Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    The Barbary

    3.9 (206 reviews)
    InexpensiveBars, Music Venues
    Open Open 24 hours

    The Barbary Photos

    THE BARBARY ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Very loud
    DJ
    Live music
    Hipster

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - The Barbary

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Pinball machine
    Dave L.

    Randomly found ourselves at The Barbary one Thursday. At least I think it was. (Either way, there wasn't cover.) Walking in, we took stock of the situation: Photo booth? Check. Dance floor? Check. Good DJ? Double check. This bar is two floors of awesome. Took advantage of their friendly bartenders, then took advantage of the photo booth. Next time I'll be sure to play some pinball, indulge in falafel, and dance on a table.

    Shirley C.

    This ended up being a really fun place for a night of dancing (though I can't say I've really scoped out the clubbing scene in Philly)! We came on a Friday night around 1130, $5 cover and a very short line. There was a decent amount of people inside but it got really crowded after midnight. There are two dance floors upstairs and downstairs, definitely more crowded and clubby downstairs. I think it was 90s/2000s theme so a lot of fun throwbacks if you're a millennial. The drinks are reasonably priced and several different bars so you're not waiting to get the bartender's attention. The vibe was a little grungy/divey but surprisingly fun and unpretentious with a diverse crowd though probably mostly people in their twenties. Didn't seem to be any sort of dress code, definitely LGBTQ friendly, and minimal groping. Solid option for a more causal clubbing experience! Cash only.

    Jessica S.

    How has nobody added The Barbary to the Yelp mix?! Don't worry folks, I've got you covered. The Barbary has been newly revamped by JHN RDN (seriously - all caps, no vowels) of Hands and Knees and Crescendolls fame (or infamy, depending on your perspective). The Barbary has deep roots and been in existence since the late 60's. From what I've heard, the bar used to be a rock and roll bar that hosted a lot of not-so-well-known bands. The entrance opens up right on the dance floor with the bar lining the right-hand wall. The space is divided by a wall which creates both the dance floor and a sitting area with a few couches for lounging. There's also a photo booth and an ATM, which makes this homegirl's life better since the bar is cash only and my pockets are always empty. Now under Redden's reign it's become more of a dance venue for your local PBR-drinking, leggings-wearing, beard-sporting, tight jean-loving crowd. There's some type of DJ almost every night. Serious. Check the sched, it's pretty much every night (http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l313/greggforeman72/barbs_jan2.jpg). I'm not saying they are all fantastic DJs, in fact some are definitely iTunes DJs, but they're the jockeys of the discs/mp3s, so I guess they can get away with using the title. I've been the bar on varying nights during the week and on Fridays, and there's been a decent crowd each time. Even on weeknights it seems like a late crowd with people not wandering in until after 11pm. This past Friday was the most insane I've seen the bar yet. So packed it was difficult to even get in the door. The dance floor was completely insane with everyone rocking their shit to some sweet 60's rock. It was a great time until some jackass decided it would be funny to assault me on the dance floor. Screw you, jackass! You made my foot bleed! The walk is a bit unsavory if you're coming from Northern Liberties, as you have to walk through what I like to call The Abyss of Philadelphia - the intersection of Germantown Ave, Front Street, and Laurel Street underneath I-95. Honestly, just take that walk once. Even in broad daylight it's a little nerve-racking. So many roads converging in one place, yet there is never a single soul under there. The roads look as though they haven't been cleaned up in just about 3 decades. There's always garbage, broken glass, clothing, and weeds growing up out of the sidewalk. You'll want to watch your feet along the way. In fact, John Redden, if you want to start a clean up project around the bar. I'm in. Anything to make me less afraid of contracting Hepatitis along the way to a night out.

    a woman in a colorful dress

    See all

    8 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    11 months ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    5 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    8 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    16 years ago

    Helpful 19
    Thanks 0
    Love this 20
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 16
    Thanks 0
    Love this 14
    Oh no 1

    9 years ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    19 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 5
    Oh no 1

    18 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    14 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Bill M.
    1437
    1645
    1988

    17 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Renea R.
    127
    262
    2

    10 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Monica S.
    4119
    1284
    1350

    17 years ago

    Helpful 14
    Thanks 0
    Love this 24
    Oh no 0

    14 years ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 0
    Love this 12
    Oh no 0

    17 years ago

    Helpful 10
    Thanks 0
    Love this 12
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Hot dirty cheap fun place to dance your ass off. Don't bother going early but it's the perfect place to end a night of ridiculousness.

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 0
    Love this 6
    Oh no 0

    15 years ago

    Helpful 8
    Thanks 0
    Love this 13
    Oh no 0

    15 years ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 0
    Love this 6
    Oh no 0

    16 years ago

    Helpful 8
    Thanks 0
    Love this 6
    Oh no 0

    18 years ago

    Helpful 7
    Thanks 0
    Love this 7
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Rachel K.
    627
    41
    5

    15 years ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 0
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0

    19 years ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 0
    Love this 9
    Oh no 0

    17 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 7
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Mike S.
    224
    8
    0

    4 years ago

    Without a doubt the best hole in the wall place to go dance in fishtown. Oozes character

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Katie L.
    367
    29
    0

    16 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    18 years ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 0
    Love this 6
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Di P.
    293
    436
    130

    16 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    17 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 10
    Oh no 0

    14 years ago

    Helpful 7
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    15 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Steven C.
    375
    16
    2

    7 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Abby B.
    224
    44
    5

    10 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    14 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0

    16 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    19 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 7
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jessica W.
    25
    241
    17

    17 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 6

    Ask the Community - The Barbary

    What is the age limit?

    None over 18

    What's the price And age limit to get in and what are the hours?

    10pm it opens 21 years old to enter $5 to get in

    View All 6 Questions

    Review Highlights - The Barbary

    Sorted is a rad party, & The Bounce on 1st fridays is just as good, but the monthly throw-down of Live Forever (last sat.

    Mentioned in 3 reviews

    Read more highlights

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Bars 13,923 times last month within 10 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Fringe Bar

    Fringe Bar

    3.8
    (44 reviews)
    0.9 mi

    We went for restaurant week. Awesome menu! I'm gluten free and there were so many options. The…read morerestaurant has very high ceilings and is quite loud so it can be a bit hard to hear if you're looking for an intimate dinner. My drink was just so so and pricy

    Philly, we are not welcome here…read more Meet Henry, the manager at Fringe Bar. As a Northern Liberties resident, I've visited Fringe Bar several times and have generally enjoyed the experience before my recent experience with the manager. Unfortunately, my visit on June 13 around 4:30 PM completely changed my opinion of this establishment. My friend and I were seated and waited nearly 20 minutes before our food order was taken. Our server explained that their ordering system had gone down.... We were understanding and patient but to be honest it felt like she forgot. About 10 minutes later, we finally received our drinks, and our server shared that management had continued assigning her additional tables despite the issues, making it difficult for her to keep up. We sympathized with her and gave the staff plenty of grace. After waiting another 30 minutes, nearly an hour total since arriving, we still had not received our food. What made the situation even more frustrating was watching another table that arrived roughly 30 minutes after us receive their meals before we did. At that point, I approached Henry to ask about our order. I explained that we had been waiting for nearly an hour and that guests who arrived significantly later had already been served and they needed to hurry up with our food because we were hungry. Before I could even finish speaking, Henry interrupted me, stated that he would comp the food, and told us to leave. All I wanted was an explanation and asked that our order be prioritized after such a long wait. Instead of attempting to resolve the issue, Henry immediately escalated the situation and effectively removed us from the restaurant. The interaction felt dismissive, unprofessional, and completely lacking in customer service. Even another manager appeared surprised by how quickly our order was canceled and how the situation was handled. The entire experience left me feeling unwelcome and disrespected. Mistakes happen. Delays happen. What determines whether customers return is how management responds. Unfortunately, Henry's arrogance, poor communication, and inability to handle a reasonable customer concern ensured that I will never return. The attached photos include timestamps documenting our visit and the lengthy wait and a photo of Henry so you can avoid him. DO NOT COME.

    Photos
    Fringe Bar
    Cheese fries
    Cheese fries
    Nice can options

    See all

    Nice can options
    Cavanaugh's Riverdeck

    Cavanaugh's Riverdeck

    2.4
    (238 reviews)
    0.6 mi
    $$

    I visited from out of state to celebrate my birthday and attend the Roots Picnic and was excited to…read morevisit River Deck for their "Caribbean night" after friends my recommended it. We were coming from the festivsl and hadn't eaten much all day, so we decided to start with ordering food. We waited at three different bars before finally ordering, only to be told they were out of the item I paid for. When I tried to reorder, the bartender completely forgot I had already paid and never put in my replacement order. After finally realizing that she hadn't put my order in after 45 minutes, I asked for a refund. Her way of making it right was giving me a dry, unsauced 6-piece wing (which wasn't what I ordered - my replacement order was a 12pc wing tossed in "cav's sauce" which was around the same price as the egg rolls I ordered and paid for). I asked for a refund AGAIN and she said she'd have to get a manager. The bartender avoided me and the barback ignored me. At this point I was livid. After never getting my proper order, watching people around me eat and leave, being ignored, and NEVER speaking to a manager, I raised my voice out of frustration. Instead of her trying to rectify the situation, she calls security on me. I was escorted out by security without a chance to explain. Even after showing proof that I only ate part of the food because I was STARVING and explaining the situation calmly, the manager refused a refund. Unprofessional and disrespectful from start to finish.

    This was my first time at CRD in over 15 years and I'm so happy I rediscovered this amazing outdoor…read morefun Philly summer bar! Our bartender Dianne was a pleasure and made the vibe super fun and good! I didn't have a chance to try the food, but I can't wait to try it next time I'm back which will be soon. Thanks CRD Team and Dianne at main bar!

    Photos
    Cavanaugh's Riverdeck
    Cavanaugh's Riverdeck
    Cavanaugh's Riverdeck

    See all

    48 Record Bar

    48 Record Bar

    4.0
    (26 reviews)
    1.3 mi
    $$

    What a unique, curated, and enriching experience. The bar is upstairs of Sassafras, with a cozy…read moreclose stairwell leading upstairs. You'd be unlikely to find this unless you knew to look for it. The main feature of this bar is the cocktail menu; it's creative and ambitious and yet very approachable, with helpful adjectives for each cocktail. The Mango Sticky Rice made my jaw drop; not only did the juicy mango come through, but also somehow a sense of starchiness, while being entirely balanced with the liquor. Definitely some of the best cocktails in Philly. And the music and vibe is so cozy but lively; the live records spinning create a warm atmosphere that is not sleepy nor dancey, instead you'll find yourself tapping your feet and swaying in your seat while in deep conversation or just enjoyable contemplation. I have to shout out Carl and Brianna, who made our evening especially unforgettable. They guided us seamlessly through the menu, were so knowledgeable, friendly, and attentive. They really made 48 Record Bar feel like a second home we can't wait to return to. Last thing- the bathroom setup was such a fun surprise, you have to check it out!!

    I'm a bit of a cocktail bar snob, and 48 Record Bar is definitely on my short list. They have a…read morecreative menu full of thoughtful concoctions and interesting techniques. My two favorites are Born Again and Buck 48. The Born Again is a clarified punch that's super refreshing--almost leaning tart, but in a really good way. The Buck 48 is also refreshing, with warm, spicy notes that give it an autumn vibe, though honestly, it's great any time of year. If you're in the mood for something bold and boozy, I also recommend The Golden Ticket. My palate leans away from anything overly sweet or overpowering--I appreciate balance--and every cocktail I've had here hits just right. The only sad thing is that my favorite bartenderess is no longer there, but the staff is still awesome, and the music is always on point, which keeps the vibe strong. Just a heads-up: this cocktail bar is upstairs from Sassafras, and the menus are completely different. If you're looking for a true craft cocktail experience, make sure you're upstairs at 48 Record Bar. The atmosphere is great. I usually go on Saturday nights around 8 p.m. and have been lucky to grab a seat, though it definitely gets more crowded later. The fact that I've been back several times says a lot--especially since I usually only visit a place once with so many options in the city.

    Photos
    48 Record Bar
    48 Record Bar
    48 Record Bar

    See all

    Sassafras Bar

    Sassafras Bar

    4.4
    (457 reviews)
    1.3 mi
    $$

    I wish Jen and I had shown up in matching flapper dresses because Sassafras feels like stepping…read morestraight into the 1920s. Huge bar, giant wall of liquor bottles, dim lighting, and a cool old-school vibe. I told the bartender that ordering a beer in a place like this felt like I was insulting him. He laughed and told me not to worry about it. The drink special was called "Naked and Famous," which honestly sounded like the perfect cocktail to order in honor of Jen. But then I spotted a dark beer on the menu that sounded too good to pass up. If you follow me, you know I'm slowly becoming a dark beer guy. I liked it a lot. The sandwich special was a cheesesteak. Sorry, I should've taken a picture of the menu. But I really enjoyed it, and for $18 it came with a mountain of seasoned fries, which feels like a bargain these days. Bomb Shell: the two people working absolutely crushed it. I don't know if they were understaffed or if Monday night got busier than expected, but they were working their tails off the entire time. Even with that, they stayed polite, friendly, helpful, and incredibly accommodating to the guy carrying around a mannequin. Great visit to Sassafras!

    Found this on the first day of our trip and ended up going back the 2nd night as well. The drinks…read morewere such high quality and they had something for absolutely everyone. We also ordered a grilled cheese with sweet potato fries which was so so good. The service was top tier. I cannot recommend this place enough.

    Photos
    Bar
    Bar
    Pretzel
    Pretzel
    French 95

    See all

    French 95
    National Mechanics

    National Mechanics

    4.0
    (1k reviews)
    1.3 mi
    $$

    Such a Philly kind of day... a half hour meander from my office in the Gayborhood to Old City for…read morean entertaining evening at this bar. Tiny pockets of garden squares with burbling fountains. Cobblestone streets. Around every corner is a sign or plaque boasting about this city's history. From the outside, it looks like you're walking into an old bank. Inside, it's just about 6:00 PM and the place is packed for happy hour (one of the few places, by the way, that has happy hour until 7:00 PM) and for one of the monthly talks sponsored by local science museums. As soon as I walked in, they found us an open spot right up front. A cheery waiter took our order - the $8 burger sliders didn't come with any fries, but they were tiny and delicious. I love the idea that this place sponsors monthly science talks. Just a bunch of nerds all gathered here to listen to local experts talk about different topics. One week it might be about rare Galapagos birds to how to preserve fossils or the etymology of vampire lore.

    This spot is super fun, and the food is great. The breakfast burrito is probably the best one I've…read morehad in the entire east coast, which means a lot given I lived in Arizona for 10 years which is positively known for amazing breakfast burritos - and they largely suck here out east by comparison. THIS breakfast burrito is excellent. Service is also great here and I love the building/space!

    Photos
    National Mechanics
    Nachos Grande
    Nachos Grande
    The bar

    See all

    The bar

    The Barbary - bars - Updated July 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...