Nightlife in Gloucester City

Beef, jumbo wings, chicken fingers, jalapeño poppers, french fries, onion rings, mozzarella sticks, marinara sauce, honey mustard, and melted cheese. Those are some of the items available on The Whiskey Barrel's menu, and somehow, they all fit on the Mother of All Barrels sandwich. The 12-inch behemoth anchors a menu full of similarly hearty, borderline ridiculous sandwiches, burgers, entrees, and jumbo-sized wings that come in a variety of sauces, from whiskey BBQ to garlic-teriyaki and hot & honey.

The food provides fuel for late nights at the pub, which, like the drive-thru window outside every grandma's kitchen, stays open until 2 a.m. six times a week—including for live music performances every Saturday. Beer specials accompany all Flyers hockey games, and happy-hour deals Monday–Friday help nerves unwind after another long, hard day of resisting the urge to burn the dictionary.

Catahoula Bar & Restaurant brings the down-home comfort foods of New Orleans to Queen Village, presenting them in a cozy, laid-back setting complete with dark wooden trim and glowing flat-screen televisions. One such Cajun classic is the chefs' signature gumbo, packed with smoked chicken and andouille sausage that's simmered in a deep-hued roux and plenty of herbs. "A bowl of this gumbo alone is worth the visit to Catahoula," according to Craig LaBan from The Philadelphia Inquirer, and a spread of po boy sandwiches, fried catfish platters, and jambalaya with crispy duck confit keeps guests coming back. In between bites, diners can enjoy a beer or cocktail from the bar while watching the game on one of televisions around the restaurant instead of on portable crystal balls.

Upon stepping inside Infusion Lounge, you're immediately immersed in both the traditional and the modern. Guests enveloped in clouds of smoke puff on shisha pipes under classical European paintings. The haziness blurs together the vibrant crimson and royal purple decor, giving guests a sheen of privacy as they lean back and socialize on plush couches. They pass around hoses filled with traditional flavors of shisha such as Al Fakher lemon mint, but there are more options than just the classic flavors of the East. The extensive hookah menu also includes modern flavors such as Starbuzz Exotic apple martini. Nearby, an even more modern scene meets the eye. DJs spin electro house music next to guests mingling at the bar or ordering bottle service for friends lounging in the VIP area or at the make-your-own ship-in-a-bottle station.

A beloved neighborhood pub and grill, Billy Murphy’s Irish Bar welcomes a host of regulars and newcomers to its casual corner spot in East Falls. A nice selection of beers on tap complement the American fare, ranging from cheesesteaks and chicken potpies to basic cheeseburgers and more adventurous options, like a version topped with jalapeños, chipotle aioli, bacon and fried onions. Weekday specials regularly include Mexican Monday, when basic tacos are only $2 each, and Wednesday Wing Night, when various styles – think spicy, barbecue and more – go for a mere 35 cents each. You might encounter a live Irish band one night, a crowd of Eagles fans on Sunday afternoon or a locals-only vibe inside the cluttered, low-ceilinged space, but the patio always makes for a great summertime sit, especially with a glass of cheap beer.

This nearly 100-year-old Chestnut Hill institution will forever be known as the home of the gut-busting sandwich called the Schmitter, piled with beef, grilled salami, fried onions, tomatoes and tons of cheese. But there’s more to McNally’s than just their signature meal. The tavern exudes charm, from its old black-and-white family photos on the wall to the line of metal beer steins hanging behind the bar. A tiny open kitchen puts out sandwiches with distinctly literary names, like the George Bernard Shaw, a three cheese mix melted on top of peppers, onions, mushrooms and tomatoes; and the Dickens, a Thanksgiving-inspired combo of roasted turkey, stuffing and cranberry sauce. More straightforward fare includes burgers, salads and soups. Outside, a bench and a traditional coach light welcome customers.

Plenty of adjectives befit the pub food at King's Oak, but "straightforward" isn't one of them. That's because the eatery's chefs put an inventive, upscale twist on the classics. They whip up a whopping nine different sliders, from short rib with herb mayo to fried oyster with spicy remoulade. This same creativity permeates the menu's collection of shareable small plates, such as dumplings chockfull of cheesesteak fixings and Sriracha ketchup, and brunch items, such as Fruit Loop-encrusted french toast.

To complement these feasts, bartenders pour house wines, craft beers, and cocktails, including the Snakebite—a blend of cider, Yuengling lager, and blackberry brandy. When diners' eyes aren't glued to their unusual meals, they're likely fixed to flat-screen TVs showing the day's biggest games.