Browse Philadelphia Lists

5 to Try: Martini Bars

With all of this nouvelle to-do about stately classic cocktails, what's a girl (or guy) to do if she (or he) still hasn't gotten over the taste for the froufy martini-lite drinks first made oh-so-popular by the classic characters Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda, who will likely show up in the upcoming movie sequel raving about Sidecars and Gimlets? Fret not, little dahlings, despite the current appetite for retro drinks, you can still scout many places in Philadelphia to sip vodka combined with any number of other ingredients and served in a dainty martini glass (does it seem that the only remaining qualifier that defines a martini is the stemmed, triangular glass?). So what if the "classic" version limits you to gin and vermouth? You're a modern girl (or guy) and you refuse to let your spirits be suppressed.

Recess Lounge

Philadelphia's most exclusive playground! This new club is located 125 S 2nd Street Philadelphia, Pa 19106

5 to Try: Meatballs

Woe is the child who had the terrible misfortune to cry "on top of spaghetti, all covered with cheese, I lost my poor meatball when somebody sneezed". The child must not have lived in Philadelphia because any kid who grows up here knows that there is never just one meatball on top of spaghetti. What kind of Italian heritage could we claim if we were ever tempted to be so stingy with our meatballs? I mean, Mama mia! So please, if you're eating meatballs in a distant city, heed the kid's advice by holding on to your meatball and not ever sneezing. If you’re here, sneeze away. There are plenty more where those came from.

Free in Philadelphia

Short on cash flow? That shouldn't stop you from partaking in fun cultural events throughout the city. Every day of the week, some of the city's most venerable institutions offer free tours, entertainment and educational activities, meaning that you can no longer beg off a trip to a museum by crying poor. (Verizon Hall photo courtesy of Kimmel Center)

Dark Bars: Philadelphia

Have you ever gone out with a pimple on your face and felt mortified about the distinctly un-cute addition to your skin that still shined brightly despite all that concealer? Or headed to a bar for drinks while suffering from allergies and feared anyone noticing your red eyes would suspect you of smoking a doobie or bawling about that ex you're so over? These are times when the best thing you can do for yourself is to slink into a bar with dim lighting, where friends and strangers can make out your silhouette but not your facial details. At these bars, your aesthetic secrets are safe, thanks to the lights that seem to be practically engaged in a game of Limbo. You know ... how low can you go? (Photo courtesy of Pub on Passyunk East)

Fear Factor Food: Philadelphia

If you're one for always trying something new, we have a dare for you: try dining on dishes that make those with less pluck say yuck. While we don't support acting all grossed out by foods consumed by other ethnicities or individuals (unless we're talking about, say, cannibalism), we do acknowledge that certain foods (such as duck hearts at Zahav, left) are considered, um, a little … icky by mainstream America. But what better way to bridge cultures and expand your mind than trying out a food that forces you out of your comfort zone. After all, taking a cab to Center City is a lot cheaper than taking a plane to a foreign land and can prove to be equally delicious. (Photo by Tara Nurin)

Picnic Planner: Philadelphia

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood, which makes it a beautiful day for a picnic. You know, a picnic--those old-fashioned things that have you packing wine, cheese, sandwiches and lots of ant repellent into a cheery basket lined with a red-and-white-checkered tablecloth and skipping off to the park for lunch al fresco. Need some inspiration on where to stock up and where to engage in said picnic? Look no further than right here. (Photo courtesy of Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources)

Dog-Friendly Philadelphia

If you just can't leave Fifi behind when you leave home, bring her with you when you set out to spend a day or a weekend in Philadelphia. Many hotels and restaurants are dog-friendly, as long as your dog is friendly. And what could make a dog happier than spending time on the town with its owner? Yes, the knowledge that cats are not similarly invited.

Thanksgiving in Philadelphia

If it's your turn to host Thanksgiving dinner this year and you can't muster enough energy to do more than defrost a Stouffer's frozen dinner, maybe it's time to think about switching up the old at-home family tradition. At dozens of places around the city, you can pay chefs to cook up the turkey better than you ever could and you can even pay people to set up, serve it and clean up your mess. We almost promise that once the idea catches on among your relatives, you'll never have to fight traffic to schlep to Uncle Harvey's in King of Prussia again. But despite all of the gracious accommodations provided at these establishments we call "restaurants", there's one disadvantage you wouldn't encounter in the privacy of your home: there's probably no one on staff who will do much to keep your Grandma Lee from whispering loudly about the fat people dining at the next table.