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Philly's Even More Fun At Night
Another Side To The Historic City Shines After Dark
Press Release
PHILLY’S EVEN MORE FUN AT NIGHT
Another Side To The Historic City Shines After Dark
PHILADELPHIA, January 22, 2008 - Most well known for its historic charm and iconic attractions, Philadelphia is reinventing itself as a late-night city thanks to the increasing numbers of residents, visitors, college students and businesses populating the downtown area in recent years. Now nightlife-seeking tourists can enhance their daytime experiences with full evenings of fun that fit their moods and their budgets. Philadelphia’s easily accessible Center City and its close-by neighborhoods offer a variety of pubs, lounges, clubs, concert halls and live entertainment venues to please young and older, gay and straight, couples and singles and the budget-conscious and money-is-no-object crowds. Add to the mix an eclectic mix of restaurants that dish out Philly favorites and haute cuisine well into the morning hours, and the result is a city with a distinctively independent nightlife scene.
Philadelphia at night
Photo by B. Krist for GPTMC
There are many attributes that set Philadelphia’s nightlife apart from other major cities. For starters, Philly’s after-dark options are not confined to a specific area or season. In compact Center City, revelers can leave their hotel and walk from location to location or hop in a cab if their stiletto-clad feet can’t take them where they need to go. The close proximity of the city’s neighborhoods give partyers the opportunity to explore several areas in just one night—any night of the year.
In addition, restaurants play a key role in Philadelphia’s nightlife scene, with a variety of pre- and post-dining experiences available. Fun seekers can enjoy a laid-back dinner at a bring-your-own-bottle (BYOB) restaurant before a night of dancing or squeeze into the corner booth of a neighborhood diner to recap and refuel after a fun night out. Of course, a favorite 24/7 option for locals is found at 9th & Passyunk in the form of a cheesesteak at Pat’s or Geno’s, where lines often snake around the corners once 2:00 a.m. hits. Jim’s Steaks on South Street also attracts those in need of Philly’s prized sandwich before winding down for the night. Around 10:00 p.m., some spots stop serving food all together and convert from restaurant to lounge/nightclub with DJs or live musical entertainment.
The city’s rich and diverse musical offerings also set it apart from other destinations. Recently recognized by Rolling Stone for its hot music scene, Philadelphia bursts with cool sounds. Indie venues feature the hottest local bands, while large-scale concert halls host the top names in jazz, rap and rock every night of the week. Live entertainment doesn’t stop with music, however, as Philly venues host an array of comedy acts, theatrical performances and burlesque shows nightly. These entertainment options are a great way to start an evening of fun. Along the glittering Avenue of the Arts, for example, culture lovers can enjoy a play or a concert and then stop into one of the many restaurants or bars that line the street for a late-night bite, dessert or drinks.
Philadelphia’s ultra-INclusive nightclubs and bars pride themselves on small (if any) cover charges that pale in comparison to other cities. Philly spots also offer happy hours, drink promotions and late-night specials, making it an affordable and accessible scene.
And finally, with all of the city’s restaurants and the vast majority of its bars and clubs designated as smoke free, patrons don’t need to worry about the harmful and bothersome consequences of a night out. Smokers congregate outside under heated lamps (in winter), leaving the bar’s clean air unharmed.
Why Philadelphia Nightlife Now?
Philadelphia’s nightlife has grown throughout the past five years as Center City has experienced an influx of residents, tourists and businesses. Here’s a look at some of the facts that make it easy to see why the city’s nightlife is evolving:
- Center City added nearly 10,000 residents between 2000 and 2006, a growth of nearly 12% to 88,000 residents. The influx comes as area college students are now deciding to make Philadelphia their permanent address and as young professionals and empty nesters are taking advantage of the recent residential boom. (Source: Center City District)
- Fine dining is growing in Center City at a staggering rate, with 216 fine dining restaurants in 2006, up 232% from just 65 in 1992. Also on the rise is the number of outdoor dining establishments in Center City, which increased 171% from 69 in 2001 to 187 in 2006. (Source: Center City District)
- Tourism to the Greater Philadelphia area increased 27% from 20.83 million visitors in 2000 to 26.39 million in 2006. And the number of overnight leisure visitors to Greater Philadelphia has increased 63% since 1997 to reach 9.32 million in 2006. (Source: D.K. Shifflet & Associates Ltd.)
The Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC) makes Philadelphia and The Countryside® a premier destination through marketing and image building that increases business and promotes the region’s vitality. For more information about travel to Philadelphia, visit www.gophila.com or call the Independence Visitor Center, located in Independence National Historical Park, at (800) 537-7676.
Note to Editors: For photos of Greater Philadelphia, visit our Photo Gallery.
CONTACT:
Caroline Bean, GPTMC
(215) 599-7433, caroline@gptmc.com
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