Eat, Drink, and Jam At These Music-Centric Philadelphia Hot Spots!

-Courtesy of Punch Media
Photo by MilkBoy Philly

If you’re passionate about vinyl or love to follow the locally-happening DJs and live performances, Philadelphia region’s music scene boasts a diverse selection of venues complemented by exceptional dining and beverage choices. Blending various musical encounters, the city encourages guests to enjoy lively tunes at venues such as 48 Record Bar, Almyra, Bolo, Char & Stave, MilkBoy, Stratus Rooftop Lounge, and The Twisted Tail.

48 Record Bar, the new high-tech listening room and cocktail bar perched above Old City’s legendary Sassafras, boasts a plethora of music-centric activations such as listening parties, special guest selectors, album and cocktail pairings, record release parties, live performances, and much more. Upcoming events include:

• Liner Notes: The 48 Record Bar Reading Series hosted by Alina Pleskova with Reuben Gelley Newman (NYC) and Daniel Barnum (Philly) – Wednesday, January 17 (Doors at 6pm, show at 7pm) – A monthly reading series hosted by Alina Pleskova, author of Toska. Tickets will be available on Dice.fm. 
• Members Night: The Unshazamables – Wednesday, January 24 (an exclusive for those a part of 48 Record Bar’s membership program)
• Andre 3000 Morning Deep Listening Event with special guest Thank You Thank You Coffee – Sunday, January 28 (Starts at 10am) – To celebrate the vinyl release of André 3000’s groundbreaking New Blue Sun, 48 Record Bar will host a special morning-time deep listening session of the album while offering pour-over coffee from Thank You Thank You Coffee. Tickets will be available on Dice.fm.

Beyond the musical events, the stylish second-floor space with 37 seats showcases an elevated beverage program that includes crafted cocktails, a diverse selection of bottled beers, and global wines. 

Almyra, a new modern Greek restaurant and bar from the acclaimedEstia Restaurant Group, opened its doors in Rittenhouse last month. The beautiful 7,000 sq ft restaurant and bar named after the goddess of sea breeze is continuing the momentum with the launch of live DJ sets every Friday and Saturday night from 9pm to 12am. Guests can expect Mykonos beach club-inspired tunes, think global house and EDM hits, authentic Greek music, and beyond. The rotating DJs will connect to Almyra’s state-of-the-art JBL sound system, creating a pulsing energy late into the evening.

Bolo, Chef Yun Fuentes’ Latin American dining room and rum bar nestled in bustling Rittenhouse Square, comes alive every Thursday from 7 pm to 9:30 pm with the authentic sounds of Cuba, courtesy of Conjunto Philadelphia, a Philadelphia-based music ensemble performing the music of Pre-Revolutionary Cuba. Transforming into a lively escape, the first-floor rum bar invites patrons to dance the night away, relishing the flavors of Latin America while being serenaded by vibrant live music.

Char & Stave, Bluebird Distilling’s coffee roastery and full-service café-by-day and cocktail bar-by-night with locations in Chestnut Hill and Ardmore, hosts a myriad of evening programming, including quizzo, poetry open mic, and live music. While indulging in a cocktail (or two!), guests can enjoy live music from local artists and bands on Wednesdays from 7 – 9pm, including staple acts like Gunnar Flinchum, who performs every first Wednesday, and Dan Rodgers, who is featured every third Wednesday. While cozied up in one of the several booth tables or at the bar, music lovers can unwind with expertly crafted lattes (hot or cold!), cocktails, or mocktails. Follow Char & Stave on Instagram (@charandstavecoffee) to stay up-to-date on live entertainment offerings.

MilkBoy, the iconic Philadelphia-born brand known for booze, bites, and music, invites live music enthusiasts to embrace an array of shows spanning various genres. Held at the timeless Chestnut Street location, the upcoming shows include a diverse lineup featuring karaoke nights, Afro-Cuban rhythms, indie and neo-soul melodies, pop-punk energy, progressive bluegrass vibes, and heartfelt tributes. Patrons can choose from a dynamic fusion of music, enjoy top-tier cocktails, and immerse themselves in the vibrant atmosphere that defines the essence of MilkBoy’s presence in the heart of Philadelphia. Click here for a full list of live entertainment at MilkBoy Philly.

MilkBoy South Street invites guests to become part of the vibrant Philly music community with an exclusive Tuesday night offering – Open Mic Night, commencing at 7 pm. Each week, one guest artist takes the stage with host Katie Feeney in the upstairs performance area, creating a unique and inviting musical experience like no other.

Stratus Rooftop Lounge, the chic rooftop venue on the 11th floor of the Kimpton Hotel Monaco in Old City, elevates Philadelphia’s nightlife experience with a robust upcoming lineup of live DJs including stellar performances by DJ Tonka onSaturday, January 13, DJ Hollywood on Friday, January 19, DJ Quigs on Saturday, January 27, as well as upcoming National DJ Day on Saturday, January 20 featuring multiple top-tier DJs spinning throughout the night for guests to enjoy along with Stratus’s signature cocktails and premium small bites. Click here for a full list of live entertainment at Stratus Rooftop Lounge. 

The Twisted Tail, Headhouse Square’s restaurant, bar and live music venue, boasts live blues music and entertainment six nights a week. Guests can enjoy southern-inspired food and cocktails while listening to live tunes Tuesday-Thursday 6-10pm downstairs, 12-3pm during brunch on Saturdays and Sundays, 8pm-12 am Friday and Saturday nights in the second-floor juke joint, and an open blues jam from 5-9pm every Sunday night.