Dolphin Tavern — Restaurant in Philadelphia

I've been to the Dolphin more times than I can count. Not only can I recommend it to anyone in South Philly, but it's worth the trip using the Broad St line. Every week, I check The Dolphin's website for the upcoming parties, which vary from a drag extravaganza to a surprise big name in techno (e.g., Seth Troxler--squee).

I like room to dance, so I show up early or late. The weeknight parties are just my style. $5 cover usually. And I love to people watch. The crowds vary, but there's always a casual, stylish vibe. Couples kissing on the dance floor, head nodders, and a sprinkling of boisterous dancers (wear sensible shoes).

I have to give a shout out to Will who is the manager who helped me when someone walked away with my coat. He scoured every inch of the place and then paid for an Uber, so I wasn't cold walking home. And I believe him when he said he'd call if the coat was returned.

Does this story sour my feelings about The Dolphin? Hell, no. I'm not naive. I brought my ugliest, ill fitting jacket. And I kept all my belongings on my person (it'd be bananas to leave something in a jacket with no coat check).

One incident after attending maybe 100 parties over the years cements my love...

I love this place. So much. I come every weekend. But their Covid protocols have been confusing and staff has been downright rude. The website of dolphin says that to get in, a “vaccine card or a selfie of you getting the shot will do”. We had a whole debacle of if the vaccine card or the selfie counted even though their website says so. We were denied admission and management said “oh well” even after showing them what their website said. If you’re going to very clearly make a requirement on your website, staff should follow it. It was a bummer to Uber there following the website Covid protocols and then be denied for a reason that was never listed. Just such a buzzkill. We left obviously but I really do love dolphin. Just… if your website says something follow it or take it down!!! So confusing...

The quality of my evening at Dolphin is always unpredictable. One night, I could be having the time of my life, exchanging smiles with everyone, the square light show in sync with the music, everybody dancing and drinks flowing. I saw Seth Troxler there in 2021 and it was genuinely top 3 best nights of my year. Sometimes you go in there, it stinks, bouncers have a rotten attitude, people pushing and shoving on the dance floor (not in a fun mosh-pit way). I have had many more fun times at dolphin than not. Just know, it's a wildcard and you can't let one bad night there ruin all the nights for yourself there. It's definitely very queer-friendly space and worth going to on different niche...