NoChe Philadelphia, Philadelphia

Noche's owners like seeing people come together. It even says so on the menu just beneath the list of small plates, which are "all meant for sharing." As the Mexican dishes' aromas waft forth from the kitchen, the bartenders awaken palates by pouring 14 tequilas, as well as mixing classic and specialty margaritas that are scrawled across a blackboard. From there, the restaurant spreads out in to spaces with distinct energies. The main dining space invites patrons to relax amid comfy green booths, large windows that filter in the streetlights, and a tin ceiling and library that give the room a vintage feel. The atmosphere picks up liveliness toward the bar, where guests can shoot pool, watch the bartenders in action, or ponder which of the letters on the ATM machine stands for money.