Raven Lounge
A small bar just around the corner from Rittenhouse Square that's a lot of fun. Board games on the tables, affordable drinks, and a DJ mixing it upâonce the night gets going, girls get on the bar itself because that's the only place left to dance! Other nights there will be live music or a live comedy show as well.
McGlinchy's
One of the few true dive bars in Center City. It's dirtier then you can imagine, and since the lighting is dim enough to be almost completely turned off, it's also dirtier then you can see. Right away, the staff genuinely doesn't like you. You will be a smoker as soon as you walk in, whether you smoke or not; McGlinchy's is one of the few bars that is exempt from the smoking ban and it's obvious from the door. The bathrooms are tiny and completely foul. You're better off not washing your hands, just to avoid touching as few things in there as possible. Fights are not uncommon, but the staff is always quick to pounce and drag it outside; McGlinchy's does not suffer fools. But the beer is ridiculously cheap, and the staff will warm up to you if you aren't an idiot, don't waste their time thinking about what you want to drink, and tip well. The crowd is often a mix of old barflys, blue collar after-workers and plenty of cute art school students. This is hands-down one of the best bars in Philly if you leave pretension at the door and roll with the vibe.
Monk's
One of two of the best places to drink beer in Center City the other one is Eulogy Tavern in Old City. Monk's has one of the largest beer varieties in the area, especially Belgian beer, with the right food to go with it the burgers and mussels are standouts. Check their website to see the newest featured beer.
Denim Lounge
One of Center City's most popular lounges with great DJs and a hip, young and fashionable crowd. However, recent reviews of service and drink prices in particular have placed this venue on the decline over the past several years.
Center City West has an active nightlife scene around the Rittenhouse Square area. As it's also one of the wealthiest neighborhoods, crowds here can be young, hip, and beautifulâor at least pretending to beâwhich leads some other people to gripe about how it's all turning too "tacky" and "Manhattan-esque." Depending on how you look at it, this is either changing Philadelphia for the worse, or this is the kind of scene Philadelphia needs to keep people from leaving for the actual Manhattan. Either way, this clash of cultures results in a larger range of options this side of Broad, from the dark, blue-collar dives to the super-ritzy cocktail lounges.
If you're in Center City during the summer months, be sure to take advantage of Center City Sips (http://centercityphila.or...), a downtown-wide Happy Hour every Wednesday from 5PM-7PM where many bars and restaurants all participate in drink specials: $2 beers, $3 wines and $4 cocktails, and usually some selection of food specials. As it's right after the hump of the office work week, you'll see a lot of young professionals in business casual, and some places will get really crowded, but the prices are definitely right.
Coffee
Walnut Bridge Coffee House
Besides the cashier's station and the small deli counter this small cafe is more like someone's tiny living room. Grab a cup of joe first thing in the morning or take a break on the couch during the day, but there's no wifi so catch up on e-mail somewhere else.
Nook Bakery & Coffee Bar
Coffeehouse and bakery operated by the owners of the former Walnut Bridge Coffee House.