Philadelphia by Night

The darker side of Philadelphia can be seen in daylight, as well as after sundown! The place to do your daytime shopping is along South Street - where you will find numerous vintage/alternative clothing stores and Digital Ferret, one of the best gothic and industrial record stores in the country. At night, head out to events at Shampoo or the Trocadero and stay out until the sun rises!

Quick Tips:

Don't miss Tattooed Mom's on South Street for a drink and grub. The atmosphere is fun and the clientele have character. Check out the Reading Terminal market downtown for eclectic restaurants and shops. When staying downtown, check to see if your hotel has a restaurant or complimentary breakfast. There are very few options for food on weekend mornings! If you're wanting to stock up on any beer or liquor , make sure to do so early and before Sunday, as the blue laws will have all the state-run liqour shops closed down by then.

Best Way To Get Around:

Downtown Philly can be seen on foot. However, going further afield (such as South Street), will necessitate a taxi or car. Public transport does run throughout the city as well. I would recommend parking your car in one of the reasonably priced downtown lots and only using it when necessary. Finding a parking space near South Street can be a challenge. Be very attentive to the signs, as parking tickets can be VERY expensive!

It is amazing to find such a modern and clean hotel for $100 a night in downtown Philadelphia! Comparable hotels in the area frequently charge twice the price. I have stayed at the Hampton Inn Race Street twice and both times I have enjoyed the central location and clean, inviting rooms. The staff has been helpful and was very accommodating to our large group of over 200 people.

The proximity to the convention center is certainly a draw for most visitors, many of whom seem to be on business. However, the hotel is also very close to Philadelphia's Chinatown and the city center (including significant sites and shopping). If you are enjoying the Philadelphia nightlife, the Trocadero is a short 10 minute walk and Shampoo is a $5 cab ride. For daytime sightseeing, the Liberty Bell and Independence hall are within walking distance.

The hotel itself is quite well appointed. The rooms are very clean and I was very satisfied with both the standard double and the suite in which I stayed. There is an indoor pool and jacuzzi in the basement and the hotel offers a continental breakfast. If visiting on a weekend, make sure to take advantage of this as many local restaurants are closed until lunchtime!

For the price and location, you can't beat the Hampton Inn! Parking is available for a reasonable price in a lot one block away.

I have been to Joy Tsin Lau twice, with mixed reviews. It is a very popular restaurant located in the heart of Philadelphia's Chinatown. Thus, it is very convienent for visitors staying downtown near the Convention Center - where there are not many nighttime dining options. While it comes highly recommended, my experience at Joy Tsin Lau has been very hit or miss.

Joy Tsin Lau caters to a largely local clientele. The staff is friendly, but many of the waiters are not fluent in English. Be prepared to be patient and you will be able to communicate. The decor is traditional Chinese/Vietnamese. Fresh seafood is kept in tanks on the back wall. A karaoake machine will intermittently play a bi-lingual Happy Birthday song (!). They are able to accommodate reasonably-sized groups on short notice.

The menu selection at Joy Tsin Lau is large; you can find any of the usual Chinese selections as well as more unusual offerings. The first time I went to Joy Tsin Lau, I found the food to be standard Chinese fare. I had sweet and sour chicken, which is a very simple dish. It wasn't impressive or awful. The second time, however, myself and my group were completely underwhelmed by the preparation and service (which was unbeliveably slow). In fact, several of us got sick from chicken dishes and the duck dishes took over an hour to arrive. Due to that, I cannot highly recommend Joy Tsin Lau.

The Trocadero hosts many of Philadelphia's alternative concerts and events. It is a gorgeous building that dates back to the Victorian era. Listed in the historic register, it is the only 19th century Victorian theatres still in operation in the United States. The Trocadero has served as a Vaudeville hall, cinema and nightclub during it's long life.

The interior features two floors. The ground floor has the large dance floor and the upstairs has the bar and seating. This complicates matters a bit for those who drink and dance, as they will be navigating between the two floors often. The stairs at the Trocadero are narrow and steep. You should take caution when choosing footwear for the night, as many people (this writer included) have taken a tumble on them!

Feel free to dress to the nines when attending an event. The staff at the Troc (as it's affectionately known) are very tolerant of all manner of dress and style - as the Troc has played host to punk, goth, gay, and disco crowds depending on the night.

The Trocadero is currently alternating live acts and local event nights with a movie night (Monday). The schedule can be found on the website, along with ticket prices and directions.