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Exploring Gay Philadelphia
This itinerary combines history, dining, shopping and gay nightlife into a fun weekend in the City of Brotherly Love.
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Photo by R. Kennedy for GPTMC
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Location:
Center City Philadelphia: Rittenhouse Square, Old City, Bella Vista and beyond
Transportation:
On foot or in a taxi
Duration:
36 hours
Over the past few decades, the City of Brotherly Love has evolved into a place that lives up to its gay-friendly billing. Philadelphia has history on its side: It was the site of some of the nation’s first gay rights pickets, and in 1982 was one of the first cities in the country to pass an anti-gay discrimination law.
Today, the city is home to a large and vibrant gay and lesbian community — you can actually get to know some of Philadelphia's GLBT celebrities at We Your People.
At the heart of gay Philadelphia is Center City’s Washington Square West, a neighborhood of handsome town homes and charming, narrow back streets where many gay businesses and much of the night life is located.
Friday
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5:30 P.M.
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1) Time to Wet the Whistle
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7 P.M.
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Dinner at El Vez is always a great choice. But our pick for the best Mexican in the neighborhood is Lolita, a labor of love owned and operated by partners Valerie Safran and Marcie Turney, who also own Bindi, the Indian restaurant across the street, as well as one-stop-convenience-shop Grocery and homewares shop Open House.
Like Bindi, Lolita is a BYOB — but in this case, you may want to bring your own tequila. You can stop at the liquor store at 1218 Chestnut Street, and Lolita’s freshly made margarita mix will take care of the rest.
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9 P.M.
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Tonight’s post-dinner plan is Tavern on Camac, a traditional piano ba with a sing-along on the first floor and an intimate cabaret on the second. Ready to dance? DJ Salotta Tee will keep you bumping until close. The Tavern’s varied ambiance makes it a perfect date spot – or a good choice if you’re looking to meet a friendly Philadelphian.
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Saturday
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9 A.M.
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In the morning, pick yourself up with a workout at the gay community’s favorite health club, 12th Street Gym, where the equipment is as well-kept as the members are buff. Amenities include a weight-training circuit, cardio machines, pool, steam room, sauna, a multitude of classes and a sun deck.
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10:30 A.M.
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After your workout, walk down a few doors and consider your plans for the rest of the day at Joe Coffee Bar, a local favorite for caffeine reloading. Sip on a delicious latte, nibble on scones or simply feast in the pleasure of prime people-watching. And this will be some of the most environmentally responsible sipping you’ll ever do – all of Joe’s coffee is free-trade and most food ingredients are grown locally at farms in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
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11:30 A.M.
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Head south on to Giovanni’s Room at 13th and Pine, one of the nation’s oldest and best gay, lesbian and feminist bookstores. The extremely varied selection of fiction, non-fiction, compact discs, tapes and magazines is displayed in a series of cozy rooms in two adjoining townhouses.
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12 P.M.
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7) More Than Just Antiques
Make sure you get down to the Matthew Izzo Boutique, where this New York City transplant stocks his own line of jewelry, modern furniture and chic home accessories, as well as works by contemporary artists Thomas Parker Williams, Jen Petreshock and Leemour Pelli.
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1 P.M.
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It’s time for lunch, so grab a table by the French doors of Mixto and order a pitcher of sangria and a platter of empanadas to sip and munch while you scan the menu. During the warm weather months, the doors are opened and the seating area spills out onto the sidewalk, making for a pleasant, casual meal.
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2:30 P.M.
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9) Independence Starts Here
In addition to being the site of our nation’s founding, Independence Hall was also the site of the first gay and lesbian rights demonstration. On July 4, 1965, a group of activists from around the country — all in their Sunday best, as a dress code was enforced to make a good impression on the straight public — marched around the Hall. After the Stonewall riots of 1969, the national march moved to New York.
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3:30 p.m.
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Across Chestnut Street is the Liberty Bell Center, which provides a more contemplative experience to view this enduring symbol of freedom. The Liberty Bell’s new home is part of a dramatic $314 million transformation of Independence National Historical Park.
After you’ve paid homage to the bell, walk up Independence Mall to the National Constitution Center, a major new museum celebrating the U.S. Constitution through interactive, multimedia exhibits. The Constitution Center’s inclusive content notes the document’s impact on the rights of gays and lesbians and other minorities.
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7 p.m.
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For dinner try the aforementioned Bindi — you’ll be glad you did. Don’t forget our favorite liquor store at 1208 Chestnut Street! Other options include Valanni, whose sleek dining room and happening bar provide a stylish setting for imaginative Mediterranean cuisine; and the Venture Inn, a favorite of older gay men for its steaks and traditional fare.
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9 p.m.
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The rest of the evening is yours! But here are some of our recommendations.
For hanging out: The Westbury, sort of a Cheers for the gay set; Uncles, which caters to a 40-plus crowd; and Woody’s, Philadelphia’s largest and most popular gay bar.
For dancing: Shampoo, with drag queens, go-go boys and the latest club music, is gay on Friday nights only, while 12th Air Command and Woody’s offer dancing almost every night.
For women: The aptly named Sisters offers a little of everything for the club-going lesbian: a restaurant, bar and second floor dance area.
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Sunday
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11 a.m.
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Brunch this morning is at Bump, one of the most popular gay bars and restaurants in town. On Sunday mornings, this happening Gayborhood hot spot turns into a comfy brunch location, where you can settle in for coffee, pear pancakes and a side of turkey bacon while you recover from your night out on the town.
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12:30 p.m.
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After brunch, shop-til-you-drop types will want to check out the furniture and home items at gay-owned shops Urban Décor and Open House. Top off your continuing shopping adventure with luscious homemade gelato or a decadent pastry from Capogiro.
And don’t forget Rittenhouse Row, a shopping district on Walnut Street from Broad to 20th Streets, which is the site of some of the city’s finest boutiques and luxury shops.
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Hotels + More
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Transportation
If you're traveling from New York, New England, DC, Baltimore, Harrisburg, etc., Amtrak is easy. And you can get 50% off a companion fare when you use the special discount code: V454. Book online at Amtrak or call 1-800-USA-RAIL.
Driving
If you drive here, stash your car off-street until you leave. Though you might enjoy an occasional cab, trolley or carriage ride, most of these places can be reached on foot. Parking regulations are strictly enforced in the historic area, and you may find yourself getting towed with un-municipal efficiency.
Accommodations
Located right off the Avenue of the Arts on Walnut Street, the Holiday Inn Express Midtown occupies one of the city's most ideal locations.
Stay at boutique hotel Alexander Inn, located in the heart of the gayborhood. The décor of the hotel's 48 designer rooms is inspired by the grand cruise ships of the 1930s, which makes for an elegant overnight.
The beautiful and historic Radisson Plaza-Warwick Hotel is located in the Rittenhouse Square neighborhood of Center City Philadelphia amidst some of the city’s trendiest retail and restaurant areas.
The Philly's More Summer Fun Hotel Package is a popular getaway — and a terrific deal. It’s available throughout the Summer and comes with a $50 value American Express®-branded reward card. Click here to check out the package, then choose your favorite hotel!
More food and drink, please!
Of course, this itinerary is just a sample of the amazing range of food and drink in Philadelphia. Take a closer look at our Dining and Nightlife opportunities and chart your own course across the city!
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