Bob and Barbara's
21 people recommendvia r/philadelphia, r/philly21 comments cited below
What people say, in short
Many people recommend Bob and Barbara's, and several call it a dive bar. Two call it a classic Philly bar, a few mention live music, and two mention drag. A couple describe the drinks as cheap. One patron says it feels very queer without being strictly a gay bar.
Address
Bob and Barbara's Lounge, 1509 South St, Philadelphia, PA 19146
At a glance
- Price
- Budget
- Best for
- Live music, Budget
- Known for
- Live music, Drag shows
Nearby on this map
Other places on this map closest to Bob and Barbara's, as the crow flies.
The evidence
Every point below is paraphrased from a real public comment, ordered by how much the community engaged with it. Caveats and negatives are kept in — follow any link to read the original for yourself.
- Recommendsu/GeorgieWsBush in r/philadelphia · Jan 2025ambience
Says it reliably delivers a good time.
- Recommendsu/Designer-Motor9728 in r/philly · Jul 2024
Describes it as a classic example of a Philly bar.
- Recommendsu/AOLpassword in r/philly · Feb 2025
Lists this among dive bars worth picking from, saying the city is strong for them.
- Recommendsu/bartendingbarbie in r/philly · Jan 2025ambience
Calls Bob and Barbara's a fun small dive that feels queer, though it isn't strictly a gay bar.
- Recommendsu/k2j2 in r/philadelphia · Mar 2024
Recommends this bar for its drag show, plus a food item they name.
- Recommendsu/ViolentThemmes in r/philly · Oct 2025variety
Suggests it for live music and various dance nights.
- Recommendsu/soylattebb in r/philly · Apr 2025
Places it just behind the earlier top suggestion.
- Recommendsu/FishingReport in r/philadelphia · Dec 2025
Lists it as a favorite dive bar pick, with no further detail.
Show all 21 cited comments
- Recommendsu/music4life14 in r/philly · Feb 2025price
Recommends this dive bar as a budget pick for cheap drinks.
- Recommendsu/srahlo in r/philly · Aug 2024
Included in a personal list of bars they recommend; no further detail given.
- Recommendsu/TooManyDraculas in r/philly · Sep 2025taste
Says this bar stands out for keeping a decent whiskey in its citywide.
- Recommendsu/Greenfendr in r/philadelphia · Feb 2026ambience
Calls it a unique venue with skilled musicians and a budget-friendly dive feel.
- Recommendsu/SmokeMonday476 in r/philly · Apr 2025
Calls it one of the city's classics.
- Recommendsu/tclumsypandaz in r/philadelphia · Jan 2025ambience
Named as one of the city's go-to low-key dance spots.
- Recommendsu/odd-wad in r/philadelphia · Jul 2026
Likens it to Bob and Barbara's, which it says never draws this kind of attention.
- Recommendsu/GaymoSexual in r/philly · Jul 2025ambience
Suggests this place for those wanting to be noticed.
- Recommendsu/Lower_Wall_638 in r/philly · Jan 2025
Suggests it as one stop on a dive-bar crawl.
- Recommendsu/CrazyCarlXU in r/philly · Jan 2026
Also named as a great local bar in the same list of recommendations.
- Recommendsu/Automatic_Employee40 in r/philadelphia · Dec 2025ambience
Recommends it for an authentic local atmosphere and warns not to spoil it.
- Recommendsu/KSKUMP in r/philly · Jan 2025ambience
Describes Bob and Barbara's as offering live music and drag, with a chill, intimate feel.
- Recommendsu/bamade52 in r/philly · Nov 2024
Names it as a lowkey bar suggestion.
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Freshness
Details last checked 13 Nov 2026. Recommendations reflect what people said at the time; confirm current details before you go.