Celebrating a birthday? Partying with your intramural team? Organizing the office happy hour? You're gonna need a bigger bar (or restaurant, or bowling alley). Never fear: we've rounded up five spots around Philadelphia that are perfect for big groups.
Trivia Night: Local 44
University City
For some friendly competition with your friends and neighbors, head out to Local 44 on Sunday evenings for its weekly trivia night. Located on the corner of Spruce and 44th streets, the neighborhood bar hosts 'Quizzo' each week with host JB Farley, who won the 'Best of Philly Quizzo' title back in 2012. You don't have to register your team beforehand and if you win, you'll receive gift cards to Local 44 and "cool beer swag." While you're enjoying the game, check out the bar's menu, which boasts 20 different draft beers and a variety of small bites, such as spicy seitan nuggets, wings, the house cheeseburger and more.
Urban Brewery Tours: Yards Brewing Company
Northern Liberties
Been around since 1994, the Yards Brewing Company is the place to be for beer enthusiasts. The brewery, which is 100 percent wind-powered, offers a casual and welcoming place for people to learn more about the beers that are brewed on-site. It offers free brewery tours, by appointment only, for those over 21-years-old on Saturdays and Sundays from 12-4pm. If you want to opt out of the tour, those over the legal drinking age can swing by the tasting room, which is open Monday-Thursday from noon to 7pm and Friday and Saturday from 11:30am-7pm. Expect to find 12 different beers on tap and a food menu that includes bar bites like a quesadilla, nachos, burgers and more. If you stop by on a weekend, check the business' website to see which food truck will be on site.
Group Bowling: North Bowl
Northern Liberties
Housed in a former mechanics garage, North Bowl's expansive 21,000-square-foot facility is "the ultimate Philly hang-out." The business, complete with retro benches from bowling arenas in the 50s, a sculptural bar and a "glass enclosed pod that overlooks the downstairs,"offers eight bowling lanes on the first floor and four additional locations on the second. Rent a lane for $5.95 per person, or stop by during happy hour, Monday-Friday from 5 to 7pm, and get a dollar off. For an even better deal, head out on Wednesday and Sunday evenings from 10pm till close, and you'll get to bowl and drink a beer for $2 a head.
Private Karaoke Room: Yakitori Boy
Chinatown
If singing in front of a large crowd isn't your cup of tea, then head to Yakitori Boy in Chinatown for a night of private karaoke. The karaoke lounge, which has an izakaya restaurant on the first floor and its private karaoke rooms on the second, has several different rooms available for rental. Each room comes with plush sofas, a big screen TV, and an electronic song book that has a ton of songs in English and Chinese. From Sunday to Thursday, there are individual rooms available for six, eight, 12, 15 and 20 people for $15, $20, $25, $30 and $35 an hour, respectively. Then, on Friday and Saturday from 2pm-8pm each room doubles in price. Yakitori Boy enforces a dress code on the weekends, so be sure to check the website for specific guidelines before showing up.
Private Dining Space: Barra Rossa
Market East
For an intimate meal with your closest friends and family, head to Barra Rossa's private dining room. Tucked away in a corner by black curtains, the private nook, complete with a chandelier, small spot lights and modern furniture, offers a cozy space for you and your guests to eat, drink and have fun. There are three different packages available for $30, $35 and $45 per person, which comes with an assortment of appetizers, salads, and entrees. Diners will get to select from a list that includes tasty options like calamari, eggplant parmesan, chicken piccata, tortellini alla vodka, Caesar salad and more. Additionally, Barra Rossa also offers a buffet package for $25, $35 and $45 per person.
