Bob & Barbara's

Sitting at the intersection of Broad and Philadelphia’s iconic South Street (and West one block) is Bob & Barbara’s Lounge. Opened by the namesake couple in 1969, the lounge remains one of the gems of Philly’s nightlife. Featuring the city’s longest running drag show (every Thursday night with Miss Lisa Lisa), founders of Philadelphia’s infamous “Citywide” and standing host to Jazz trios every weekend, Bob & Barbara’s has been the place to be for over half a century.

The bar is unassuming from the outside, snug on a block of independent restaurants, bars, and other business—but it lights up the street after dark, and when the door cracks open, music and reflected neon light flood the street. On the weekends, there are lines made up of folks of all ages, waiting for the bouncer to check IDs and wave them through. The bar is always full, and the crowd circles the spotlit band, careful not to lean on the antique organ. On Thursdays, they wait for Miss Lisa Lisa—her show the signal that the weekend has almost arrived.

The Citywide, at Bob & Barbara’s known simply as “The Special,” is the signature drink of Philadelphia. From the highest-class hotel to the greasiest dive, bartenders know exactly what you mean. There’s some flexibility between places—sometimes the beer or accompanying shot changes. But at Bob & Barbara’s they stay true to the original Special; a can of Pabst Blue Ribbon and a shot of Jim Beam, delivered together. Bob & Barabara’s legend attributes it to Rick D, whose portrait hangs by the front door. The story goes that needed a special to keep patrons coming back; first for just one night’s show, but then again the next, and so on and so on. The rest is history.

The bar has only had one other owner since Bob & Barbara’s, and the place shows no sign of slowing down. Pabst memorabilia lines the walls floor to ceiling, occasionally rotated to bring fresh merchandise out of storage where it’s been lovingly kept. Interspersing the antique signage and vintage light fixtures are records of the lounge’s history—photos of Bob & Barbara themselves, acclaimed Jazz musicians, even an old article or two about the revelation of the Citywide. It’s nostalgic in the best way inside Bob & Barbara’s, even for those who have never before set foot inside.