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Ray's Happy Birthday Bar

3.7 (162 reviews)
InexpensiveDive Bars
Closed 7:00 am - 2:00 AM (Next day)

Ray's Happy Birthday Bar Photos

Business Info

RAY'S HAPPY BIRTHDAY BAR ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Divey
Loud
Karaoke
Good for dancing

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Recommended Reviews - Ray's Happy Birthday Bar

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Bartender on wednesday night is a weirdo. I've had good experiences at this bar before and the group I was with actually just arrived and had only had time to order a single drink SO FAR. Next, the bartender hands us 2 N/A Peronis like thats normal and when we say something he says 'No because you arent tipping anyway' Definitely racist, mostly weird. Every single person with us works in the service industry, TRUST we were going to take care of you but you had to be a bitch. I wish I poured the drinks on the floor. We were ready to spend an hour in here, We had to just go.

a neon sign
Mike R.

Wow! Brought my visiting buddy out for a real Philly cheesesteak and looked for an old school local bar nearby. My nephew found this gem of a dive bar. Coincidently, the next day was my buddy's 70th. Love this place! Will return when in the area, even if it's not the birthday of anyone I know. Friendly bartender! Great vibe! (Sadly we missed the Karaoke... but there's next time.) Ray's Happy Birthday Bar is the way to go!

a man dressed as a ghost
Denise P.

If you want a beer and a shot in an unassuming bar, this is your place. Don't go looking for anything else. The jukebox selections were fantastic and the bartender was very friendly and helped move around a bunch of chairs to seat our group as more people arrived.

Angie B.

I've known about this place FOREVER. I've passed by it, talked to people who have been regulars here and have thought to stop in on more than one occasion. But today was the day. My oldest daughter and I had time to kill before our next gathering and wanted to get a few drinks. We ended up here. It's definitely a neighborhood, "everybody knows your name" type vibe but still welcoming for those who don't. I ordered a couple of whiskey sours because my kid wants a somewhat "sweet" drink. Mike, the bartender became invested in my choice and instead of just serving the average drink he made a cocktail that included (but was not limited to) turmeric and ginger. It was absolutely delicious. We had another and stopped short of having another because well, we had two. This was just a great place to be and Mike was a stand out. It doesn't have to be your birthday to be happy at The Happy Birthday Bar.

Classic dive bar on a triangular corner in South Philly
Jeff H.

Often listed among the top 'dive' bars in America, Ray's Happy Birthday Bar is a South Philly institution.  Since the end of Prohibition, Ray's has been a legendary gathering place for locals who patronize this triangular corner bar.  It got its name as back in the day one of the owners used to greet everyone with a "Happy Birthday" when they entered.  And still on your birthday, a Citywide will be served to you free of charge.  You don't know what a Philly Citywide Special is.  Well that my friends is a lager and a shot.  And costing just over four bucks, I can't tell you how many Citywides are sold here every day.  This is a Cheers type bar - everyone is friendly.  And the clientele is as varied as the neighborhood.  One of the owners once said that a newcomer drinking here is not a stranger .... just a friend we haven't met yet!

Dec 2019 Merry Christmas from "Natalie and Gio".
Gio M.

I absolutely love it here. Fun-loving, diverse, polite, happy crowd. Classic neighborhood. Very accommodating staff. Show your ID and get a drink on the house for your birthday. Check out Saturdays once a month for the "Now You See Us" Comedy Show. Natalie K Levant and Dan Maho, Sr bring Philly's best and brightest comics for a fin night of laughs. No cover charge. Parking sucks. Take Uber or Lyft or just walk. Located right around the corner from Pat's and Geno's, even residential permit only, handicapped, and tow away garage driveways are ignored by the "I'll just be a minute." Pat's and Geno's crowd.

Carolina S.

Do my ears deceive me!?! A place where birthdays are celebrated every day!! How is this possible? The last time I was in Philly my roommate told me to check this bar out. I ran out of time. And lucky for me the next time I was town for a friend's wedding..it was only a few days shy of my day of birth!! And on top of that it's an OLD MAN dive bar!! Like a mouse to cheese... a day after shopping, pizza, coffee and beer, I was pulled in to the Birthday Bar. I went with my friend's friend and eventually asked Peter the bartender if I could possibly have my shot early since I had a birthday on Monday. His response was "come back Monday". I stared doe eyed. And only a few minutes later I was handed the crazy hat and a shot of vanilla flavored vodka in a shot glass and the glass was in a silicone cupcake wrapper and a lit candle on the side. Peter came through for me for my special day! What a guy! And he even takes a picture of you and then it's on Facebook! This place is one of five smoking bars so consider yourself warned. Also I heard some action in the back room and there is definitely karaoke. And you will be hit on by some interesting characters. And if all this doesn't tempt you then I really don't know what will! Good luck with your snorefest! And Happy Birthday to all who enter! (on your birthday or close enough of course)

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Chill neighborhood bar. No food only drinks, cash only. Karaoke on Friday. Prices were decent. Come on your birthday for a free shot. Thanks

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Review Highlights - Ray's Happy Birthday Bar

. Despite the proximity to Pat's and Geno's, the crowd is mercifully bro-free

Mentioned in 11 reviews

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Good Dog Bar - Short Rib Grilled Cheese

Good Dog Bar

3.9(1.5k reviews)
1.1 miAvenue of the Arts South, Rittenhouse Square
$$

Good bar with solid food offerings. We needed a place to…read morenosh and watch some basketball during our visit to Philly. Good Dog checked the boxes. Multiple TV's, a good variety of draft and canned beverages, and good food choices. The soup special for the day was split pea with ham. Talk about a little childhood nostalgia, Hit the spot! The french fries and wings were also good. Great place to take a break while walking around the city.

This hole in the wall was really cute. Super small, love the dog photos all over the wall. I came…read morefor a conference and I liked the welcome message they wrote on the wall. I'm not sure how accountable this review will be, as I did take out not stayed. They were having happy hour but it didn't count for me as I was take out I guess. I got the mozzarella sticks were bomb with the sauce and I got the creamy Mac and cheese. I was excited for the Mac and cheese because I had one last night that was amazing from somewhere else. I got back to my hotel my second but I found a hair. Like a fatty I threw it to the side and kept eating it anyways. Unlike a true fatty, I didn't finish it. So unholy for a Mac and cheese lover like myself... but it was too acidic for me. I couldn't keep eating it. So I'm basing this review solely on the food. The service seemed ok? They seemed nice, but can't judge that as I did take out.

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Good Dog Bar - Good dogs at the Good Dog 4/10/25

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Good Dog Bar - Fried Mozzarella

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Good Dog Bar - Softshell crab sandwich special

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Ye Olde Ale House - roast beef + sharp provolone + gravy on the side (on the side is the way to go, standard)

Ye Olde Ale House

4.0(236 reviews)
12.2 mi
$

Finally got here! Ye Olde Ale House My good buddy Erik…read moreMalmberg has been telling me about these beef sandwiches since the day I first met him. Recently, The Godfather of Meat did a keen review and video, in which everything looked awesome. It took us about 45 minutes from Emmaus, and it was worth the trip. House made roasted beef with the house gravy on a sensational Kaiser roll -- was what we came for and they delivered! Piled high and fresh with provolone cheese. This is the best beef sandwich I have had in decades. Simple quality at its finest! This has quickly become my gold standard classic beef sandwich. The "Matt Fries", were interesting and completely unique: fresh crispy fries topped with generous black pepper, old bay seasoning, Parmesan cheese and Turkey gravy. It worked! We enjoyed them and the large portion was more than enough for 2-3 people. Steph Rush very much enjoyed the mussels in red sauce -- another generous portion, served with was bread. I had an order of the cold shrimp , which is weekends only. Fresh, cooked perfectly and extra horseradish in the cocktail sauce by request. We were overjoyed with what we ordered and I love they have birch beer on tap, my favorite! The joint was packed and busy, our waitress had her hands full in her section. We are looking forward to a return trip ! #rushieeats

I like the vibe of this place. You can tell it is a neighborhood staple. No frills, been here…read moreforever. A solid roast beef sandwich. Where the stars are lacking for me is on cleanliness amd attention to detail. Mozzarella sticks were cold in the middle. Tables and chairs need to be wiped down better. The table condiment holders were not very clean.

Photos
Ye Olde Ale House - Watching the sandwiches get put together -

Watching the sandwiches get put together -

Ye Olde Ale House - Buffalo chicken wings

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Ye Olde Ale House - Exterior

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Exterior

Ray's Happy Birthday Bar - divebars - Updated May 2026

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