Philly after-dark is a whole different city. This secret bars walking tour turns a normal night out into a guided crawl with a real local feel, plus a first stop around Rittenhouse Square that sets the tone fast. I like that it mixes classic favorites with lesser-known spots that still feel approachable, not stuffy. One thing to consider: the experience is more about the bar vibe than formal history, so if you want deep, story-heavy commentary, you may feel a little underfed.

What I really liked is the practical side. The tour includes skipping lines and no covers, which matters when you’re hopping between spots in busy Center City areas. There’s also a liquor tasting early on, and you’ll get drink and food recommendations along the way, so you’re not just following the group blindly.

The main drawback is consistency. Some people had guides who were super engaging, while others felt the guidance didn’t add much or that the tone of the night got messy. Also, drinks and food aren’t fully included—most items are for purchase—so you’ll want to budget before you go.

Key Things to Know Before You Go

• Line-skipping and no covers help you keep moving instead of waiting outside popular doors.
• A liquor tasting early on gives you a structured start before you order on your own.
• 35 minutes per stop keeps the pace social without turning it into a marathon.
• Rittenhouse Square + Center City blocks are a smart way to see different parts of nightlife without complicated transit.
• Some guides are excellent (people have cited Matthew and Mike as standout), but the narration style can vary.
• $35 is not free-drinks pricing; the value comes from access and tasting, not unlimited cocktails.

Why This Philly Bar Tour Works in 3 Hours

Three hours is the sweet spot for a bar tour. Long enough to hit multiple places and sample different styles, short enough that you’re not exhausted by the time the night gets good. This one is built around a steady walking rhythm and about 35 minutes at each stop, with a final stretch that gives you room to relax at the end.

You’re paying $35, and that number is easiest to understand when you separate the tour’s “value” from your personal spending. Your ticket covers the guide, the pacing, the access perks (line-skipping and no covers), and at least one structured tasting moment. Then you buy the rest of what you want. If you go in expecting the price to cover unlimited drinks, you’ll probably feel annoyed halfway through.

The Starting Point and the Pace That Keeps You From Waiting

You meet your guide outside TD Bank, then you start with a first pour and a quick social warm-up. The schedule is intentionally built to avoid long downtime—each stop is timed, and the route is flexible based on group size and what’s available.

A big practical win here: you’re not stuck hunting for entrances or paying cover charges at every location. The tour includes skipping lines through a separate entrance, which can save you 20 minutes or more over the course of the night. That’s not glamorous, but it’s the difference between a fun plan and a slow slog.

Also, you’ll be asked not to bring luggage or large bags. Keep it light. You’ll walk between areas, and you don’t want the hassle of carrying stuff while you’re trying to enjoy cocktails and conversation.

Rittenhouse Square Kickoff: Snacks and Your First Cocktail Vibe

The tour starts its main run with Rittenhouse Square. Expect a cocktail stop with local snacks and about 35 minutes to settle in. This is a smart opener because Rittenhouse is an easy-to-navigate starting zone and it gets you into the Philly nightlife mindset quickly.

Why this first stop matters: it’s where you figure out the group energy. Are people chatty? Are they celebrating? Are they taking their time with the menu? Since you’re with a live guide, you also get quick context on what to order next—especially useful if you’re new to Philly bars and don’t want to waste your first hour guessing.

Potential downside: if you show up hungry and you skipped the snacks, you might feel the pacing early on. The good news is the schedule includes later food time, so you’re not stuck on appetizers forever.

Center City Stops 2–5: Cocktails, Food Time, and Built-In Recommendations

After Rittenhouse, the tour shifts into Center City Philadelphia, where the stops are mostly cocktail-focused. You’ll get another 35-minute cocktail stop, then a longer cocktail + dinner stop (listed as 1 hour), followed by more cocktail stops of 1 hour each.

Here’s what that means for you in real terms:

• You get multiple chances to change your drink style—something light at one place, something stronger or more specialty at another.
• You’re not forced to spend the entire tour with the same crowd or the same bar type.
• The dinner window gives you a pause so you don’t feel like the night is only about drinking.

One important detail: even when the tour provides a tasting and some snacks, most drinks and meals are for purchase at each stop. That’s not a flaw; it’s just how the experience is priced. I’d go in with a rough budget for cocktails (and one meal order) so you can focus on the night instead of doing math in your head.

The liquor tasting is provided at an early stop. Even if you’re not a heavy spirits person, a structured tasting can be a fun way to learn the differences between styles without reading a menu like a chemistry textbook.

The Final Stretch at 1300 Sansom: Where the Night Leaves You

The tour ends in the Broad and Sansom St areas, with the official finish at 1300 Sansom St. That’s a thoughtful place to close because you’re still in a central nightlife pocket, so you won’t feel like you’re finishing in the middle of nowhere.

This last segment includes 40 minutes of free time (listed during the final Center City cocktail stop). That matters because it gives you control. You can:

• order a last drink if you want,
• linger with the group if it’s a fun mix of people,
• or just slow down and take in the surroundings before you head out.

It’s also the moment where you’ll feel the tour’s style. If your guide kept things upbeat and social, you’ll probably want to hang around. If you felt the tour wasn’t adding much narration, free time can be a relief—at least you get the option to settle into the vibe.

What You’re Paying For: $35 Value, No Covers, and Drinks for Purchase

Let’s talk value plainly. You’re paying $35 for a 3-hour guided walking experience. Drinks are not automatically included, except for the liquor tasting provided early. But your ticket does include:

• skipping lines at venues,
• no covers for venues on the route,
• drink and food recommendations,
• and brunch vouchers for select restaurants.

In other words, the price covers the engine of the night: access, timing, and guidance. If you treat this as a guided route that helps you avoid lines and cover charges, it can be a good deal. If you treat it like a bar package where you should receive multiple full drinks for free, you may end up disappointed.

A couple of review comments you should take seriously while making your choice:

• Some people liked the stops and how well the guide kept energy up.
• Others felt the “free” drink angle wasn’t clear enough or that one item functioned more like a promo shot that required a purchase anyway.

Since the listing says only the liquor tasting is included, I’d assume you’ll be buying most drinks. That keeps your expectations aligned.

Guides and Group Energy: What Matthew and Mike Signal

The tour lives or dies with the guide. I like that you’re not just given a random bar crawl route; you’re supposed to get insider tips, fun facts, and hidden stories about Philly’s bar scene.

In the feedback I’ve seen, names like Matthew and Mike come up with positive energy—people described Matthew as friendly and a great fit for first-timers, and Mike as delivering a lively night. That matters because Philly bar culture is all about timing, ordering, and knowing where you’ll feel comfortable in each room.

Still, guides can vary. Some people felt narration was thin or that the guide interaction didn’t add much beyond basic directions. That doesn’t mean the stops are bad—it means the tour style may not match what you want, especially if you’re looking for lots of stories per location.

If you want a more guided, story-forward experience, I’d go with a mindset like: you’re signing up for a night out with a local filter, not a museum lecture.

Who This Tour Fits Best (and Who Should Skip It)

This is a group walking tour built around social energy. If you’re traveling solo, it’s a good way to meet people because the structure keeps you together while you move bar to bar. The “bring friends or make new ones” vibe can work well if you’re open to chat.

It’s also set up for adults only: not suitable for people under 21 and not suitable for pregnant women. It’s also listed as wheelchair accessible, which is a big check mark if you need that.

My practical advice:

• Great fit: you’re 21+ (or older), you like walking, and you want someone to point you toward better ordering and less time waiting outside.
• Maybe skip: you want heavy history lessons at every stop, you strongly prefer a quiet, polished tone, or you’re expecting all drinks fully covered by the ticket.

Small Practical Tips So You Enjoy Every Stop

You’ll have the best time if you plan like it’s a social evening with purchases, not a free buffet of cocktails.

• Bring your ID or passport—you’ll need it.
• Wear something that fits the dress expectations: no sleeveless shirts are allowed.
• Travel light. You can’t bring luggage or large bags.
• Pace your drinking. With multiple one-hour sections and a final free-time window, it’s easy to get ahead of yourself.

And emotionally: go in ready to order. The guide can suggest and steer, but you still choose what you like. If you treat each stop like a fresh decision instead of a test, the whole night feels more fun.

Should You Book This Philly Secret Bars Tour?

If you want a guided crawl that saves you from lines and cover charges, and you’re excited to try different Philly bar vibes in about three hours, I think it’s worth considering at $35. The big strengths are the access perks, the early liquor tasting, and the structure that makes it easy to move from place to place without overthinking it.

I’d only hesitate if you’re the type who needs lots of history and deep storytelling at each stop, or if you’re sensitive to guide-to-guide differences in tone. In that case, your experience could swing more than you’d like.

My rule: if you’re going to enjoy a social night out, with some guided direction and enough freedom to order what you actually want, this tour fits well. If you’re chasing an all-inclusive deal, you’ll probably feel shortchanged.

FAQ

How much does the Philadelphia Secret Bars and Favorite Spots Walking Tour cost, and how long is it?

It costs $35 per person and lasts about 3 hours.

Where do I meet the guide, and where does the tour end?

You meet your guide outside TD Bank. The tour finishes in the 1300 Sansom St area.

What’s included in the ticket price?

The tour includes skipping lines for all venues, no covers for venues on the tour, a liquor tasting at an early stop, plus drink and food recommendations. Brunch vouchers for select restaurants are also included.

Are drinks and food included?

Drinks and food are not included except for the liquor tasting. Local snacks are part of the Rittenhouse Square stop, and there is a dinner listed for one of the later stops, but you should still expect to pay for most items at the bars.

Is there a liquor tasting during the tour?

Yes. A liquor tasting is provided at an early stop.

Who can join the tour?

The tour is not suitable for people under 21 and is also listed as not suitable for pregnant women.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, it is listed as wheelchair accessible.

What should I bring, and what is not allowed?

Bring a passport or ID card. Luggage or large bags are not allowed, sleeveless shirts are not allowed, and unaccompanied minors are not allowed.

Do you offer free cancellation or pay later?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. It also offers reserve now & pay later, so you can book without paying immediately.