Austrian Village
With its wizened waitresses and circa-1955 decor and heaping helpings of satisfying and delicious schnitzel, spaetzle, knockwurst, and tangy, tart, famous potato salad, the only thing missing at this 37-year-old biergrten are the von Trapp kids singing as you eat. Though the AV does come alive with the sound of music: an oom-pah-pah band plays Saturdays, sending spry polka dancers revolving on the tiny dance floor like dolls on a music box. And the prices dinners around $12, draft beers for $2.50 will have you loath to say Auf wiedersehen. 321 Huntingdon Pike, Rockledge, PA 19046, austrianvillage.com.
Free at Noon
The name of WXPN’s popular live music series at World Cafe Live pretty much says it all. Free at Noon just turned 20 and has — in nearly 1,000 concerts over the years — featured heavy hitters such as Lizzo, Jon Batiste, Brandi Carlile, Adele, and John Legend. xpn.org.
<em>Fantasia</em> x Philadelphia Orchestra
Way back in 1940, Walt Disney dazzled the world with Fantasia, a magical marriage of animation and classical music — the latter provided by the Philadelphia Orchestra under the baton of the legendary Leopold Stokowski. From January 2nd through 4th, our modern orchestra provides the live score during a screening of the film. philorch.ensembleartsphilly.org.
Astral Artists Center City Concerts
Starting each September, this Broad Street-based classical-music talent agency presents concerts featuring the next Yo-Yo Ma, Itzhak Perlman and Lang Lang. If you get to see mezzo-soprano Chrystal Williams in action, consider yourself lucky. 230 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102, astralartists.org.
Long in the Tooth
This no-frills shop is old-school in the best sense, with tunes cranking and a music-geek staff that's cool with you giving that obscure '70s Mexican hard-rock album a spin. Even cooler: If you've got cash, you can buy tickets for concerts at Union Transfer and Boot & Saddle here with no service fees. 2027 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, .
Bob and Barbara's
There's rarely a cover at this Philly dive bar, where a shot and a beer still cost just $3.50. And the talent lineup is always intriguing, from a twice-monthly country music hoedown and a funky Saturday-night guitar trio to the lounge-y sounds of Dena Miranda and the Mellowtones. 1509 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146, bobandbarbaras.com.
Franky Bradley's
There are bars that happen to have music, and then there's this place, whose whole second floor has been turned into a space for entertainment. On any given night, that might be a touring rock band, your favorite local act, or a Balkan dance party with the West Philadelphia Orchestra. 1320 Chancellor Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, frankybradleys.com.
Orchestra After 5
Show up at the Kimmel Center at 5 p.m. for drinks and surprises like acrobat performances and scavenger hunts. At 6:30 p.m., proceed directly into Marian Anderson Hall for an hour-long concert of masterworks. Stick around for casual conversations with Philadelphia Orchestra players. It’s perfect for those with short attention spans. These special events happen a few Thursdays during the season, so check the website for the ’24-’25 schedule. 300 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102, ensembleartsphilly.org.
David Michie Violins
Photograph by Jeff Fusco For more than 30 years, Michie has operated his Locust Street storefront to help musicians on their stringed journey — from sizing and selecting their instruments and bows in a Harry Potter-esque setting to providing expert repairs quickly and with care. It doesn’t hurt that he’s a classically trained violinist himself. 1714 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, davidmichieviolins.com.
Marilyn Schwartz of Kids’ MusicRound
A warning: The first time you walk into one of Miss Marilyn’s music classes, you’re going to be overwhelmed. Babies are squealing and toddlers are dancing (the age-bracket sweet spot is newborn to about five years), and Miss Marilyn is bouncing around wildly and playing guitar, and you’ll come out wanting either a coffee or a cocktail. But loosen up and lean into it, and you’ll see what everyone else in Bucks County already knows: Miss Marilyn is the most fun person your kids will ever meet, and the single best way to get them to love music. (You might walk away with some cool new mom friends, too.) Follow her Facebook page for info on virtual class offerings. missmarilynkmr.com.
Frederick W. Oster Fine Violins
Photograph by Getty Images For 45 years, Oster has sold 17th-century instruments so expensive that he won’t even list some prices. If his luthiers are good enough to handle those masterpieces, you bet they’re good enough for your grandmother’s old fiddle. 507 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, Osterviolins.com.
Cunningham Piano Company
This 128-year-old company designs pianos from scratch and restores priceless Bosendorfers and Steinways for people all over the world. Additional location in Germantown, by appointment only. 198 Allendale Road, King of Prussia, PA 19406, cunninghampiano.com.
Atelier Jacobi
From his unassuming workshop in the BOK Building, seasoned technician Mark Jacobi makes repairs — and custom parts — for principals from the biggest-deal symphony orchestras in Pittsburgh, Dallas, and right here in Philly. 1901 South 9th Street, Suite 512, Philadelphia, PA 19148, NA.
A Minor Tune Up
Twenty years ago, Chris Cromer was a music education major at the University of Delaware with dreams of opening his own brass repair shop. These days, he performs tune-ups for horn players who tour with the likes of Justin Timberlake. 1704 North Scott Street, Wilmington, DE 19806, aminortuneup.com.
Gold Million Records
This nifty shop is an homage to vinyl, and a must-stop for diehard collectors, come-lately hipsters, and anyone looking for a present (bowls and clocks made from old albums) for a record fan. Or just a place to show the kids what the world was like before iTunes. 851 West Lancaster Avenue, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010, goldmillionrecords.com.