As the site of some of the nation’s first gay rights protests in the mid-1960s at Independence Hall, Philadelphia has long lived up to its gay-friendly billing. The following is an overview of the thriving Wash West scene and other key Center City spots, as well as gay-friendly New Hope, a charming arts community about 45 minutes away in Bucks County.

• Bump – Philadelphia’s newest bar is a "luxe-lounge" with an after hours restaurant and juice bar on Friday and Saturday nights, and a "beef and drag" brunch on Sundays featuring drag queens and body builders. 13^th & Locust Streets, (215) 732-1800
• Judy’s Café – This community landmark, serving new American comfort food, is also home to a lively bar. 3^rd & Bainbridge Streets, (215) 928-1968
• Millennium Coffee – It’s all about location at this bustling coffee house, which sits between the popular Afterwords magazine-gift shop and the 12th Street Gym. 212 S. 12^th Street, (215) 731-9798
• More Than Just Ice Cream – As its name implies, this café serves salads, sandwiches and entrees, in addition to luscious sundaes and a deep-dish apple pie. 1119 Locust Street, (215) 574-0586
• Trust – This hip restaurant-bar with a menu of globally inspired tapas is the first of many Tony Goldman restaurants slated to open in Center City. 121-127 S. 13th Street, (215) 629-1300
• Venture Inn – The handsome, club-like restaurant-bar dishes out hearty portions of steak and pasta.
  255 S. Camac Street, (215) 545-6850
• Where Else Cafe and Islas – Cuban-inspired sandwiches, salads and brunch selections are served in a funky, storefront atmosphere. 301 S. 11^th Street, (215) 733-0482

• Bike Stop – Leather and Levi’s are the standard attire at this four-level bar and club where each floor is a new adventure. 206 S. Quince Street, (215) 627-1662, www.thebikestop.com
• Joey G’s Tavern on Camac – Patrons are encouraged to sing along to their favorite show tunes at this piano bar and cabaret room. 243 S. Camac Street, (215) 545-0900
• Shampoo – Friday nights feature a potent mix of go-go boys, drag queens and the latest club music from nationally known DJs. 417 N. 8^th Street, (215) 922-7500, www.shampooonline.com
• Sisters Restaurant & Nightclub – Philadelphia’s largest women’s bar has a restaurant, dance area, lower level game room and a popular Sunday brunch buffet. 1320 Chancellor Street, (215) 735-0735
• 12^th Air Command – This multilevel bar-restaurant has a second floor dance area and outdoor roof deck. 254 S. 12^th Street, (215) 545-8088, www.12thair.com

• The 2-4 Club – This after-hours club is the place to go at 2 a.m. when all of the other bars close. 1221 St. James Place, (215) 735-5772, www.2-4club.com
• Uncles – Cozy bar caters to the 40-plus crowd. 1220 Locust Street, (215) 546-6660
• Woody’s Bar & Restaurant – Philadelphia’s best known gay bar is crowded almost every night of the week especially on Saturday evenings. 202 S. 13^th Street, (215) 545-1893

• Afterwords – Gift shop offers magazines of every stripe, cards, art posters and unique gifts.
  218 S. 12^th Street, (215) 735-2393
• AIA Bookstore – Although mainly a storehouse for books on architecture and urban planning, AIA also sells design-oriented home accessories, ties and watches. 117 S. 17^th Street, (215) 569-3188, www.aiaphila.safeshopper.com
• Giovanni’s Room – One of the nation’s oldest gay bookstores features a wide selection of gay, lesbian and feminist titles. 345 S. 12^th Street, (215) 923-2960, www.giovannisroom.com
• Pangea – An array of plants, fresh cut flowers and stylish accessories for the garden are available at this fragrant shop. 265 S. 10^th Street, (215) 351-1128
• Sparacino Mens – This haven for fashionable men is a designer showcase for Todd Oldham Jeans, Verge Swim, 2xist as well as the house label. 701 S. 3^rd Street, (215) 922-4211; 218 S. 20^th Street, (215) 636-9001, www.sparacinomens.com

• Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts – The new $265 million facility is home to The Philadelphia Orchestra, Peter Nero and the Philly Pops and several other performing groups.
  Broad & Spruce Streets, (215) 893-1999, www.kimmelcenter.org
• Prince Music Theater – Named for Broadway great Harold Prince, the theater is a venue for new musical theater and cabaret acts. 1412 Chestnut Street, (215) 972-1000,
  www.princemusictheater.org
• William Way Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Transgender Community Center – One of the nation’s few gay and lesbian community centers built with federal funds is home to a number of community groups and the host of many regular events. 1315 Spruce Street, (215) 732-2220, www.waygay.org

• Gay Bingo – The wildly popular bingo fundraiser, featuring drag queens on roller skates, takes place almost every month and benefits AIDS Fund Philadelphia. (215) 731-9255, www.aidswalkphilly.org
• Blue Ball – Circuit party weekend fundraiser is held each January for Philadelphia FIGHT.
  (215) 985-4850, www.blueballphilly.com
• PrideFest America – One of the nation’s largest gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender symposia and festivals takes place every spring. (215) 732-FEST, www.pridefestamerica.com
• Philadelphia International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival – Held each July, it’s the largest gay film festival on the East Coast. (215) 733-0608, ext. 701, www.phillyfests.com/piglff

• Westin Philadelphia at Liberty Place – A Pride Rate of $139 includes a deluxe guest room with the Westin’s Signature Heavenly Bed and new Heavenly Bath. 99 S. 17^th Street, (800) 937-8461, www.starwood.com/westin
• The Alexander Inn – Located in the heart of Philadelphia’s "gayborhood," the gay-owned and operated 48-room hotel offers a complimentary breakfast buffet. Packages start at $99 per night.
  12^th & Spruce Streets, (877) Alex-Inn, www.alexanderinn.com

When Philadelphia’s lesbians and gay men crave a day or weekend in the country close to home, they head to New Hope. This funky, artsy community boasts interesting shops, good restaurants, several gay bars and an active cabaret and theater scene – all surrounded by bucolic farms and rustic covered bridges.

• Bucks County Playhouse – Musical comedy fans can take in a production of shows such as South Pacific, Oliver or Grease, with casts that might include your favorite soap or sitcom star.
  70 S. Main Street, (215) 862-2041, www.buckscountyplayhouse.com
• The Cartwheel – This casual, friendly bar-restaurant plays host to popular DJs and is welcoming to lesbians, as well as gay men. 437 Old York Road (Route 202), (215) 862-0880
• Odette’s – Situated in a 200-year-old stone inn, this restaurant-bar presents a mix of up-and-coming local performers and nationally known cabaret acts like Julie Wilson, Sam Harris, Eileen Fulton and Ann Hampton Callaway. South River Road, (215) 862-3000, www.odettes.com
• The Raven – Popular with men, this club-like complex is a kind of mini-resort, offering several bars, a fine dining restaurant, a 17-room motel and a popular pool and sundeck. 385 W. Bridge Street, (215) 862-2081

The Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation is a non-profit organization dedicated to generating awareness of and visitation to Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery Counties. For more information about travel to Philadelphia, visit www.gophila.com or call the new Independence Visitor Center, located in Independence National Historical Park, at (800) 537-7676.

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