Where to Find the Best Nightlife in Pennsylvania
From cool cocktails to epic stargazing, discover the best of PA nightlife.
Spend an evening out in Pennsylvania, and you are sure to have an adventure you won’t soon forget. The state is oozing with places to explore — think cool cocktail bars that serve inventive libations, craft breweries where local musicians provide the soundtracks, top-notch improv clubs that elicit belly laughs, museums that stay open late for special programming, murder-mystery dinners hosted on a historic paddle boat and stargazing parties complete with high-powered telescopes.
Have we piqued your interest yet? Here are six nightlife scenes you need to check out in Pennsylvania.
In This Article
1. Philadelphia
If you’re looking to grab a pint of beer or a tasty cocktail, Philadelphia has all kinds of great watering holes that serve up added entertainment.
Bok Bar, for instance, is a rooftop terrace located in a former high school building that comes with views of the Philly skyline — not to mention it’s a place where neighbors can come together for sunset yoga, salsa lessons and drag shows.
Or check out SPIN Philadelphia, a ping-pong social club slinging tiki cocktails. Beyond the robust bar scene, more after-hours options in Philly include things like evening strolls through the Philadelphia Museum of Art, which stays open late on Fridays, and comedy shows at Helium Comedy Club or Punch Line Philly.
The city also has tons of live music venues to rock out at, from small intimate stages at places like Kung Fu Necktie to large venues such as The Fillmore Philadelphia. Or, if you dare, the Eastern State Penitentiary has a beer garden and summer twilight tours of the historic prison, which once housed notorious prisoners like “Scarface” Al Capone.
2. Pittsburgh
The ’Burgh and its environs boast a burgeoning brewery and inventive cocktail scene, with spots like The Church Brew Works, which is located in a restored Roman Catholic church, and Goodlander Cocktail Brewery, which pours refreshing strawberry mojitos and Moscow mules. The drinks are available in a to-go format so locals can take the craft beverages to barbecues or dinner parties.
Some other after-dark hangouts include the Buhl Planetarium & Observatory at Carnegie Science Center, which hosts SkyWatch stargazing with high-powered telescopes. Over at Arsenal Bowl in Lawrenceville, an old-school bowling alley turns into a nightclub, with DJs spinning late-night tunes while you knock down pins. Game lovers can also hit up Barcadia for arcade games like pinball and Mortal Kombat. Located in Market Square, the arcade stays open until 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturdays.
3. Bethlehem
Previously a manufacturing spot that made iron rail for railroads, the SteelStacks has been transformed into a bustling gathering spot, where residents and visitors mingle at restaurants, comedy shows and festivals.
Bethlehem keeps a busy social calendar, hosting all kinds of events at the SteelStacks, like Oktoberfest, the Improv Comedy Festival, the ¡Sabor! Latin Festival and music festivals.
Hip places to meet up with friends include Musikfest Café, a concert venue and restaurant, and Social Still, a kitchen and micro distillery that serves craft cocktails made with in-house spirits. For a date night, get dressed up and head to The Bookstore Speakeasy, a swanky place to sip on seasonal cocktails while live jazz music sets an inviting mood.
4. Erie
Weekend nights in Erie are a choose-your-own adventure, from family summer movie nights in UPMC Park (which is where the Erie SeaWolves play baseball) to Lake Erie moonlight cruises aboard the Victorian Princess. The paddle wheel boat also hosts murder mystery cruises, which make for a fun date night.
Other nighttime options here include catching a show at the art deco-style Warner Theatre, listening to live music at Highmark Amphitheater & Liberty Park or shooting pool at local spots like Andy’s Pub or Bullfrog Bar. Another must-do activity? Gather a few friends and put your song requests in at Rack N Roll, a dive bar that’s renowned for its karaoke nights.
5. State College
Penn State University’s main campus lends a youthful vibe to State College, and campus amenities, like The Arboretum, are community treasures for those who never want to stop learning. In the summer months, for example, researchers from the anthropology department share cosmos-themed stories from cultures around the world during a stargazing event.
For more nighttime entertainment, The Blue Brick Theatre hosts Happy Valley Improv shows on Friday nights (it’s a BYOB affair!), and Zeno’s Pub is a campus-area tavern and local institution serving chicken tender baskets and beer on tap.
For those in search of live music, State College has several venues, including the Bryce Jordan Center and The State Theatre, and bars like The Saloon that book acts. For a brewery hangout, check out Happy Valley Brewing Co. Housed in a converted barn, it serves dishes like short rib nachos and a range of beer to suit a variety of tastes.
6. Harrisburg
From nightclubs and speakeasies to music venues, Harrisburg is a hub for nightlife. For those who want to dance the night away, Level 2 is a posh nightclub with bottle service and touring DJs. Locals can jam out at concerts at XL LIVE, a music venue that has an outdoor area shaded by a more than 200-year-old tree, plus two dozen beers on tap, slushies and a snack bar.
For a low-key night out with fellow cinema buffs, head to Midtown Cinema, an independent theater that hosts events like “Down in Front!” a monthly screening of hilariously bad movies that are ripped apart by commentators. Local brewery Zerøday has beer taps at the theater.
For dinner with friends, Federal Taphouse has 100 beers on tap as well as dishes like crab mac and cheese and Korean fried chicken sandwiches.
This article was sponsored by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.
