Philadelphia: Secret Bars and Favorite Spots Walking Tour

Find Philly after dark. This three-hour walking tour links classic bars and lesser-known stops around Rittenhouse Square and Center City, ending near Broad and Sansom Streets. I like the easy social format and the chance to let a local choose the route, especially when you are new to Philadelphia.

I also like that the $35 price covers line-skipping and venue cover charges, which can save time and surprise fees. The main drawback is clear: drinks and food are not included, and the guide quality can shape the whole evening. Some groups have had a terrific time with guides such as Matthew and Mike, while others found the commentary thin.

Key points before you book

• 35 minutes is the usual rhythm: You spend enough time at each stop for a drink and a look around, then move on before the night becomes repetitive.
• The bars are not named in advance: The route depends on group size and venue availability, so you get flexibility rather than a fixed bar list.
• The $35 fee is mainly for access and guidance: You pay separately for cocktails, food, and most drinks, with a liquor tasting provided early in the evening.
• The tour begins at 1726 Walnut Street: Meet outside the TD Bank near Rittenhouse Square, then walk through Center City.
• The final stop is near 1300 Sansom Street: The evening may finish at a rooftop bar or speakeasy-style lounge, depending on the route.
• This is a social bar crawl, not a history walk: Bring an open attitude, your ID, and enough money for several drinks.

What this Philadelphia bar tour really offers

The concept is simple. You meet your English-speaking guide outside TD Bank at 1726 Walnut Street, get acquainted with the group, and start with a Philadelphia drink. From there, you visit three or four more bars, spending about 35 minutes at each stop in the planned format.

That structure works well if you want variety. You are not tied to one crowded room all night, and you do not have to spend your evening studying maps and checking current opening hours. The guide handles the route, points out drink and food choices, and gets the group through the door.

The phrase secret bars should be taken lightly. The bars are not revealed until closer to the event, but that does not mean every stop will be unknown to local residents. One past group enjoyed places they would not have found alone, while another felt the bars were easy enough to locate without a tour.

That difference comes down to expectations. If you want a handpicked evening with several stops and a built-in social group, the tour can be useful. If you expect rare speakeasies, detailed stories at every door, and a generous set of included drinks, the $35 fee may disappoint.

Starting at 1726 Walnut Street near Rittenhouse Square

The meeting point is outside TD Bank at 1726 Walnut Street. This is a practical place to begin because the first planned stop is in the Rittenhouse Square area, so you can settle in without a long transfer across the city.

Arrive ready to walk and order your first drink. The opening stop includes a cocktail and local snacks, plus a liquor tasting. That tasting is the only clearly included alcoholic sample, so do not mistake it for an open bar or a round of free cocktails.

The first stop serves an important purpose beyond the drink. It gives you time to meet the guide and the other people in the group. For solo visitors, couples, and small groups, that social start may be the best part of the evening. One highly positive account described the group as a good way to meet people, while another praised Matthew for keeping the night friendly and enjoyable.

You should still budget for your own order. The tour price does not cover food or drinks, apart from the early liquor tasting. The included local snack helps, but it is not dinner.

Rittenhouse Square: a gentle first round

The Rittenhouse Square stop is scheduled for about 35 minutes. You can expect a cocktail, local snacks, and a chance to get comfortable with the pace.

A short stay is useful here. You have time to taste something and talk, but you will not lose an hour at the first bar if the atmosphere is not your favorite. The tradeoff is that you may feel rushed if you want a full meal or a second round.

This stop also sets the tone for the guide. The tour promises insider tips, fun facts, and stories about Philadelphia’s bar scene, but the amount of detail can vary. One dissatisfied group found the guide offered little beyond basic directions and labels for each venue. That is worth keeping in mind if conversation and local insight matter as much to you as the drinks.

There is no formal history lecture, by design. You will not get a long account of Philadelphia’s colonial past or a detailed architectural tour. The focus is on where to go, what to order, and how the night feels.

Center City stops: four different chances to get it right

After Rittenhouse Square, the route continues through Center City. The exact bars depend on group size and availability, which means the same experience can feel different from one date to another.

The next stop includes a cocktail and about 35 minutes in the venue. This is the point where the group usually gets into its rhythm. You have already met everyone, and the guide can adjust the mood based on the group.

A later stop is scheduled for about an hour and includes a cocktail and dinner. This is the most useful part of the itinerary for anyone who wants more than bar snacks. Still, confirm your appetite and budget before you arrive. Dinner is not included, and the precise restaurant is not promised in advance.

Another one-hour stop includes a cocktail, giving you more time to enjoy the room rather than simply order and leave. The final listed stop allows about 40 minutes for a cocktail and free time before the tour finishes. The published stop times add up to more than the advertised three-hour duration, so treat them as a flexible plan rather than a strict timetable.

The route may include different types of bars. A past group encountered a gay bar, while the final venue has been described as either a rooftop bar with city views or a speakeasy-style lounge. These possibilities are part of the appeal, but they also show why you should not book this if you need a fixed list of venues.

The final stop near Broad and Sansom Streets

The evening ends around 1300 Sansom Street, close to Broad and Sansom Streets. This makes the finish convenient for continuing your night in Center City, though the tour does not promise transportation afterward.

The final stop is meant to provide a strong finish. You might find a rooftop setting with city views, or you might end in a lounge with a speakeasy feel. Those are very different atmospheres, so the lack of a named venue is both the fun and the risk.

I would treat the final bar as a bonus, not the sole reason to book. The route can change, and the tour provider does not reveal the exact names ahead of time. If you need a rooftop view at a certain hour, book that venue separately instead.

What the $35 price buys you

At $35 per person, this is not an all-inclusive drinking package. You pay separately for cocktails, other drinks, and food. Your actual cost depends on how many stops you visit and how much you order.

The fee does include practical benefits:

• Skip-the-line access through a separate entrance
• No cover charges at the venues on the route
• A liquor tasting early in the tour
• Drink and food suggestions at each location
• Brunch vouchers for selected restaurants

The line access and cover charges are the strongest value points. If a venue is busy or charges an entrance fee, getting in with the group can save both waiting time and money. The value is weaker if the bars are quiet, the route is basic, or you do not plan to order several drinks.

The brunch vouchers are a pleasant extra, but they should not be your main reason to book. They apply only at selected restaurants, and the available choices are not specified here.

Bring enough money for the evening. You may buy cocktails at each stop, and the itinerary includes several opportunities to order. If you want dinner, add that cost too.

Guide quality can make or break the night

This tour depends heavily on the person leading it. A strong guide can keep introductions moving, explain why a bar made the route, point out a good order, and help strangers become a group.

Matthew received especially warm praise for being friendly and taking a first-time Philadelphia visitor to places they would not have found alone. Mike was also thanked after a successful outing. Those names show the benefit of a good host, but they do not guarantee who will lead your date.

The less successful experience was very different. One small group of four expected more from the guide and felt the commentary amounted to little more than announcing each location. Another group found one guide energetic and helpful, but objected to a second guide smoking marijuana and making jokes that did not land.

That is not a minor concern. In a small group, the guide becomes the evening’s main source of energy. With only four people, weak hosting is hard to ignore. With a larger group, you may rely more on the other participants and less on the guide.

The safest approach is to book this for the route and social setup, not for a guaranteed expert talk. Expect tips and informal stories, not a polished lecture.

Group size, atmosphere, and who will enjoy it

The tour is designed for people who want to meet others while moving through the city. Friends can join together, but you can also arrive alone and use the first stop to meet the group.

It suits you best if you:

• Want several bars in one evening
• Prefer a guide to choose the route
• Enjoy meeting new people
• Are comfortable paying for your own drinks
• Like informal local suggestions more than formal sightseeing
• Are visiting Philadelphia and want an easy night out in Center City

It is less suitable if you want a quiet tasting, a detailed Philadelphia history tour, or a fully planned dining itinerary. It is also a poor fit if you expect included cocktails.

The experience is for people aged 21 and over. Unaccompanied minors are not allowed, and the tour is not suitable for pregnant women. You must bring a passport or ID card. Large bags and luggage are not allowed, and sleeveless shirts are prohibited, so dress for the venue rules rather than for a casual daytime walk.

The activity is wheelchair accessible, but the exact bar route is not named in advance. If you need to check a specific venue or access feature, ask before booking.

Practical planning for a three-hour night

Wear comfortable shoes. You will be walking between venues in Center City, and the stops are spread across the Rittenhouse Square and Broad and Sansom Street areas.

Do not arrive hungry unless you plan to eat at the dinner stop. Local snacks are provided early, but food is not included throughout the tour. If you want to keep spending under control, decide in advance whether you will order at every stop or use some stops for conversation.

The tour is advertised as three hours, but the individual stop schedule is flexible and can run differently depending on the group and venues. Keep the rest of your evening loose. Do not schedule a show immediately afterward.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time, and you can reserve now and pay later. Starting times vary, so check availability for your date.

Should you book this Philadelphia bar tour?

Book it if you want an easy, social introduction to Center City nightlife and value skip-the-line access more than included drinks. The best evenings appear to come from a friendly guide, an open group, and a willingness to let the route surprise you.

Skip it if you need named venues, guaranteed speakeasies, strong historical commentary, or a fixed drink package. At $35, the fee can be fair when it saves you cover charges and waiting time, but your bar bill comes afterward.

My advice is simple: book this for the company and the convenience. If Matthew, Mike, or another engaging guide leads your group, you may discover a few places you would have missed and enjoy a lively night with new friends. If the hosting is flat, the same route may feel like an expensive version of searching for nearby bars yourself.

FAQ

Where does the tour meet?

Meet your guide outside TD Bank at 1726 Walnut Street in Philadelphia.

Where does the tour finish?

The tour finishes near 1300 Sansom Street, in the Broad and Sansom Street area.

How long does the tour last?

The advertised duration is three hours. Individual stop times are flexible and may vary with the group and venue availability.

Are drinks included in the $35 price?

No. Drinks and food are purchased separately, except for a liquor tasting provided at an early stop.

Are cover charges included?

Yes. The tour includes no cover charges at the venues visited along the route.

Does the tour skip lines?

Yes. Skip-the-line access through a separate entrance is included for the venues on the route.

Are the bar names known before the tour?

No. Specific bar names and details are revealed closer to the event, and the stops depend on group size and availability.

What identification should you bring?

Bring a passport or ID card.

Can someone under 21 join?

No. The activity is not suitable for people under 21, and unaccompanied minors are not allowed.