First visit to Doobies last night, and it was a great time. Cash-only, dive jukebox, and old-movie TV by the bar. Would love to come back for a relaxing brew and try a few of their food/snack options. Bartender knew of solid options for all tastes- whether you're a hoppy IPA fan or more of a stout/porter fan. They didn't have any stouts or porters on draft, but plenty of cans and bottles to try out. Most beers go for $4-5, so prices are great compared to the more crowded Rittenhouse neighborhood spots nearby. Only complaint- it was a bit warm throughout the evening, even when there was only 3-4 of us. As more folks started to join throughout a bit later (~25 people around 10pm), the tables filled up around the bar area and it got too warm for us to stay. read more

Doobies was one of the best bars in which I've ever had a beer. A great jukebox and Patti, along with Len Barry, who used to work at the Khyber Pass years ago, are my favorite bartenders. And you could always find someone interesting to talk to. Even after getting older and moving out to the burbs, I'd try and stop by every now and then. So glad I finally got there for David Bowie week in 2019 just before COVID hit. I hope it returns. Doobies cannot be replicated. read more

Doobies - Dive Bars Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Doobies was great, but unfortunately it's closed. It was a fun dive bar, but it was an unfortunate casualty of COVID.

Doobs is a special place that has endured many decades and the pandemic. Patti recently won an award of the best bartenders to be friends with, which should NOT be mistaken as the friendliest bartender. She has a bunch of regulars who keep her company, which is good because it's a one-woman show. If you're looking to strike up a conversation with her to become a regular, I would suggest cats as your first topic. You could also complain about the Phils while they're inevitably on TV, which is always a safe choice in any Philly bar. read more

Okay...I had very high hopes for this spot and this is a very complicated experience hence the two star review. I walked for about half an hour in the rain trying to find a bar that was not too crowded and been meaning to try Doobies since moving to the city so tonight was the night..I went with the intention that I would love it here is what transpired. I come into the bar around 6:30pm on Eagles must win Sunday to make the playoffs bar is pretty empty okay by me, roll up to the bar and ask if there are any specials for the game. Bartender gives me an extremely unwelcoming look and says no, I ask do you have Coors light, she pauses no facial expression at all NO! I smile back as I am determined to give this place a proper yelp review. Okay, let's start with the aluminum 16oz Bud Light. Not many people at all in this place however very annoying group of four behind me in a booth playing a card game and yelling loudly the whole time (appeared to be college students) I wanted to leave but no I made the trip here and I will experience the Doobie's bar experience come hell or high water. I ask bartender for a menu and she scours and says I have nine million things to do and my shift is ending I can't make the food right now. Wow! No, I will not be deterred although my patience is wearing extremely thin. Best part of this bar is they have a very old school jukebox playing mostly David Bowie Songs. The bar is a David Bowie / Cat Bar as the owner has a crush on both. And she does not serve any Canadian beer due to the bludging of baby seals. I was informed they were out of all menu items with Chicken. I chose the spicy nuts and was informed they were out of that as well. Ended up getting the two dollar chicken dog with mustard. This bar has a lot of vibes going on as the only other patrons in there looked very into each other and making out at the bar, they were in there forties but it looked like true love and was beautiful. I am not going to count this bar out yet but my first experience could have been better would be an understandment. read more

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I truly miss living around the corner from Doobies. I've never found a place I've felt even remotely as comfortable in nor as happy to visit as I always did from my very first time at Doobies. Passyunk Square is a great neighborhood but I miss Patti and and I miss Doobies being only a block away. read more

I was really disappointed with my visit to this place. I heard it's supposed to be a good dive bar, but found it to be a miserable establishment. The owner was dismissive and grumpy. The bartender who eventually came in was even more miserable and refused to serve me because I was sitting at a table and should wait for the service provided by the owner. The food I was served was old and subpar for the cost, which was not a lot, but still more than it should've been. The beers on tap were mostly kicked and not replaced. They were not impressive and their local selection consisted of one brewery which is also nothing to write home about. The atmosphere was gloomy and sad and I wouldn't suggest this place to anyone. I've heard that they are struggling to stay afloat and can honestly say, I see why. read more

Probably my favorite bar in Philly alongside Oscar's or Dirty Frank's. Yes, the service is authentically Philly. Don't leave 1 star reviews when you know this is a dive bar and you get chewed out for being stupid. Many many different city wides here, and solid food menu. Cash only, but there's an ATM. Love how there are so many things here that support charities for animals. Like a previous reviewer said, it's a dope spot to drink and chill, and not be bothered. read more

This is a fun, comfortable neighborhood dive bar. It's filled with friendly regulars and staffed by fun bartenders. The owner is socially conscious and really cares about the neighborhood. read more

I love Doobie's. It's exactly what a bar should be. I met my wife here, 24 years ago. We're still together. Nuff said. read more

What did I miss? People, you know I love me a dive bar like nobody's business. So when my friend told me she was taking me here, I did the happy dance. But guess what? We walked in and it was like the scene in a movie where the needle gets scratched across the record. Crickets chirped. Everyone seemed to stop talking and gave us the stinkeye. WTF Doobies customers? Seriously. It turned out that we knew some people who were hanging out there that night, and we sat down for a few. But the spell was broken. I felt awkward and out of place. I tried to rekindle the magic, but no dice. Doobies and I did not have a love connection. Sigh. Chuck Wollery, where the hell were you when I needed you most? read more

Doobies - Dive Bars Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

How in the blue hell did I miss reviewing Doobie's after the UYE that Jim H. hosted here? That's right, I already established the fact that I'm a horrible slacker sometimes..... But enough about that. Doobie's is one of those bars that I've heard many stories about the legacy of before I ever set foot in it. And it's also one of those bars that I've walked by on several occasions due to the lack of signage; and fact that after a good sized tenure of school I vowed to spend not too much time looking at chalkboards. But when the time came to finally set foot inside I was looking forward to finding out how much of the legacy held up, and I was pleasantly surprised by how much of it was accurate. Doobie's might just be the only dive bar where you can watch a round of Jeopardy and have a good conversation with some of the patrons about the questions. Can't figure out the new name of the Sears Tower in Chicago now that Sears is no longer in business? The bartender has the perfect book to find that answer without missing a beat on what drinks you're ordering. Doobie's is just just that kind of Dive bar that has an endless amount of character that's pretty hard to resist. And it gives you games of Connect Four while you enjoy it. With the exception of Tritone, Doobie's is one of the only Philly dives that hook up some killer food. The soup that I had was impeccable. And there were plenty of burgers, smoked turkey sandwiches, and then some! And what a list of drinks and special they have! you definitely can't go wrong with a rotating cask on tap. For us it was Fuller's ESB, and it looks like it's now Dock Street's Man Full of Trouble. And the $5 for a can of Sly Fox and a shot of Bourbon special is pretty damn hard to resist! Consider all of this, and the toss in a jukebox that's chock full with plenty of classic tunes, and you have one o my favorite bars in Philly! read more

"Like drinking in your friend's rec room back in high school." "Close and cheap!" "Where everybody knows you're lame." These are my friends' descriptions of Doobie's that go back twenty years. Back when I was a younger man, this was my local. Good beer on tap and good food. Air conditioning when you needed it. Friendly service. Also, an incredible amount of second-hand smoke that never seemed to dissipate. Times change. My wife and I were in town for Philly Beer Week, and we decided to pay a visit, even though she abhors smoke and, therefore, harbored a grudge against Doobie's. We did know that the powers that be decided to interfere with property owners' rights by banning smoking in bars, but we had to see it for ourselves. It hadn't changed all that much. The food menu still had lots of vegetarian and vegan options. Still good beer on tap, including some Philly Beer Week entries. They had a new big screen TV. I recognized the bartender. Best of all, though, NO SMOKE! Incredible. The icing on the cake was the collection box that benefited cat adoptions. Congrats, Doobie's! You won my wife over! Do you know how difficult that is to do? You're on a very select list now. Of course, I always loved you. read more

Oh Doobies, how I LOVE you! I first fell in love with this bar, and it's owner Patti, when I read on a Facebook post that they refused to show any Eagle's games as long as Michael Vick was playing! As a HUGE pitbull advocate, I knew I just had to visit this bar when I was in Philly (at the time I was living in Los Angeles). I messaged Doobie's and told them how much I appreciated what they were doing. A few months later I was visiting Philly and made it a point to stop by. I met Patti, who is just the sweetest woman ever, and had a great time. The bar is small, cozy, and very friendly. There are many regulars and has almost a Cheer's like vibe. I've recently moved to Philly and made another appearance at Doobie's. I can tell you this is the place to go if you want a nice, stiff drink. The prices are great and the food is good too. I highly recommend stopping by. When you do, say hi to Patti for me! 5 STARS!! read more

Good dive bar with cheap beer. Wood paneling on the walls, extra tables and such stacked around (there must be several fire code violations), and locals just hangin' out. Surprisingly, there are a bunch of vegan options. The food wavers between average pub grub to pretty good. If you're in the neighborhood, you could do worse than Doobies. read more

Soft spot in my heart for this dive bar right in Center/Mid City (even though they no longer allow dogs inside). How cool would a true dog bar be??!! This bar is cash only but they have an ATM on site. They also have a small jukebox with a small but decent selection of music. 50 cents per song but if you put in a dollar you get three songs. The beer list is not bad: a small draught list and a good selection of bottles and cans. They also have wine and liquor. They sell food but I can't speak to the quality. You can order sandwiches or hot dogs, and looked like they had veg options etc. I think the bartender goes in the back to put the food together so sometimes there's a wait. But at least there's options in case you get hungry. I love the feel of the bar. The walls are filled with cat portraits and Bowie paraphernalia. Never change, Doobies. Unless you can let dogs back inside. Then do that. read more

Rediscovered this cool place two years ago during Philly Beer Week.I like to think of it as a "bohemian" bar as opposed to dive bar. Laid back atmosphere. Had some really great random conversations w/ total strangers. No pretense here. Great selection of beers, games, and expect to see a dog or two about. Their city wide special includes a can of Sly Fox - much better than that PBR crap! Always something spectacular on tap! Cool music on the jukebox. Pati the owner is a huge animal lover & advocate, and all around good soul. I met her this year. Last year I recommended this place to a friend from Australia who I hadn't seen in 25 years. Probably was the last time I was here! He was staying nearby and I said you gotta check this place out. He loved it and formed an instant friendship w/ Pati. Only downside is the Gent's. Really tiny and the smell can be nauseating. read more

It's a cash only dive bar. If you want glitz and glitter, go over to Chestnut St. or anyplace right off Rittenhouse Square. If you want to sit and drink unmolested, this is the place to go. Patty, the owner, is not very welcoming to newcomers but again, if you want a bartender who is your fake friend in order to get a big tip, there are plenty of other places to patronize. I come here when I want to drink and be left alone, or if I want to sit with a buddy, hang out for a long time and drink and shoot the shit. It's not a gay bar but I've never been made to feel unwelcome or uncomfortable here for my sexual preference, either. read more

I've heard of bars with board games but I always thought they were all myths. Things you only hear of but never see nor run across. Well, I stand corrected! This place had it all, Yahtzee, operation, monopoly and battleship's Grey goose, drafts, Jack Daniels, and Heineken's! Tis the end of our visit came to a flop, When the last bit of belvedere reached its last drop. We paid our tab and packed up the games, But not before calling a cab and checking in for fame read more

Wow...I have been wanting to check this place out for years and finally on a random night - me and a friend decided as we were driving from another location - let's go here - so we did and boy one of our best decisions. Immediately you can tell it is a local spot and we loved that!! When we saw the board games - I felt this is MY KINDA PLACE!! We struck up a conversation with a few folks sitting at the bar - grabbed "Apples to Apples". It was a fun time. Now, the draft list is good and they have a full bar too. It was a cool, laid back vibe overall - I wouldn't call this a dive bar really - more hippy/bohemian - just good energy. Flash: Cash Only!! I'll be back for sure and will definitely recommend. read more

Ok here's the thing about my experience here...I showed up here with 3 of my friends last Friday night. We came here because we wanted to play their board games. As my friend and I were buying beers at the bar, the bartender was speaking to another patron. She asked the patron "are you working this weekend?" "No" he said. Full of irony, the bartender replied "I know I am definitely working this weekend. I've got a $4000 vet bill to pay off. And the thing didn't even survive!" My friend, picking up on the irony, harmlessly and un-maliciously giggled. This slightly intimidating woman then turned to my friend, did a double take, went to black, and with utmost nastiness she said "Do you think that's funny!?" "No, no, I'm sorry" he replied. "That's terrible!" We all felt so uncomfortable after that. The bartender then proceeded to spend the rest of the night being unbelievably rude to me and my friends. She neglected to bring my friend a drink as she was serving me and my girlfriend. She kept giving us the "evil eye" all night. And she needlessly bumped into my other friend on several different occasions. I actually wanted to stay but my one friend made sure she didn't buy one drink more to make sure she didn't patronize such a rude bartender any more than she had to. I gather the bartender is the owner of the place, given her rapport with many of the other patrons and the cat tattoo she had on her upper arm. Look, I understand that what my friend did could be seen as insensitive. But to be completely honest, her statement to the other patron was smothered in irony, as ironic as saying "I spent $4000 on my car and the darn thing is still broken!" It was a mildly humorous thing to say. There was no sense of tragedy or mourning in how she said it and it certainly wasn't worth her unbelievably rude response and behavior. But way to make your customers feel unwelcome, intimidated, and uncomfortable! There's no excuse for that kind of behavior, nor was their any excuse to spend the next few hours being absolutely rude to us! The only reason this place doesn't have one star was because the board games were actually pretty fun. If you're looking for other fun Philly dive bars, there are plenty of other options. Stay far away from here! read more

Cool dive bar. Nice service and laid-back people. Very chill and relaxed environment. Board games were awesome and included Boggle, Scrabble, and Connect 4, along with some other games that I'm not familiar with. Great night with my roommate read more

Doobies - Connect 4 - Dive Bars Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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I guess people going to a bar to drink, right? I'm not a drinker, so I went with friends for a birthday hang out. If I look from outside and not coming with friends, I would not go in. It's like a hole in a wall place, looks dingy, and like a small family run kind of thing....very low key. Just a basic coke, my drink is completely flat like a syrup water. The turkey burger I ordered has RAW mushrooms in it.....yuk! The only edible thing is Nachos....what can go wrong with Nachos right? The place has a lot of board games you can sit and play with friends. There's comedy night at 9.30pm on the night I was there, but I left before that when the place is starting to get crowded. So go for beers or something, but not for food! read more

I love Doobie's. I particularly enjoyed going there mid afternoon on a Saturday when it was almost deserted and playing Connect 4 and Trivial Pursuit for hours. I had the hard cider which was great and there's also a good beer selection (so I'm told). It really is the perfect neighbourhood dive bar and my ideal kind of hang out. Staff are extremely friendly, as are the regulars. They do food too which I didn't try but it looked decent. Too bad I never got to go to their quizzo - I bet it's really fun! read more

Mid conversation, i heard the distinct noise of plastic coins hitting the bar and my pop culture infused mind immediately played , " Pretty sneaky, sis!" . Because I was interested in what my friend was saying, I didnt investigate what the noise really was. It was soon after that I noticed the familiar Connect 4 game stand, towering next to a shortie Sly Fox can and empty shot glass. It was surreal. Doobies is a cool little speak-easy, just askew from center city. It was McThrill, who suggested it as a venue for the Get to Know me! makeup date. I agreed because of the stellar reviews ,that friends and trusted Yelpers have given it. I found free and easy parking a few blocks south of Doobies, and headed to the corner of 22nd and Lombard. When I got there, I was confused. I saw what I assumed was Doobies, however sans signwork, I wasnt sure. Luckily, from out of the shadows, emerged McThrill, who confirmed I was in the right place. After trying to go in through the out door, we eventually found the section of the wall which allowed entry. It was a cool little place, "little" being the optimum word. I dont think an event of any larger magnitude would work here, but it was certainly cozy and perfect for the motley crew who showed this time. Im still amazed that of all the Yelpers, who ive been lucky enough to meet, none have disappointed and none have been tools.Lots of good people up in here, thats for sure. Drinks were great, food looked good (although I didnt dig in) and the barkeep was cool (Ill hold my opinion of the creepy "server" that lurked always nearby). I managed to have a good time without spending more than $20. Back to Connect 4. What a novel idea, to have some old-school board games, for the patrons to enjoy. I was half-tempted to bust out that Game of Life and play a few months. As everyone was well met, and the party wound down, I set off into the mean streets of Philly to find my car. I must have gotten turned around because it took me a while to find where I parked my car. Apparently I had too good a time at Doobies, and most likely, the extra brisk walking time was needed before the trip home. Pretty sneaky...Doobies! read more

With some time to kill before the Victory beer dinner last night, I decided to meet up with some of yelp's finest in one of the city's diviest. I'll admit, walking up to the bar I was a tad nervous that I'd be the only person to show, as there were some mixed messages during the day about whether or not a pregame was still taking place. I opened the door and felt relief wash over as the smiling faces of Jim H. and Chris V. greeted me from the end of the bar. While introducing myself to "Jack" and Stephen H., I became keenly aware that my loud mouth was carrying and that every other patron was now well aware that this was a meet-up of friends from the Internet. Flustered, I took a seat and realized that I had walked right by Dan C. in the process (Sorry, Dan, I'm blaming it on the suit!), prompting me to get up for another round of hugs and hellos. Finally, I returned to my post and ordered a Flying Fish. The bartender gave a heads-up that the version on tap was actually the Grand Cru Winter ale, and since I had never tried it before, he offered a taste. Happy day, I was met with what instantly became my new favorite seasonal! My introduction to Doobie's was cut short as our event times drew near, but I was happy for the opportunity to check the place out. The warm and friendly service we received is definitely enough to bring me back, and any place with rumors of David Bowie's presence in the 70s gets an extra star from me. Any coincidence that Golden Years has been playing on a continuous loop in my head ever since? I think not! read more

Though I'm super stingy with ratings, the three stars I'm giving Doobies belie how choice a dive bar this bunker-like corner spot is. Not everyone's partial to a good hole in the wall, but our UYE on a balmy winter Tuesday provided the occasion to sample what I've come to think of as one of the city's best. A hairball bartender named Jim, $5 special Sly Fox beercans with a shot of bourbon, and a sterling selection of 70s and 80s little-known classics on the jukebox, and the scene is set for a grimy good time. As for the patrons, if the midweek regulars are any indication, this joint attracts plenty of hella cool urbanites. A Dirty Frank's on the Rittenhouse/Fitler side of town, but less blown out and cozier. Stop in. read more

Oh Doobies, the strange land of good draft beer, cat fundraisers, dogs in (on?) the bar, and any board game your heart could desire. I can't even classify this as a dive bar, though it is in it's own right, I shall call it a "strange bar." Very affectionately, mind you. This is the type of place that I go to usually when I'm already drinking and/or drunk. It's not my place to go for a beer and to watch the game. You could try doing that, I guess, but the TV is usually tuned to game shows or the Food Network. That's cool Doobies. I agree with one reviewer that some of the servers can get surly. It's kinda what they're there for. Just being nasty and bringing you beer. I mean look how many drunk idiots they deal with regularly, right? On the other hand, I have met some of the kindest bartenders here as well, and the owner who is usually present it also very nice and easy to talk to. I've learned a few things at Doobies: You can bring your dog and your child here at prime time on Friday night-both are allowed to sit at the bar. You can come here alone and wallow sadly in a beer and no one will bother you. You can donate all your monies to cat/animal fundraisers. And to top it off-I cannot beat my boyfriend at Connect Four NO MATTER HOW HARD I TRY!! Damnit! read more

The front door is the side door, there's maybe one half-lit yuengling neon in the window to give you the idea that theres a bar inside this place, and theres absolutely no signage telling you where you are is actually where you want to be until you get inside. doobies, i want you inside me. Ive gotten locked inside the bathroom (which is hilarious once you escape, though it can be an obese persons nightmare) more than once, played back to back to back David Bowie albums on the juke without complaint or interruption, and have eaten spaghetti and meatballs here with my dog. If you ever want to get drunk with your mutt, listen to Tom Waits Closing Time in its entirety, all while being bothered by no one, this is your pad everytime. forever. read more

I came here for a UYE held by the illustrious/notorious Jim H. I'd actually never been over in this part of Philly before, so it was nice to walk over and see a little slice of Fitler Square. I actually walked past it since it's pretty much two doors inset into a building on the corner. Thankfully I saw the sandwich/beer board on my return trip. Inside I was greeted by a warm atmosphere with lights that reminded me of the best of the neighborhood bars I used to go to back in Chicago. The bartender took my beer order and I settled into a nice comfortable night of talking to The Limey and the rest of the Yelpers. The Fullers ESB cask was phenomenal. The food was good too. The smoked turkey sandwich I got was damn tasty, though it was a tad light on the toppings and meat. The people were an interesting mix of Ryan Adams looking hipsters, 20 somethings, the Yelpers, and the emo looking server. As Jim H alluded to earlier, there were in fact people playing Connect Four, as well as people watching Jeopardy. For $1000 when will Jim go back to Doobies? What is really damn soon, Alex? read more

THIS PLACE SUCKS! It's a terrible, terrible place for a night out with friends. The place is small and congested, the waitress is super rude and the waiting time is ridiculous. One would expect the rates to be super cheap given the terrible behavior and service from the staff, but that ain't the case either. The 4 star rating is EXTREMELY misleading. Don't go to Doobies, they don't deserve your business. read more

Long overdue in giving Doobie's some love as we have drank here a lot, and drank a lot here. It's easy to do, it's a comfortable dive. It's a neighborhood spot; a wood paneled corner bar with friendly bartenders and conversational regulars. On the latter note, I mean, I once had a lengthy conversation about the career of actress Kate Mulgrew. The randomness of that chat alone just warms the cockles of my wretched heart. I have many examples of that sort of thing here, but as you can tell I just wanted to bring up Kate Mulgrew. Mulgreeeew... OK, and on the very same night, I met a group of French students and so I sneakily played them a small selection of Edith Piaf tunes, because I am a walkin talkin example of cliche choices. "Hey, ya like that don't ya, French people?!" Oh they did. Got some laughs, what can I tell you... Why am I bringing this hazy memory to your attention? Because they have Edith Piaf on the jukebox. That's why! They have a great ol jukebox full of such a great variety of eclectic choices and a lotta lotta David Bowie through the ages. It's wonderful and I'm a fool for such wonderful jukeboxes, I tell you. Has to be one of the best in Philly. It always seems to keep us there longer than we planned, extra pitchers of beer included. read more

now this is a real dive bar. i can't believe how great doobie's is when it isn't shrouded in a layer of smoke so thick you can barely make out your pint in front of your face! um, yeah... i've been away from philly for a while and used to come here that long ago. don't judge. LOVE that the have vegan and vegetarian food options on their extensive menu, and i just adore that they have collection jars to help kitties. bartenders are cool, jukebox is filled with gems, and the crowd is mellow and friendly. now if only i could find a place like this is SoCal.... perhaps only in my dreams. read more

Ed C & I went here, dressed alike without even trying (we spend a lot of time together), on Friday night. The service was friendly, but a little slow when we were trying to leave, but otherwise, a great experience. I love a good dive bar...& a good dive bar w/ good food, even better! First of all, they have board games! We played Candyland (not as fun with just grownups) & Operation (they changed the game & made it easier, significantly less fun). I went to grab Clue, but our vegan nachos(!!!) were ready, so the game playing stopped. And those vegan nachos...amazing. And so was the veggie burger...might even be one of the best I've ever had. I ordered it with cheddar (I think it was Teese), sauteed mushrooms, & sauerkraut! DELISH! I would go here again...convenient walking distance from my apartment, vegan friendly, good beer selection, & again, GAMES! It would be fun with even more of my friends (Apples to Apples!) & it would be fun on a date too. FYI, cash only. P.S. Doggies are welcome! read more

What a great little bar. The second time I ended up here there was a benefit going on for cats! I mean, come on who doesn't love cats! There were some great raffles, including free pitchers given away every hour. I love a bar that has no problem having cool little events like this. I've had a couple great nights at this bar. I've seen the same waitress there and she's always great. Quick to take your order and quick with the food. The bartender trusted us telling him how many drinks we've had at the end of our night. I really like the size of this place. A couple of tables which are pretty close together. Also, they have a decent selection of board games to pass the time, even gamble on! Definitely make it a point to stop here, even if it is just for the incredibly polite staff. read more

Doobie's is one of those places that feels like it's an old man's drinking bar, but you can go to it while you're still young. The dark wood walls have captured the scent of many years of smoking, and though no one smokes there now, you can still smell it in the air. It's a cozy place, and it's dark, nearly windowless interior gives you the feeling that when you step outside after hours of drinking you'll find that several inches of snow had accumulated while you were inside - even in September. A night at Doobie's starts off slowly, but as people start to pile in one by one, it reinforces those feelings of going to a bar in the middle of a snow storm and finding a crowd of other people with the same idea, when everyone should've just stayed home. The crowd is friendly, the jukebox plays low, the pitchers are decently priced (I wouldn't say cheap), and the food menu is enticing. It's a chill neighborhood bar to stop by to watch the game in good company, play some cards, and relax. read more

In all my years, I never thought I'd be a barfly. Heck, I barely even drink, maybe one or two good beers a month. And yet, Doobies has turned me into exactly that. The first few times I went, I felt a little on the outside, because there are so many regulars, but truth be told, I took the time to talk to the bartenders, and from there I met some of the greatest people who have ever worked at, or hung out in, a bar The food is not your usual bar food, there is nothing deep fried. What there is, is a mostly home-made, ever changing menu which sports many veggie/vegan dishes as well as your carnivores delights. The beer choices are varied and wonderful, and the beer engine is a feature not found in many places. I can always count on seasonal craft beers, and enough choices for anyone's tastes. Sunday nights one can find anywhere from one to four Scrabble games going on, and everyone is encouraged to join in. The bottom line - the best staff I have EVER encountered works at Doobies. To a one, they are wonderful people. I occasionally go elsewhere, but Doobies is truly my "Home Bar." P.S. The jukebox is amazing, though I love the nights when one can watch Futurama on the TV above the bar. read more

Doobies is a place worth going, if you've got nobody to impress. It's a great bar to grab a table, a pitcher, and unwind. They do have a very vegan-friendly menu, but I've never had food there that's been too good. Instead, it's the cheap pitchers, frequent drink specials, and the O'Reilley's stout (which I think is Philly's competitive answer to Guinness) that makes Doobies fun. It's also pretty cool to see a city bar that has a night-to-night crowd of regulars under 35. If Cheers were indie-rock and in Philadelphia, it would have been called Doobies. Sorry Sam Malone. read more

I went here on a recommendation that is was a fun place to go. Really quirky and all that with board games, juke box, Christmas lights on the walls... You get the idea. It had all of those things, yet what made itself clear when you walk in the door is that the crowd inside is really tight knit. Make sure you're coming with friends because most likely you won't make any new ones here. The beer menu was decent, prices were fine, and the ambiance was interesting. However, the vibe from the crowd was a little frigid. I've never had this happen in another other Philly bar. I've often thought of going back, but am turned off by the idea that it might put me in a bad mood. Smoking sometimes spontaneously erupts inside as well. It is posted smoking only outside (with a designated area), but hey, this is a club house. They'll do as they please. I've been told that I should give it another try so maybe my rating will change. However, I'm really put off from going back. read more

Like many in Philadelphia, Doobie's was the first bar I ever frequented as an underager. Of course, policies have become more stringent due to a recent bust, I believe. Definitely a locals bar, though many have come for the legendary jukebox. In an age of flashy computer screen jukeboxes that charge an arm and a leg for crappy songs, it's great to see one that still exists with an incredible range of music to boot. The food is no-frills - in fact, most of it is "ding-ding" food (microwaved). Somehow, it always still comes out quite tasty. The beer selection is great, and the tables outside are nice in the warmer months. read more