Best places to drink in Philly on New Year’s Eve

On By Littum

Instructions

A thoroughly goth celebration in a pub in the Old City. A disco with go-go dancing. A New Year’s Eve extravaganza with SNACKTIME. This is where you want to raise a glass when the clock strikes midnight.

SNACKTIME at Brooklyn Bowl’s 2023 New Year’s Eve Party. / Photograph by Jordan August

So here you are. New Year’s Eve is fast approaching and you still haven’t figured out where you want to spend the night in 2025.

But it’s cool, friend. Finding a last minute place to raise a drink or two while 2024 shows the door is accurate the kind of party emergencies we are well equipped to handle. So relax, pull on your drinking socks, and take a look at this list of half a dozen game different ways to greet 2025 in the style you are most comfortable with.

Outdoors and with hundreds of your closest friends

Uptown Beer Garden, Center City

Celebrate the end of 2024 in the most Christmassy beer garden in town. They have two bars to keep you well hydrated, heaters to keep you from freezing to death, a live DJ, a midnight countdown, and probably one of the biggest crowds on this list. Latin Vibes Group is hosting the party, and tickets and table reservations are available now. 1500 John F. Kennedy Boulevard.

A house party with a midnight balloon

Love City Brewing, Callowhill

Love City is trying to make it easy for you this year with a direct home party. Free entry, no fancy clothes. It’s come-as-you-are, no reservations required, with drink specials, dancing, great music, a secret live performance and a midnight balloon. Because who doesn’t love a balloon drop? 1023 Hamilton Street.

With the Goths, on top of the Khyber Pass

Khyber Pass Pub, Old Town

Yes. It’s an absolutely fantastic New Year’s dance party on top of Khyber. Special offer with themed drinks and a champagne toast at midnight. Find all the details right here. 56 South 2nd Street.

Featuring Jason Kelce’s favorite local band

Brooklyn toast, Northern Freedoms

Philly’s own seven-piece, brass-heavy, funk/punk/hip-hop party band TALK TIMEperforming a show at the Brooklyn Bowl in Fishtown on New Year’s Eve. Dubbed “Snacktime 2025: A Spaceluv Odyssey,” the party will include themed drink specials, special guests, a DJ and more. Plus, if you head down to Brooklyn Bowl to check out SNACKTIME on NYE, you can say you were a fan before they started their gig as the house band at Jason Kelce’s new ESPN talk show. The only downside here? You must have your tickets for the performance through Ticketmaster. 1009 Canal Street.

The Twisted Tail is celebrating their 11th Annual Burlesque & Blues New Year’s Eve Party. / Photograph by Reel Media Agency

With Burlesque & Blues

The twisted tail, Society Hill

The Twisted Tail celebrates their 11th annual Burlesque & Blues New Year’s Eve this year with a four-course dinner, live music by Mikey Jr. and his band in the Juke Joint upstairs, burlesque performances and a champagne toast when the bell strikes. 12pm You can get the all-inclusive VIP experience by booking The Charleston tier ticket for $179, or just enjoy the party and champagne toast at midnight by booking The Jive ticket. Go here for more details and book today – tickets for this are going fast! 509 South 2nd Street.

On the waterfront with sausages

Craft hall, Northern Freedoms

Craft Hall teams up with Morgan’s Pier for a huge double-decker party to ring in 2025. From 21.00 to 1 a.m., there will be live music on the lower level, a DJ and dance floor upstairs, plus an open bar, party favors and hot dogs all night long. This one requires a ticket, so get yours here. 901 North Delaware Avenue.

With the professionals

Tattooed motherQueen Village

If you’re already on South Street on New Year’s Eve, you’ll have no trouble finding a place to grab a drink. But if you want to skip the amateur classes and hang with the pros – good people who know how to keep a party going – then pop into TMom’s for their NYE party. There are no reservations, no cover, the kitchen is open late, plus there are special holiday cocktails and free party swag. IMPORTANT TIP: If you’re thinking of hitting up TMom’s, show up EARLY. The place fills up quickly and probably won’t empty until last call. 530 South Street.

With Whiskey, Disco balls and Go-Go dancers

Trestle Inn, Spring garden

DJs spinning disco on vinyl, go-go dancers on the floor, whiskey cocktails at the bar and a champagne toast at midnight. Tickets are $60 and the party starts at 8 p.m. What else do you need to know? 339 North 11th Street.

Keeping It Simple on South Street

Bob and Barbara, Sydgade

No cover, no dress code, no reservations required. The doors open at 16.00, and the bar closes at 02.00. There will be live DJs, a dance party and when midnight comes, everyone will be making noise. It might not be the coolest party in town, but if you just want to hang out at the bar, surrounded by friends and neighbors, and toast the new year with a Citywide, then this is definitely the place for you. 1509 South Street.