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.
Downstage @ the Mann
This season, the Mann debuted a brand-new seating option: onstage. That’s right. For select shows, the regular seats and lawn are closed off, and the audience sits right up there with the performers. There’s only one Downstage @ the Mann show left this season (sorry; you just missed Nigerian Afrobeat master Femi Kuti), but you can still get tickets for the Resistance Revival Chorus on October 7th. 5201 Parkside Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19131, manncenter.org/downstage.
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.
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.
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.
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. 45 East Afton Avenue, Yardley, PA 19067, krysset.shop.
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.
City Winery
A chain music venue? In the glorified mall that’s the Fashion District, née the Gallery? With a name like City Winery? Yeah, we were skeptical. But the fact is, this place offers an intimate, high-quality experience — with pristine sound and excellent production standards — like no other in the city. Oh, and the wine is great, too. How often can you say that about a music venue? 990 Filbert Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, citywinery.com/philadelphia.
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.
The Living Room at 35 East
Imagine if a professional sound crew turned your favorite hangout room into a spot where impressive local acts and touring musicians liked to stop by and jam. That’s this place. (And it’s BYO, too!) 35 East Lancaster Avenue, Ardmore, PA 19003, thelivingroomat35east.com.
The Fillmore
When we heard that someone was converting a former World War II munitions factory in Fishtown into a 2,500-person music venue, we pictured a drab, soulless cavern (cough, Electric Factory). Thank God we were wrong. The concert hall is sleek, the bars are well staffed (never miss three songs while waiting for a drink again!), and the sight lines are so good, you won't find a bad seat in the house. It's the all-grown-up-yet-totally-cool venue we've been waiting for. 29 East Allen Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123, thefillmorephilly.com.
Anchor Rock Club
If you like the aesthetic and programming of Johnny Brenda’s and Union Transfer, you’ll love this indie venue within feet of the Atlantic Ocean. It’s the brainchild of South Philly Tap Room and American Sardine Bar owner (and now Atlantic City developer) John Longacre. This month, look for Guided By Voices (August 20th), the Mountain Goats (August 29), and Philly’s own Low Cut Connie (August 27th). 247 South New York Avenue, Atlantic City, NJ 08401, anchorrockclub.com.
The photo booth at North Bowl
Must we explain everything? 909 North 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123, northbowlphilly.com.
Rumble Boxing
A dark room, loud music, and 45 minutes to let out all your rage on round, surprisingly springy aqua bags. 1520 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102, rumble-boxing.com.