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Thursday, September 29, 2016
Travel Tips for DJs Visiting Philadelphia
DJ Royale at Philadelphia’s Voyeur Nightclub in 2015. (credit: Drew Gurian / Red Bull Content Pool)
DJs may not know where to eat, stay, and play when they get booked in cities they’ve never been to before. To help them get the most out of their visit, DJcity has launched a monthly series called DJ Travel Tips. The series highlights some of the best things to do in some of the most popular destinations around the world.
Where to stay
“If you’re playing downtown, I recommend Loews Philadelphia Hotel since it’s near all the major clubs in the area. Kimpton Hotel Monaco Philadelphia is also a nice spot and good second choice. If you’re looking for a budget hotel, Days Inn and Holiday Inn Express offer a pretty good bang for your buck. And of course, there’s always Airbnb.”
Where to eat
“There’s a lot of great places in Philly to eat but first things first, get some cheesesteak! All tourists usually go to two famous spots in South Philly: Geno’s Steaks or Pat’s King of Steaks. Both places will satisfy your cheesesteak fix and are located right next to each other. You can choose one or the other or both if you’re about that life. If you’re in the Chinatown area, there are two must-visit Chinese spots. The first is David’s Mai Lai Wah, which is known for their salt and pepper chicken wings. The second is and Ken’s Seafood Restaurant, which is known for their salted fish fried rice, chicken pan-fried noodles, and salt and pepper squid. If you’re in the mood for Spanish food, Tierra Colombiana is where to go! It’s located in North Philly (not too far from the city) and they have amazing food!”
What to do
“Even though Philadelphia is the fifth largest market in the US, it’s been somewhat slept-on up until recent years. From chef-owned restaurants and beer gardens to warehouse parties and historical monuments, Philly is bursting with gems. The city’s Mural Arts Program has enabled professional artists to express themselves since 1984. It features over 3,600 murals throughout Philly, making the city the mural capital of the world. From world famous artists like Shepard Fairey and Keith Haring to local students, there’s a vast magnitude of styles. The program offers both walking and trolley tours and offers an authentic experience outside of the downtown business centers and historical monuments. As for record stores, Brewerytown Beats and Milk Crate Cafe are two of my favorites. Brewerytown is one of the most recent additions to the city and has everything from $1 crates to new gems. If their selection on the floor doesn’t fill your appetite, ask the owner if you can check out the basement where there’s unsorted house records and more. Milk Crate is a record store and cafe located in the now bustling Fishtown neighborhood. It’s a cool spot to grab tunes and fill your stomach. It’s also a good place if you need to hop on Wi-Fi and get some work done, and it’s just minutes from a ton of bars and restaurants.”
Where to party
“If you’re into dancing and laid back vibes, The 700, Silk City, L’Etage, Frankie Bradley’s, and Saint Lazarus Bar are always a win. If bottle service and a big club is more your style, check out Coda in Center City; you can catch anyone from Snoop Dogg to Miami Horror playing there. Another can’t-miss spot during the summer is Morgan’s Pier.”
Related: Travel Tips for DJs Visiting Atlanta
