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Fishtown District
The energy in Fishtown is unrivaled.
Located just northeast of Center City, the waterfront community got its start as a blue-collar neighborhood and industrial powerhouse, as told by its historic warehouses, rowhomes and deeply rooted community.
Once the city’s most exciting up-and-coming neighborhood, Fishtown has officially graduated to a full-fledged harbor of artistic, culinary and musical action, with an ever-growing collection of restaurants, entertainment, shops, galleries and events, like the Fishtown Music and Arts Festival and the Fishtown Beer Festival.
Read on for a guide to Fishtown, curated with help from the Fishtown District.
Laugh out loud or sing at the top of your lungs in one of Philly’s most creative ʼhoods.
Top music venues The Fillmore and The Foundry host national touring acts and rising stars, plus frequent dance parties. Comedians (and the occasional drag brunch) set up shop daily at Punch Line Philly, while emerging musicians cut their teeth at Johnny Brenda’s.
The Fillmore — Photo courtesy The Fillmore
It’s all fun and games for competitive types at these elite entertainment destinations.
Unleash your inner Tiger (Woods) at Five Iron Golf, a high-tech golfing experience featuring food, drink and big-screen simulators. Rock and roll (literally) at Brooklyn Bowl, a 24-lane bowling alley that doubles as a live concert venue. Or revisit dozens of old school arcade games over craft brews at Barcade.
The best and brightest in Philly dining — on both sides of the table — come to play in Fishtown.
The neighborhood touts one of the densest concentrations of restaurants opened by James Beard Award-nominated chefs, including Suraya (Lebanese bites), Kalaya (Thai cuisine) and Elwood (Pennsylvania Dutch fare).
Other nationally acclaimed restaurants include Pizzeria Beddia, Bastia (Sardinian and Corsican dining) and Amy’s Pastelillos (Puerto Rican comfort food).
Local hotspots, like Joe’s Steaks + Soda (cheesesteaks), Murph’s Irish pub (which actually serves Italian), Mamajuana Cafe Philly (Latin fusion), Middle Child Clubhouse (breakfast and sandwiches), and vegan darling Dottie’s Donuts, round out the delicious offerings.
Kalaya — Photo by D. Knoll for Visit Philadelphia
Fishtown’s reputation as a damn good place for a drink goes back to its time as an industrial neighborhood dominated by warehouses, factories and … breweries.
Quench your thirst with brews at Dock Street Brewing, Frankford Hall, Garage Fishtown, Other Half Brewing and Bottle Bar East; wine at Mural City Cellars; margs at LMNO; handcrafted cocktails at R&D; or award-winning whiskeys at Lloyd.
Shop to your heart’s content at an eclectic mix of independent storefronts, like Harriet’s Bookshop, Philly TCG for rare additions to your trading card collection, Toile boutique for stylish fits and Philadelphia Record Exchange for hard-to-find vinyl.
Harriet’s Bookshop — Photo by Visit Philadelphia
According to legend, Pennsylvania founder William Penn signed his treaty of peace with the local Lenape tribe under an elm tree just off the Delaware River in 1683.
Now known as Penn Treaty Park, the 10-acre riverfront space boasts greenery, skyline views, playgrounds and dog-walking paths.
— Photo by M. Kennedy for Visit Philadelphia
A variety of boutique hotels and accommodations are located right in the midst of all the action. Take your pick from Hotel Anna & Bel, Lokal Fishtown, Archway Fishtown and the Riversuites at The Battery.
Standard King at Hotel Anna & Bel — Photo courtesy Hotel Anna & Bel
Ready to experience the neighborhood firsthand? Here are some tips to get you started:
Philadelphia is a city of vibrant neighborhoods bordered by a region of charming towns, with each area owning a distinctive personality. Explore the neighborhoods and towns in and around Philadelphia — their storied streets, interesting attractions, buzzed-about restaurants and year-round happenings.
Use the menu above to explore Philadelphia Neighborhoods