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Dirty Frank's is a legendary dive bar.
Dirty Frank's is a legendary dive bar.
Photo: Theme Park Review

Here Are 9 of the Most Iconic Philly Dive Bars

by Collin Flatt
9 comments / new
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Dirty Frank's is a legendary dive bar.
| Photo: Theme Park Review
by Collin Flatt
9 comments / new

Philly will always be a blue collar town, and that's quite alright. And even though we're going through a serious dining renaissance, there will be 50 dive bars for every decent restaurant. Some of these places have been open for decades, and many have reached cult status with their regulars. While it is important that the craft cocktail movement is gathering steam locally, lets not forget about the neighborhood gems that fly under the radar and are just as good, if not better.

Here, we've listed the 9 Most Iconic Dive Bars in Philly, which means there's probably about 53,213 that we missed. Feel free to give your favorite a shout-out in the comments section, and tell everyone what makes it so damn great. After all, finding a place that will serve you even though you're wearing grease-stained sweatpants is more useful than anything else in the world.

· All Cocktail Week Coverage [~EPHI~]
· All Booze News [~EPHI~]

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Note: Restaurants on this map are listed geographically.

Oscar's Tavern

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Oscar's is one of the go-to dive bars for the young professional set, but never attracts a douchey crowd. Don't want the 23 oz lager? Get a Dogfish Head, which is on draft, as well.
1524 Sansom St, Philadelphia, PA 19103

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Dirty Frank's

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Dirty Frank's is Philly's most famous dive bar, and attracts the most eclectic crowd around. There are plenty of folding chairs and jug wine to keep everyone happy, and shots are damn cheap.
347 S 13th St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 732-5010
(215) 732-5010

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McGlinchey's

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McGlinchey's is one of Philly's darkest and smokiest watering holes, but it's also one of the most beloved. If you've got a hankering for an Old Fashioned, they actually make a pretty decent version.
259 S 15th St, Philadelphia, PA 19102
(215) 735-1259
(215) 735-1259

Ray's Happy Birthday Bar

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South Philly has more than a few great dive bars, and Ray's is right at the top. Who needs a fridge box when you can keep all of your cans in a trashbag filled with ice? Ray's rules.
1200 E. Passyunk Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 365-1169
(215) 365-1169

Bob & Barbara's Cocktail Lounge

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Bob & Barbara's is one of the dive bar originals and was moving hundreds of Pabst cans before the hipster set made it an official outfit accessory. Also, they have a drag show. What else do you need to know?
1509 South St, Philadelphia, PA 19146
(215) 545-4511
(215) 545-4511

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Stokes' Sports Bar

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There are tons of sports-focused dives in South Philly, but Stokes is our favorite. Larry the Bartender pours out really cheap drinks, and while there isn't a kitchen in the building, don't be surprised to see the locals bring homemade food to share with the patrons.
2651 S 16th St, Philadelphia, PA 19145
(215) 271-2783
(215) 271-2783

Doobie's

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Doobie's straddles that line of craft beer bar and dive perfectly. The clientele is certainly blue collar, the vibe is unpretentious, and the beer selection is top-notch.
2201 Lombard St, Philadelphia, PA 19146
(215) 546-0316
(215) 546-0316

The Locust Bar

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The Locust Bar is located in a neighborhood filled with high-end restaurants and bars. But the Locust stays packed with solid bartenders, cheap food, and an old-school corner bar vibe that is surprisingly hard to find these days.
235 S 10th St., Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 925-2191
(215) 925-2191

12 Steps Down

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12 Steps anchors the Italian Market neighborhood, and defines the term "neighborhood bar." 12 Steps is full of industry folks which is usually a good sign. Usually.
831 Christian St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 238-0379
(215) 238-0379

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Oscar's Tavern

1524 Sansom St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Oscar's is one of the go-to dive bars for the young professional set, but never attracts a douchey crowd. Don't want the 23 oz lager? Get a Dogfish Head, which is on draft, as well.
1524 Sansom St, Philadelphia, PA 19103

Dirty Frank's

347 S 13th St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Dirty Frank's is Philly's most famous dive bar, and attracts the most eclectic crowd around. There are plenty of folding chairs and jug wine to keep everyone happy, and shots are damn cheap.
347 S 13th St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 732-5010
(215) 732-5010

McGlinchey's

259 S 15th St, Philadelphia, PA 19102
McGlinchey's is one of Philly's darkest and smokiest watering holes, but it's also one of the most beloved. If you've got a hankering for an Old Fashioned, they actually make a pretty decent version.
259 S 15th St, Philadelphia, PA 19102
(215) 735-1259
(215) 735-1259

Ray's Happy Birthday Bar

1200 E. Passyunk Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19147
South Philly has more than a few great dive bars, and Ray's is right at the top. Who needs a fridge box when you can keep all of your cans in a trashbag filled with ice? Ray's rules.
1200 E. Passyunk Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 365-1169
(215) 365-1169

Bob & Barbara's Cocktail Lounge

1509 South St, Philadelphia, PA 19146
Bob & Barbara's is one of the dive bar originals and was moving hundreds of Pabst cans before the hipster set made it an official outfit accessory. Also, they have a drag show. What else do you need to know?
1509 South St, Philadelphia, PA 19146
(215) 545-4511
(215) 545-4511

Stokes' Sports Bar

2651 S 16th St, Philadelphia, PA 19145
There are tons of sports-focused dives in South Philly, but Stokes is our favorite. Larry the Bartender pours out really cheap drinks, and while there isn't a kitchen in the building, don't be surprised to see the locals bring homemade food to share with the patrons.
2651 S 16th St, Philadelphia, PA 19145
(215) 271-2783
(215) 271-2783

Doobie's

2201 Lombard St, Philadelphia, PA 19146
Doobie's straddles that line of craft beer bar and dive perfectly. The clientele is certainly blue collar, the vibe is unpretentious, and the beer selection is top-notch.
2201 Lombard St, Philadelphia, PA 19146
(215) 546-0316
(215) 546-0316

The Locust Bar

235 S 10th St., Philadelphia, PA 19107
The Locust Bar is located in a neighborhood filled with high-end restaurants and bars. But the Locust stays packed with solid bartenders, cheap food, and an old-school corner bar vibe that is surprisingly hard to find these days.
235 S 10th St., Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 925-2191
(215) 925-2191

12 Steps Down

831 Christian St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
12 Steps anchors the Italian Market neighborhood, and defines the term "neighborhood bar." 12 Steps is full of industry folks which is usually a good sign. Usually.
831 Christian St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 238-0379
(215) 238-0379

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