The Best Places with Live Music in Philly
Music soothes the soul and is always a shoe in for a fun day or night out. Read on to learn more of our handpicked top spots for live music in Philly.
Contents
Time
Union Transfer
Johnny Brenda’s
South
The Fire
Boot & Saddle
The Fillmore
Chris’ Jazz Café
The Best Places with Live Music in Philly
Live music is an experience that is truly mind-blowing and in Philly, you can get an amazing amalgamation of live music, food, and booze. It’s certain that Philly sure knows how to have a good time but when you don’t know where to start, it can be hard to navigate through the endless options. Here’s our guide on the best live music venues in Philly.
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1
Time
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Courtesy of OpenTable
Time is located off the 13th street corridor. It is a bar, music club, and restaurant all blended together in one place to give you the best experience. The venue hosts local live musicians each night and you can hear the sounds over on Sansom Street. The second floor hosts Djs and a hotter and more casual atmosphere.
Patrons describe it as ‘live jazz downstairs and dancing upstairs’. Time music scene mixes jazz, fusion, acoustic, electronic, indie, and other genres. The venue pulls a diverse crowd of music lovers. Time has a schedule of events on their website, which you can check out to know what most days have to offer.
Hours of Operation :Sunday-Thursday, 5 PM-2 AM Friday-Saturday, 4 PM-2 AM
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2
Union Transfer
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Courtesy of Visit Philadelphia
Union transfer was opened to the Philly community in 2011. Music in Philly honestly doesn’t get better than at the Union Transfer. This spot hosts a good show of hip-hop music, electronic, folk, and indie acts. The building for Union Transfer is not new, but it is the perfect place for this music spot. The acoustics and state-of-the-art systems are supported by the high ceilings of the venue. They also have a stage that can be ‘modified’ to suit the performance. So, the stage can go forward or backward. It’s pretty neat and it absolutely enhances the show.
Hours of Operation :Hours vary by event
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3
Johnny Brenda’s
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Courtesy of Burb's
This venue is the largest nightspot in Philly’s Fishtown neighborhood. Its owners William Reed and Paul Kimport took over the bar in 2003. Johnny Brenda’s offers its patrons a comfortable tavern environment to enjoy local, national, and international music acts including a special Sunday Gospel music brunch.
While you can warm your heart, sway your body, or simply tap your feet to the music, Johnny Brenda’s offers mean burgers and local beers to make your visit complete. Johnny Brenda’s has a small dining room in the back and the balcony upstairs is where you find the well-equipped music section.
Hours of Operation :11 AM-2 AM daily
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4
South
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Courtesy of Visit Philadelphia
South is a restaurant and jazz club where it’s best to make a reservation if you want to be closer to all the music action. The place belongs to the Bynum family who also owns Warmdaddy’s and a few other businesses in the city. The spot seats up to 70 guests and presents live music six times every week.
The food is mostly Southern dishes which suit just fine – or at least that’s what most people agree. First-time guests and locals who are very familiar with the place can’t get enough of the tasty, flavored food. The service and atmosphere in the South are superb. Don’t miss it.
Hours of Operation :Tues-Thurs, 5 PM-10 PM Fri-Sat, 5 PM-11 PM Sun, 10:30 AM-2:30 PM; 5 PM-10 PM
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5
The Fire
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Courtesy of Rabbi Daniel Brenner
The Fire is Philly’s oldest original music club. It is known as a truly independent music venue. It is also recognized for being one of the early stages for musicians who later turn out famous. The music genres featured here have no exceptions. You can expect hip-hop, indie rock, glam pop, local, national, international, heavy metal, CD release parties, and so much more. The Fire has everything and just so you know this music club was a stage for the early shows of Maroon 5, John Legend, and My Chemical Romance.
Hours of Operation :Monday-Friday, 4 PM-2 AM Saturday-Sunday, 12 PM-2 AM
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6
Boot & Saddle
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Courtesy of Time Out
Several years ago, locals could easily name the one place where an old neon sign hung dormant. This spot was the only country bar in the city and after decades of thrilling Philly crowds, the spot was remodeled. Boot & Saddle now offers both local and national music acts across all genres. The place is a restaurant and bar offering great service, and equally great music from these acts coming in almost all week. Boot & Saddle can accommodate up to 150 heads. They serve specialty cocktail and fried pickles to keep you going with the show.
Hours of Operation :Wednesday-Sunday, 5:30 PM-2 AM
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7
The Fillmore
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Courtesy of Visit Philadelphia
This 25, 000 square feet rock club is Philly’s version of the San Francisco club. If you want to enjoy music with a large crowd, this venue is probably your best bet. It’s so large it is a two in one venue. The main room has a 2, 500 person capacity. There is also The Foundry situated upstairs, which is the second venue for smaller acts. When you are in this spot, there are lots to do and enjoy including Philadelphia Distilling found adjacent to The Fillmore Philadelphia.
Hours of Operation :Hours vary by event
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8
Chris’ Jazz Café
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Courtesy of YouTube
The name here should give away the fact that this is a jazz only music venue. In fact, Chris’ Jazz Café is the only full-time Jazz room in downtown Philadelphia; it is the longest operating jazz club in the city. The venue hosts students’ open jam nights and showcases of their own. You can look towards local, national, and international acts on most nights as well.
The kitchen whips up a series of French-inspired dishes to go with the live jazz mood. The lunch and dinner menu, drinks, and complete bar offerings become more than you can ask for during their popular happy hour. Chris’ Jazz Café is open all week until 2 am except Sunday when it is not open at all.
Looking to kill time before the show? Check out some of Philadelphia’s very best breweries.
Hours of Operation :Monday-Friday, 11 AM-2 AM Saturday, 6 PM-2 AM
- 1. Time
- 2. Union Transfer
- 3. Johnny Brenda’s
- 4. South
- 5. The Fire
- 6. Boot & Saddle
- 7. The Fillmore
- 8. Chris’ Jazz Café
