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Top Philadelphia Bars For A Blind Date

Bars are often the venue of choice for first dates, especially when you're meeting someone for the first time. Dinner doesn't have to be out of the question, but chatting over a couple of beers and an appetizer is a good way to check each other out for compatibility first. And let's face it, conversation simply flows easier when sipping a glass of wine paired with your favorite tapas. Finding the right bar is important, of course, and thankfully there are a number of top bars for a blind date in Philadelphia.

Bourbon Blue 
2 Rector St.
Philadelphia, PA 19127
(215) 508-3360
www.bourbonblue.com

There is an atmosphere of fun at Bourbon Blue, where good times seem to just roll along. You and your date will swear that you're in the heart of New Orleans at this Manayunk gastro-pub, which specializes in American cuisine with a New Orleans twist. Conversation will flow freely over your favorite draft beer, wine or themed cocktail, and the ornate architecture and décor lends itself well to making your choice of venue feel special. Want a little more than just drinks and conversation? Bourbon Blue provides live acoustic musical entertainment five nights a week.

Cavanaugh's Rittenhouse
1823 Sansom St.
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 665-9500
www.cavsrittenhouse.com

Sports fanatics, you'll know you've met your match if your blind date suggests meeting at Cav's, as locals refer to Cavanaugh's, a sports bar with plenty of good tailgating grub. Conversation will flow and silence won't feel awkward with 20 HDTVs surrounding the two of you, especially if you're sipping one of your favorite draft or bottled craft beers. Bar fare can leave one wondering if the menu was simply an afterthought, but not at Cav's, where appetizers are a meal in and of themselves. You'll be certain to keep the conversation going with fresh guacamole served with tortilla and plantain chips, or you could share an order of pretzels and pigs or sample the hand-rolled seasoned Philly chip steak and American cheese in a crispy shell. And if the date doesn't work out, at least you can find comfort in Cav's fried cheesecake.

Chris' Jazz Cafe
1421 Sansom St.
Philadelphia, PA 19102
(215) 568-3131
www.chrisjazzcafe.com

It's been said that Chris' Jazz Café is where jazz musicians in Philadelphia go when they want to hear good jazz music. The bar, located in Rittenhouse Square, is known for its laid-back atmosphere and live jazz, which make it an ideal venue to make a good impression on a first date. Chris' serves up brews and wines, but the real stars are the signature cocktails. If libations like A Foggy Day or Orange Colored Sky don't catch your fancy, you and your date are sure to love either The Lady, a seductive take on the Old Fashioned, or The Tramp with Dad's Hat Rye, Grand Marnier, Angostura bitters and sugar.

Misconduct Tavern
1511 Locust St.
Philadelphia, PA 19102
(215) 732-5797
www.misconduct-tavern.com

Known as "that bar with the nautical theme," Misconduct Tavern is a favorite spot for its great atmosphere. Happy hour is from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday when all draft beer and house wines are just $4 and house cocktails are half price. Ten HD flatscreen TVs let you keep up with the score while deciding if you'll be meeting for a second date, and if beer is your libation of choice, you're in the right place. Misconduct is home to 12 draft beers and a bottled beer list that includes over 50 choices.

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Tinto Wine Bar
114 S. 20th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 665-9150
www.philadelphia.tintorestaurant.com

Tinto, Iron Chef Jose Garces' wine bar inspired by northern Spain's Basque country, stocks over 100 Spanish and French wines sold by the bottle, or you can choose from 20 varieties sold by the glass. The perfect setting for a first date with its wine cellar feel and tapas-type food, Tinto's ambiance lends itself well to conversation. Pair your wine with bocadillos (little sandwiches) or brochettes and montaditos (canapés). If you happen upon the venue during happy hour, be sure to enjoy the house wines and sangria, which are all priced under $5.

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Christy Ayala covers sports, recreation, the outdoors, and leisure activities in the Philadelphia area. She earned a masters degree in recreation administration from George Williams College and managed programs in the Midwest, Hawaii, and Pennsylvania. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.

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