Old City After Dark: Visit Oldest Tavern in Philadelphia

Reviewed · OLD CITY WALKING TOURS

Old City After Dark: Visit Oldest Tavern in Philadelphia

5.0 · 3 reviews 3 hours (approx.) From $40 Operated by Booze Brothers Philly · Bookable on Viator
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Philly nightlife, built for your group. This Old City after-dark outing strings together Philadelphia’s oldest tavern vibe with axe throwing and a salsa lesson that turns the night into a real event. You get a guided crawl with no-cover access, short stops, and a clear end point.

I love how the itinerary has momentum. You start with a short Society Hill warm-up, then hit Old City for a tavern-and-music stretch that includes time at a Japanese listening room, and you finish with an energetic dance-floor finale. I also like the practical value: you get an included tequila shot, axe throwing, and seating/line-skipping so you spend the night doing things instead of waiting.

One thing to plan for: the included drink is just a single shot of tequila. Cocktails, beer, and wine are extra, and the experience requires good weather, so keep your expectations flexible if it’s wet.

Key Things to Know Before You Go

Old City After Dark: Visit Oldest Tavern in Philadelphia - Key Things to Know Before You Go

  • Tequila shot is included, so you start the night with a real payoff.
  • Axe throwing is built in, not added on later.
  • No covers plus line skipping and seating help you keep moving.
  • You’ll hit Old City plus a Japanese listening room stop in the same night.
  • The final hour is Brasil’s Nightclub with salsa lessons by Estilo.
  • Groups are kept to 16 people maximum, which makes the pace feel manageable.

Old City After Dark: Why This Night Crawl Works

Old City After Dark: Visit Oldest Tavern in Philadelphia - Old City After Dark: Why This Night Crawl Works
If your idea of nightlife is standing in lines and paying cover charges, this tour plays a different game. You’re paying $40 for a structured, three-part night that mixes bar stops with activities and a real finish. The whole thing is designed to keep the group together, which matters when you’re walking between multiple venues after dark.

I like that it feels like more than a bar crawl. There’s the social bar-hopping piece, sure, but there’s also axe throwing and a salsa lesson that gives you a skill, not just a drink-and-chat loop. If you’re in Philly for a weekend, this kind of plan helps you make the most of a single evening without needing to research five separate places.

Also, the logistics are friendly for a night out. It starts at 7:00 pm, lasts about 3 hours, and ends near the same general area where you begin. You’re not left hunting for a ride or direction once things get lively.

Meeting Points at Lombard St and the Society Hill Start Switch

Old City After Dark: Visit Oldest Tavern in Philadelphia - Meeting Points at Lombard St and the Society Hill Start Switch
You meet at 200 Lombard St, Philadelphia, PA 19147. That’s also where your night gets organized, and it helps because you’re not trying to coordinate with strangers at a venue entrance.

From there, the first stop is Society Hill, and here’s a useful detail: tours begin at either Twisted Tail or Cavanoughs, depending on private events. If something is booked up, you’re still covered—you’ll just start at the other location. The key is that you should check the updates sent to you by email and phone before you leave for the tour.

This small setup detail matters more than it sounds. On a packed Philly evening, venue schedules can shift quickly. This tour anticipates that, and it keeps the start from becoming a frustrating scavenger hunt.

Society Hill Warm-Up: Short Stop, Good Energy

Old City After Dark: Visit Oldest Tavern in Philadelphia - Society Hill Warm-Up: Short Stop, Good Energy
The Society Hill portion is about 35 minutes, and it includes an admission ticket. At this stage, the goal is simple: get your group oriented and set the tone for the night. Think of it as a quick “we’re together, here’s what’s next” checkpoint.

Because it’s early in the tour, it’s also the part where you can get your bearings fast. You’ll be walking with a guide and other people in a small group (up to 16), which makes the night feel safer and easier than figuring out transit or directions alone.

One more practical note: the tour guide is available in Spanish, French, German, or Italian. If you’re booking with a group and you want someone who can actually connect with your language, that’s a plus.

Old City and the Oldest Tavern: What You Actually Do

This is the heart of the experience: Old City after dark. You get a guided stretch built around a historic tavern stop and a music-related detour. The pace is timed—about 1 hour 25 minutes total for this section—and you’ll spend roughly 35 minutes at key points.

Two specific places anchor this part of the night:

  • Philadelphia’s oldest tavern stop (the tour frames it as a major highlight of the area).
  • 48 Record, described as a Japanese listening room.

That pairing is part of the charm. You’re not only bouncing between drinking spots; you’re switching atmospheres. One moment you’re in an older, tavern-style environment, and the next you’re stepping into a space tied to listening culture. It gives the night variety, not repetition.

One thing to keep straight: while the tour includes access features like no covers and line skipping and seating, drinks themselves aren’t included beyond the single tequila shot. During this Old City block, expect you’ll have chances to buy cocktails, beer, or wine at the stops. The schedule is built to keep the group moving, but you’re still making your own choices on what you order.

Axe Throwing and the Included Tequila Shot

The tour is priced so you’re not paying separately for every piece of fun. That’s the value story here.

You get:

  • Axe throwing
  • One shot of tequila
  • Line skipping and seating
  • No covers

Axe throwing is the kind of activity that changes the whole group dynamic. Instead of standing around with drinks, you’re focused for a while, laughing when it goes wrong, celebrating when it goes right. Even if you’re not athletic, the point is participation and fun—not competition.

The tequila shot also helps the vibe early. It’s simple, but it’s a morale boost. You’re not waiting until later to feel like the night started. And since the tour limits what’s included drink-wise, having the shot up front feels like the tour’s way of saying, We’ll handle the first punch.

More Philly taprooms and corner bars to work through

Brasil’s Nightclub Finale at 112 Chestnut St

The tour ends at Brasil’s Nightclub, 112 Chestnut St. That’s only about a 5-minute walk from where you start, so the whole evening feels contained. You don’t have to guess your way home or worry about losing the group’s energy at the finish.

This final stop runs about 1 hour, and it’s built to be a high-energy close. You’ll get salsa lessons by Estilo, plus a dance-floor scene with local DJs. The point is not just watching. The lesson is part of why this tour feels like an event rather than a straight crawl.

What I like about this finish is that it gives you a “last hour memory.” Plenty of bar nights blur together, but a structured salsa class gives you something specific you can talk about later. Even if you only learn a couple of steps, you still end the night feeling like you did something.

Also, the tour includes line skipping and seating, which matters at nightclubs. You spend more time dancing and less time waiting for doors to open.

Price and Value: Where the $40 Really Goes

Old City After Dark: Visit Oldest Tavern in Philadelphia - Price and Value: Where the $40 Really Goes
Let’s talk money without pretending it’s complicated.

At $40 per person for about 3 hours, you’re paying for more than location hopping. You’re getting:

  • An included tequila shot
  • Axe throwing
  • Salsa lesson
  • Admission/access features like no covers and line skipping and seating
  • A guide offered in Spanish, French, German, or Italian

If you tried to assemble this yourself, you’d likely end up paying for activities plus entry fees plus the time cost of scheduling. Even if you only care about one element (like salsa lessons or axe throwing), those costs can climb quickly when you add them up separately.

The main cost you’ll still face is optional. Alcoholic drinks other than the shot are on you. Cocktails, beer, and wine are listed as $5–$20. So this tour fits best if you’re comfortable ordering one or two drinks on top of the included shot, or if you prefer to keep it lighter and let the activities do the heavy lifting.

Group Size, Pace, and Who This Fits Best

Old City After Dark: Visit Oldest Tavern in Philadelphia - Group Size, Pace, and Who This Fits Best
With a max of 16 travelers, this tour stays social without turning chaotic. You get enough people for energy, but not so many that you can’t hear the guide or keep up between stops.

The night also has clear boundaries:

  • No children or anyone under 21
  • Service animals are allowed
  • It’s marked as near public transportation
  • It’s timed for an adult nightlife crowd

This makes it a strong fit for:

  • Couples or groups of friends who want an organized plan
  • People who want nightlife with activities, not just drinking
  • Visitors who don’t want to spend hours researching where to go
  • Anyone who likes the idea of ending with a class and dancing, not wandering

If you’re hoping for a quiet, low-key evening, this probably won’t match your style. It’s built around movement, multiple stops, and a nightclub finale.

Weather, Timing, and What to Expect on a Real Night Out

This experience requires good weather. Since it’s a multi-stop night out, you’ll be outside enough that rain or rough conditions can change the feel of the evening. If the weather doesn’t cooperate, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Timing is also tight in a good way. You start at 7:00 pm and you’re usually wrapping up within about 3 hours. That’s long enough to feel like you had a real night out, but not so long that your group loses steam before the nightclub part.

One last practical thing: bring your patience and a bit of flexibility. When venues have private events, the first stop can shift between Twisted Tail and Cavanoughs. The system is set up to handle it, but you still want to check your email and phone so you show up to the correct starting location.

Should You Book Old City After Dark?

I’d book this if you want a guided adult night that includes actual activities. The combo of axe throwing, an included tequila shot, access perks like no covers/line skipping, and a finish at Brasil’s Nightclub with salsa lessons by Estilo is a lot for $40.

I’d skip it if you’re mainly shopping for a relaxed bar crawl with lots of free time to linger. The tour is designed to move, with timed stops and a scheduled ending. Also, because only the tequila shot is included, you should be ready for extra spend on cocktails, beer, or wine if you want those.

If you like structured fun with a clear end point, this is a solid pick for Old City nightlife.

FAQ

What is the price of the tour?

The tour costs $40.00 per person.

How long does the experience last?

It runs for approximately 3 hours.

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 7:00 pm.

Where do I meet, and where does it end?

You meet at 200 Lombard St, Philadelphia, PA 19147. The tour ends at Brasil’s Nightclub, 112 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19106.

Is the tour ticket mobile?

Yes, you receive a mobile ticket.

What ages are allowed?

No children are allowed, and no persons under age 21 are allowed.

What’s included in the $40 price?

Included: one shot of tequila, no covers, line skipping and seating, axe throwing, a tour guide, and a salsa lesson.

Are drinks or food included besides the tequila shot?

No food or drink is included other than the provided tequila shot. Alcoholic drinks like cocktails, beer, and wine are available for purchase.

Where does the tour begin if there is a private event?

The tour begins at either Twisted Tail or Cavanoughs, depending on private events. You should check the email and phone updates you receive for the correct start location.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience starts. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.