Boot & Saddle
What does Philly bluegrass sound like? How about experimental klezmer jazz? Find out at Broad Street's country-saloon-turned-musical-oasis. 1131 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, bootandsaddlephilly.com.
Union Transfer
The vaulted ceilings that once sheltered the red-sauce carnage of Spaghetti Warehouse are now reverberating with the beats of the city's hottest new mostly-indie music venue. And though with three full bars, a balcony and a sizeable standing-room floor, Union Transfer may seem as cavernous as the restaurant that preceded it, the space feels surprisingly intimate: It's plenty big enough for writhing around to Neon Indian, but also small enough for you to enjoy the folksy delicacy of Gillian Welch. 1026 Spring Garden Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123, utphilly.com.
World Cafe Live, Wilmington
What founder Hal Real did with the dilapidated (and that's putting it nicely) circa-1915 Queen Theater is nothing short of spectacular. 500 North Market Street, Wilmington, DE 19801, queen.worldcafelive.com.
Suzie Brown
Bluesy, folksy, achy, rich, sweet-voiced Suzie Brown: A practicing cardiologist pursuing a career in singing (her own songs) and playing the guitar, she's part Emmylou Harris, part Alison Krauss, and totally worth seeing. (Try Tin Angel.) Or even just hearing her debut album is calledSide Streets. Visit Her Website 00000, suziebrownsongs.com.
Tonino Montella
With the patience of a saint and a charming Italian accent -Montella will teach you and yours to play the guitar, banjo, mandolin or electric bass (he plays 'em all, professionally) over a series of laid-back $35-an-hour lessons. It so beats Banjo for Dummies. 806 South 9th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, toninomontella.com.
Johnny Brenda's
Readers' Choice: Since opening up in Fishtown nearly 10 years ago, Johnny Brenda's has clearly been the go-to Philly venue to hear up-and-coming artists. And why not? The sound is crystal clear, the beers are all local, and the room, which holds 250, is comfortable and has plenty of character. And thanks to a dedication to treating both customers and performers with respect, the indie concert hall has more than enough good karma to go around unusual in the normally dirty business of rock-and-roll. 1201 North Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19125, johnnybrendas.com.
L'Angolo
Here are a couple of musts when eating at this South Philly stalwart: You must make reservations. You must bring your own wine. You must order the antipasto, which has a changing selection of heavenly veggies sweet potato souffl, fried eggplant, marinated mushrooms. And you must split everything, so you can try it all: orecchiette with shredded duck, a ravioli special stuffed with broccoli rabe, a succulent breaded pork chop served with a mound of baby greens. (And you must try not to fall in love with the charming Italian-speaking staff.) 1415 West Porter Street, Philadelphia, PA 19145, salentorestaurant.com/langolorest.html.
Tyshawn Sorey
Photo-illustration by Leticia R. Albano Penn prof Sorey, who as a composer is a respected musical nonconformist, won the 2024 Pulitzer in Music for “Adagio (For Wadada Leo Smith),” his brooding, contemplative concerto for alto sax and orchestra. Sorey, a finalist for the award last year, blurs the lines between jazz and classical music, a breath of fresh air for a genre often perceived as buttoned-up — and a campus that’s been awash in controversy. tyshawnsorey.com.
Sound All Around
The Philadelphia Orchestra's weekly Sound All Around features storytelling, piano accompaniment and a musical demo from an Orchestra member, making it the ultimate pick for musical preschoolers. 1 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102, philorch.org/sound-all-around.
Curious and Co. Creative
The ladies at this Wynnewood-based design firm will take you and your brand, business, image or personality and translate it seamlessly to sparkling, elegant business cards, a website, stationery and invitations. The only thing left for you to do is live up to it all. P.O. Box 32, Wynnewood, PA 19096, curiousandcompany.com.
Alice Yorke
As co-director of groundbreaking theater company Lightning Rod Special, this 33-year-old South Philly actress conceived 2019’s highly controversial abortion musical (yes, an abortion musical) The Appointment, which picky New York Times theater critic Ben Brantley called a “profoundly imaginative … remarkable phantasmagoria.” Lightningrodspecial.com.
Ardmore
Suddenly we turn around, and instead of empty storefronts, there’s a cool cocktail-and-whiskey bar in Ripplewood, a first-date destination at the Bercy, a restaurant with live belly-dancing at Marokko, the still-fun Ardmore Music Hall, and a new acoustic-oriented music venue in the Living Room at 35 East, all of which we’re happily shoving in the faces of our most snooty urbanite friends.
Brooklyn Bowl
Because why wouldn’t we want our bowling with a side of live music — not to mention fried chicken and boozy milkshakes? This month, look for the Adult Swim Festival Block Party with RJD2 and Hop Along, but keep your eyes open for weekend matinees for the whole family with the Rock and Roll Playhouse, which specializes in kids’ shows featuring music you’ll enjoy as well, like Bob Marley and David Bowie. 1009 Canal Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123, brooklynbowl.com/philadelphia.
Krysset
Now more than ever, the old saying is true: When you support a small business, you support a dream. At Bucks County’s new Krysset, shoppers support the dreams of many. The female-owned lifestyle store from Jessica Gebauer is filled with feel-good wares sourced from indie makers and sustainable businesses across North America. Head here for hostess and housewarming gifts that double as instant conversation starters. 6 South Main Street, Yardley, PA 19067, krysset.shop.
Vinyl Chickie
Photograph by Jeff Fusco Glenside’s Lisa Schaffer has always been a music fan: She’s professionally photographed pop stars such as Taylor Swift and worked at a Chestnut Hill record store for six years. Now she’s opened this adorable record paradise with a tightly curated collection of new and near-perfect-condition used vinyl that includes a local section, plus turntables and all sorts of fun music gifts, like Grateful Dead tarot cards and song lyric stickers. 2256 Mount Carmel Avenue, Unit 2, Glenside, PA 19038, vinylchickie.com.