The Fillmore Philadelphia ★ 4.4
$$Fishtown{'monday': 'varies by show', 'tuesday': 'varies by show', 'wednesday': 'varies by show', 'thursday': '19:00 doors, varies', 'friday': '19:00 doors, varies', 'saturday': '19:00 doors, varies', 'sunday': 'varies by show'}
The Fillmore Philadelphia on East Allen in Fishtown is the 2,500-capacity Live Nation room inside the old Ajax Metal factory, with a separate Foundry stage.
Tip: Doors typically 19:00; the GA floor has the rail, the mezzanine has the seats. The Foundry runs smaller shows on the same nights.
World Cafe Live ★ 4.5
$$University City{'monday': 'closed', 'tuesday': '10:00-22:00', 'wednesday': '10:00-22:00', 'thursday': '10:00-22:00', 'friday': '10:00-22:00', 'saturday': '17:00-22:00', 'sunday': 'closed'}
World Cafe Live on Walnut Street in Philadelphia is the nonprofit independent music venue near 30th Street Station, with the 600-cap Music Hall.
Tip: The Lounge upstairs runs the intimate 200-cap listening sets; the downstairs Music Hall is the full-band room. Tuesday through Saturday open from 10:00.
Theatre of the Living Arts ★ 4.3
$$South Street{'monday': 'varies by show', 'tuesday': 'varies by show', 'wednesday': 'varies by show', 'thursday': '19:00 doors, varies', 'friday': '19:00 doors, varies', 'saturday': '19:00 doors, varies', 'sunday': 'varies by show'}
The Theatre of the Living Arts on South Street is the 1,000-capacity Live Nation room in Philadelphia, with a standing-room floor, a balcony and a long bar.
Tip: Doors typically 19:00, headliner around 21:00. The mezzanine clears sight lines; the floor pit is the rail spot for taller crowds.
Ortlieb's ★ 4.4
$Northern Liberties{'monday': '17:00-02:00', 'tuesday': '17:00-02:00', 'wednesday': '17:00-02:00', 'thursday': '17:00-02:00', 'friday': '17:00-02:00', 'saturday': '17:00-02:00', 'sunday': '17:00-02:00'}
Ortlieb's on North 3rd in Northern Liberties is the independent Philadelphia music room and hot dog bar, with funk, jazz and indie bookings nightly.
Tip: Tuesday jazz jam runs free, hosted by former owner Pete Souders. Cheap tacos at the bar; the back room is the music space.
Chris' Jazz Cafe ★ 4.6
$$Center City{'monday': 'closed', 'tuesday': '12:00-00:00', 'wednesday': '12:00-00:00', 'thursday': '12:00-02:00', 'friday': '12:00-02:00', 'saturday': '17:00-02:00', 'sunday': 'closed'}
Chris' Jazz Cafe on Sansom Street is the long-running Philadelphia jazz club, with two sets a night Tuesday through Saturday and a tight room of bar.
Tip: Two sets nightly, typically 19:00 and 21:00 with the late set running to 02:00 Thursday through Saturday. Reserve a table at the rail.
Bok Bar ★ 4.7
$$$12 cocktails, $8 beers, walk-in onlySouth Philadelphia{'monday': 'closed', 'tuesday': 'closed', 'wednesday': '17:00-23:00', 'thursday': '17:00-23:00', 'friday': '17:00-00:00', 'saturday': '14:00-00:00', 'sunday': '14:00-21:00', 'note': 'seasonal, April through November'}
Bok Bar on the 8th floor of the old Bok vocational school in Philadelphia is the seasonal rooftop terrace with rotating chef residencies and the cleanest.
Tip: Open April through November, Wednesday through Sunday. Weather rules: closes for heat advisories, rain or temperatures below 60F.