Center City

Howl at the Moon Philly
Howl at the Moon Philly, better known as Howl, is located on 15th and Locust. It is a popular attraction because of its bar promotions and live music performances. Howl at the Moon has nineteen locations within the United States. Entry is strictly 21 and over. Howl operates until 2 am throughout the week. A big unique factor Howl has is known as “The Show.” From Tuesday nights to Saturday nights, live performances take place. The music showcases today’s hits, classics, and songs from the 90’s. Patrons can also request songs. The one-floor layout provides customers with lots of space. The main bar is in the middle. The second, smaller bar is toward the back. Both are full-service. The dance floor is directly in front of the stage next to the window and entrance area. High tables and seating are available throughout the venue if they aren’t reserved. Cover is generally five dollars. On Friday nights and Saturday nights, cover increases to ten. Another differentiating factor Howl has is known as “Win a Party.” This bar promotion can be obtained by signing up on Howl’s website. The individual will receive an unlimited guest list. Perks include free entry, a complimentary mini buffet, and discounted drinks. However, this is a time sensitive promotion from generally 7 pm to 9 pm. Drinks are on the pricier side. Domestic beers go for around four dollars and imported beers can cost up to seven. Howl offers buckets that aren’t accessible anywhere else in Philadelphia. This is a 32 ounce cocktail that is served in a bucket and can be shared between up to five people. The most popular is the “Adios” bucket, which includes UV Blue Vodka, Pinnacle Gin, Cruzan Rum, Cuervo Gold Tequila, Blue Curacao, Lemon Lime Soda, and Sprite. Overall, Howl is a vibrant bar at the heart of center city, and is a great place to enjoy live music.         

          

Cuba Libre
Located at the corner of 2nd and Market, Cuba Libre is a top Spanish club as well as restaurant in Philadelphia. The venue’s unique factor comes from its authenticity and Latin American atmosphere. Cuba Libre focuses on Cuban cuisine. Food is highly rated at 4.4/5 stars. Popular items include: Shrimp Ceviche, Guava BBQ Ribs, Seafood Paella, and more. Expect to spend anywhere from twenty to forty dollars on food. Drinks are also very expensive, where a Mojito costs fourteen dollars. However, Cuba Libre uses high quality liquor in all drinks. Furthermore, alcoholic selection is very diverse. There are five different types of Mojitos alone, with the Dragon Berry choice being the most popular. Patrons also can take advantage of Cuba Libre’s weekly happy hour from 5 to 7 pm. Drinks and food becomes half off. Sunday through Thursday, the restaurant closes at 10 pm. On Friday and Saturday nights, Cuba Libre operates until 2 am and becomes very crowded as it turns into a clubbing attraction. The venue has two floors, along with a medium-sized bar on each level. Bottle service is available only on the second floor. The atmosphere of Cuba Libre is very unique. The design and layout is Cuban inspired. The DJ plays a combination of salsa, meringue, and electronic dance music. The crowd is also very diverse. Customers come from all parts of Greater Philadelphia, consisting mainly of college students and young adults. Entry is twenty dollars. Cuba Libre also has a strict dress code where sneakers and shorts aren’t permitted. As seen from the photo below, the entire first floor is essentially for dancing. People are very friendly and also highly energetic. The ultimate drawback comes back to pricing. Overall, Cuba Libre provides a unique Latin American experience for those into Spanish music and upbeat dancing.

Down Philly 

Located on 15th and Locust, Down is a rather new bar with a club-like atmosphere. A very unique feature about the venue is that it is connected with Howl at the Moon. The passage way located inside Down allows patrons to access Howl from Thursday through Saturday nights. The layout of Down is on the smaller side. However, the place can still hold up to 500 people. The dance floor is right in the middle upon entry and takes up most of the space. The main bar is in the back. There is a second, smaller bar next to the entrance on the right. Both are full-service. Another advantage of Down is service speed. Getting a drink takes a couple minutes on most nights. The left side of Down is elevated and reserved for bottle service. Pricing is on the higher side. Mixed drinks cost anywhere between seven to thirteen dollars. The interior design is contemporary and the venue is known for its futuristic blue-colored lighting. There are a total of ten resident DJs. The venue also brings in outside talents on select nights. The music is primarily a combination of EDM and hip hop. The sound system is better than other bars and clubs in the area. Down does attract a diverse mix of people. In terms of age, it is still mainly college students and young working adults. Down operates Thursday through Saturday nights from 10 pm to 2 am. The place starts getting crowded between 11:30 pm and midnight. Cover is ten dollars. Overall, Down is a new and energetic setting that allows patrons to also experience Howl at the price of one.             

Drinker's Pub 
Drinker's Pub, better known as Drinker’s is an old-fashioned bar located on 19th and Chestnut. The venue is known for its lively atmosphere, cheap drinks, and wide selection of finger foods. The two-floor layout provides patrons with good space. The main bar is on the first level. Another smaller bar is located upstairs. Both are full-service. The bartenders at Drinker’s are known for their friendly attitude and service efficiency. Even on busy nights, getting drinks isn’t an issue. Mixed drinks cost between four to six dollars, while domestic beers go for as low as three. The food is a combination of American and Mexican cuisine. Popular items include wings, tacos, and hot dogs. Expect to pay a great price of five to ten dollars for most selections. Drinker’s operates throughout the entire week from 11:30 am to 2 am. The first floor has many high tables and chairs for patrons to drink and converse. The pool table is located on the second level along with a popular dancing area. The lighting on the second floor is dim and the noise level is much higher as well compared to the first. The music is a combination between rock and top hits. The unique factor about Drinker’s is cheap drinks. Because of this, many patrons will pregame here before visiting a club. The location is also ideal as the pub is situated right in Center City. On the weekends, Drinker’s attract mainly college students. On the weekdays, the demographic in terms of age is much older. Overall, Drinker’s is a great place for small and large groups to use as a pregame before heading out elsewhere in the area.           

  

(Photo Credit: Howl Philly, Down Philly, Cuba Libre, and Drinker's Pub)