The patio is open year-round, with heat lamps making the spot a draw even in the winter. Small bites from Sampan’s are available as well. There’s a daily cocktail special, as well as beer and wine. The walls and tables are all tagged by local graffiti artists, displaying an eye-popping array of color that gives the Graffiti Bar a punk-hip-hop vibe. It might be hard to find, but you’ll know you’re there once you see it.
The Graffiti Bar is in the alley behind Sampan’s pan-Asian restaurant, surrounded by a chain-link fence. It’s atypical in part because of its location. Graffiti Bar $$ - This patio bar is the place to unwind in an unconventional environment. Photo: Sampan Restaurant Philadelphia/Facebook Where: 1342 Cypress St, Philadelphia, PA 19107 Go for a cerebral, artistic atmosphere while you drink. Writer’s Block Rehab is also known for its unusual decorations, like chandeliers made of globes, bookshelf wallpaper, and a giant Scrabble mural. Browse through the upstairs library and then head downstairs to lounge on a sofa with a Martini. Writer’s Block Rehab $$ - Most people don’t expect to find a library in a bar, but Writer’s Block Rehab (don’t let the name fool you, it is an actual bar) makes it seem as natural a combo as peanut butter and jelly. Where: 259 S 15th St, Philadelphia, PA 19102 It’s also one of the few dive bars where you’ll actually want to use the bathroom, as McGlinchey’s restroom is tagged by so many graffiti artists that it’s practically a piece of art in and of itself. Grab a booth, split a pitcher of beer, and munch on 75-cent hot dogs. It’s a great place to hang out with friends on a budget. McGlinchey’s $ - With its grungy, down-to-earth atmosphere, McGlinchey’s is a true dive bar. Where: 530 South St, Philadelphia, PA 19147 If that’s not enough to make you love this spot, there are two happy hours every day (one from 5:00-7:00 PM and a later one from 10:00-11:00 PM) as well as alternative events like SLAYHer, which is a heavy metal drag show. Vegans love it for its vegetarian menu with options like veggie corn dogs.
The bar focus is on beer and custom, often off-beat, cocktails like the Xmas Punk (a holiday cocktail with applejack, Port, and ginger liqueur) and Pickletini (yes, that’s a pickle-flavored Martini). Tattooed Mom $ - Tattooed Mom embraces South Street’s special style.