up shoulder-to-shoulder with some of Hollywood's most renowned and recognizable talents (Oscar-winners Denzel Washington and Jamie Foxx, to name a few), all of whom apparently enjoy basking in French flair and open air without raising too much of a fuss. And if you take pleasure in the taste of deliciously prepared food (both their beef bourguignon and macaroni gratin are mouth-wateringly good), then this bistro is also a great place to coddle your culinary joie de vivre.