Fishtown: Where Art, Eats & Action Collide

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1. Rally your crew and catch a show

Laugh out loud or sing at the top of your lungs in one of Philly’s most creative ʼhoods.

Top music venues The Fillmore epi The Foundry host national touring acts and rising stars, plus frequent dance parties. Comedians (and the occasional drag brunch) set up shop daily at Liy final Philly, while emerging musicians cut their teeth at Johnny Brenda’s.

The Fillmore   — Photo courtesy The Fillmore

2. Enjoy some friendly competition

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.

3. Dine at local hotspots and award-winning eateries

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, enkli 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), Klèb Timoun nan Mitan (breakfast and sandwiches), and vegan darling Dottie’s Donuts, round out the delicious offerings.

Kalaya   — Foto pa D. Knoll pou Visit Philadelphia

4. Drink like a fish

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 epi Bottle Bar East; wine at Kav Mural City; margs at LMNO; handcrafted cocktails at Rechèch ak Devlopman; or award-winning whiskeys at Lloyd.

5. Find something unexpected at local boutiques

Shop to your heart’s content at an eclectic mix of independent storefronts, like Libreri Harriet, Philly TCG for rare additions to your trading card collection, Toile boutique for stylish fits and Philadelphia Record Exchange for hard-to-find vinyl.

Libreri Harriet   — Foto pa Visit Philadelphia

6. Relax at Penn Treaty Park

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 Pak Penn Treaty, the 10-acre riverfront space boasts greenery, skyline views, playgrounds and dog-walking paths.

  — Photo by M. Kennedy for Visit Philadelphia

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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 ak Riversuites at The Battery.

Standard King at Hotel Anna & Bel   — Photo courtesy Hotel Anna & Bel

Konsèy lokal

Ou pare pou w dekouvri katye a poukont ou? Men kèk konsèy pou kòmanse:

• Keep an eye out: Once the epicenter of the commercial shad-fishing industry (hence the name), Fishtown pays homage to that history with fun elements — like fish-shaped trashcans and address signs.
• Make it a hassle-free trip by taking SEPTA’s L (Market-Frankford) subway line to Girard Station.
• Note that parking can be limited — especially on weekends. If you’re driving, give yourself extra time to find a metered spot or consider ridesharing.

Watch: It’s a Fishtown Thing