Callowhill: A Philly Nightlife Hub of Arts & Entertainment

Can’t-Miss Experiences

1. Experience some of Philly’s top performance and entertainment venues

The Philly nightlife scene is top-tier — and Callowhill knows how to party.

Folks can let loose at popular concert venues like Union Transfer and nearby Franklin Music Hall, dance the night away at Underground Arts and NOTO Philadelphia, or head off the beaten path at spots like the multipurpose art venue PhilaMOCA or beloved go-go dive The Trestle Inn.

For more, check out our Philly concert guide or learn more with our guide to Philly’s live music venues.

Franklin Music Hall   — Photo by A. Wendowski for Visit Philadelphia

2. Explore diverse restaurants and bars

Get your fill at a wide variety of eateries, including Latin American fare at El Purapecha and Parada Maimon, Asian favorites at Turmeric Indian Kitchen and Mr. Pig Korean BBQ, cafe treats at Cafe Lift and Elixr Coffee Roasters, all-American classics at Wood Street Pizza, and even cultural fusions like La Chinesca.

Thirsty? Find your drink of choice at hotspots like Prohibition Taproom, Love City Brewing, Doom, Triple Bottom Brewing and the nationally acclaimed Poison Heart — named one of 2024’s Best Bars in America by Esquire and one of 2025’s Restaurants of the Year by USA Today.

Parada Maimon   — Photo by N. Santos for Visit Philadelphia

3. Stroll The Rail Park, an elevated greenway and community space

Cutting through and overlooking Callowhill, The Rail Park repurposes the formerly unused Reading Railroad Viaduct with lush plantings, local artwork, giant wooden swings and elevated city views.

The space comes alive with community gatherings and free events throughout the year, including block parties, yoga and an annual Lunar New Year celebration — with plans to expand its footprint in the future.

Looking for the entrance to The Rail Park? Enter via Noble Street (off Broad Street), 12th Street or the stairs on the 1100 block of Callowhill Street.

  — Photo courtesy The Friends of the Rail Park

4. Get a crash course in the Philly arts scene

On top of being home to the Asian Arts Initiative and the Philadelphia Ballet headquarters, Callowhill hosts several artist-run galleries and exhibition spaces, like Vox Populi, Prism Arts Philadelphia, Pink Noise Projects and PRACTICE Gallery. Needless to say, First Friday — the city’s monthly citywide art crawl — is big here.

The neighborhood is also rich in large-scale murals, like 承前啓後 – The Past Supporting the Future by Eurhi Jones, Chenlin Cai and Yvonne Lung (on the Crane Community Center); Stamp of Incarceration by Shepard Fairey; Common Threads by Meg Saligman; Bound Together by Tim McFarlane; and A Tribute to Wilt Chamberlain by John Lewis.

Common Threads by Meg Saligman   — Photo by Visit Philadelphia

5. Get active, learn a new skill or just have fun

Shoot your shot at Philly Archery, reach new heights with rock climbing at Movement Callowhill or make new friends at the Crane Community Center — a staple of the Chinatown community that’s home to cooking classes, recreational sports, family programming and more.

Movement Callowhill   — Photo courtesy Movement Callowhill

Where to Stay

Being a stone’s throw away from the Pennsylvania Convention Center, Callowhill offers a selection of accommodations within the neighborhood, like the Kestrel Hotel and the Best Western Plus Philadelphia Convention Center, and nearby, like the Hampton Inn Philadelphia Center City and the Four Points by Sheraton City Center.

Local Tips

Ready to experience the area firsthand? Here are some tips to get you started:

• Callowhill is super walkable and offers easy access to several other great neighborhoods, including Spring Garden, Chinatown, Fairmount, Old City and the North Broad corridor.
• SEPTA’s B (Broad Street) subway line offers easy access to the neighborhood with stops at Vine Street and Spring Garden Street.
• Those looking to drive might find parking to be tight — especially during events — but parking lots can be found along Vine Street or Callowhill Street.