Name: 254
Address: 254 S 12th St, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
Telephone: (215) 964-9675
Rating: 3.6

Philadelphia

Sports bar downstairs meets plush lounge upstairs, drawing a diverse crowd for game & theme nights.

Avenues Cafe is a restaurant in Philadelphia. Located at 7201 Germantown Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19119, USA.

Avenues Cafe

Bar X is a bar in Philadelphia. Located at 255 S Camac St, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA.

Bar X

Featuring a cafe offering tea & free WiFi, this shop stocks progressive & multicultural titles.

Big Blue Marble Bookshop

Breakfast & lunch fare plus coffee are served at this caffeine bar with a mosaic-adorned facade.

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Veteran gay bar with different vibes on 4 levels including sports-viewing, dancing & more.

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Worn-in barroom famous for its cheap beer-&-a-shot special, live jazz & lively energy.

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Scenic rooftop with cool vibes offering wine, craft beer & rotating chefs. No reservations required.

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Brown Street Cafe is a restaurant in Philadelphia. Located at 2545 Brown St, Philadelphia, PA 19130, USA.

Brown Street Cafe

Charming bakery for sweet & savory treats, like house-baked muffins, quiches, layer cakes & more.

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This tri-level nightclub entertains a lively crowd with DJs, drag shows & theme nights.

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Condesa is a restaurant in Philadelphia. Located at 1830 Ludlow St, Philadelphia, PA 19103, USA.

Condesa

Crust Vegan Bakery is a restaurant in Philadelphia. Located at 4409 Main St, Philadelphia, PA 19127, USA.

Crust Vegan Bakery

Danny's Midnight Confessions is a shop in Philadelphia. Located at 133 S 13th St, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA.

Danny's Midnight Confessions

Dankbaar

Cozy venue handcrafting all-natural bath products & hosting events highlighting how they're made.

Duross & Langel

Hip club with a throwback vibe offering craft beer, glowing walls (& murals), go-go dancers & DJs.

Dolphin Tavern

Store offering urban-use commuter & cargo bikes plus a selection of used cycles, gear & repairs.

Fairmount Bicycles

Fabrika is a bar in Philadelphia. Located at 1108 Frankford Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19125, USA.

Fabrika

Old-time American classics & cocktails dovetail with the kitschy decor at this retooled revival.

Franky Bradley's

Fringe Bar is a bar in Philadelphia. Located at 140 N Christopher Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19106, USA.

Fringe Bar

Grace & Proper is a bar in Philadelphia. Located at 941 S 8th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147, USA.

Grace & Proper

ILLEExotics is a shop in Philadelphia. Located at 1704-06 E Passyunk Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19148, USA.

ILLEExotics

A sleek bar with world-wide wines by the glass or bottle, plus cocktails, small plates & brunch.

Jet Wine Bar

Upscale cocktailing & New American dining in a stylish venue with a piano lounge & late-night scene.

Knock

Spacious brewery & tasting room with visiting food trucks in a former rail-parts factory.

Love City Brewing

Garage door-fronted cafe with locally sourced eats & an upstairs bar hosting live music at night.

MilkBoy Philadelphia

Lively Mexican spot for cocktails, aguas frescas, tacos & share plates in bright, 2nd-floor digs.

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Mural City Cellars is a bar in Philadelphia. Located at 1831 Frankford Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19125, USA.

Mural City Cellars

Gift boutique offering stylish home accessories, bath & body products, jewelry & baby gear.

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Philadelphia Gay News is a venue in Philadelphia. Located at 41 N 40th St, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.

Philadelphia Gay News

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Poison Heart

Chic bar serving classic & innovative cocktails alongside creative small dishes.

This renovated diner with an outdoor beer garden serves classics like fried chicken & meatloaf.

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Solar Myth is a bar in Philadelphia. Located at 1131 S Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19147, USA.

Solar Myth

Easygoing pub offering New American fare, several TVs & lots of beer options, plus weekend brunch.

SouthHouse

South Street Art Mart is a shop in Philadelphia. Located at 530 S 4th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147, USA.

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Stir Lounge

Relaxed hipster bar with food & drink specials, pool tables plus toys & candy on the bar.

Tattooed Mom

American pub grub served in gay-friendly tavern known for its piano singalongs & dance parties.

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THE Igloo is a restaurant in Philadelphia. Located at 2223 Grays Ferry Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19146, USA.

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Cool, industrial-style brewery, taproom & event space featuring beer, cocktails & a chef-driven food menu.

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Unpretentious gay bar with an exposed-brick interior & a selection of craft & imported beers on tap.

U Bar

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Fashionable high-rise hotel featuring a rooftop pool, a spa & a gym, plus a restaurant & bars.

W Philadelphia

&ndy

A karaoke event scheduled for May 8, 2026, starting at 19:00 and ending at 01:30. The event details include a promotional image and a link to more information. The event is hosted at an unspecified venue in Philadelphia, PA, and is part of the PhillyGayCalendar events lineup.

254 South 12th Street

Friday Night Karaoke

Weekly social event at 254 featuring community activities.

Hump(!) Wednesdays

An event celebrating hip hop music in conjunction with Pride, scheduled for June 6, 2026, from 14:00 to 15:30. The event aims to bring together music enthusiasts and the LGBTQ+ community for an afternoon of performances and festivities in Toronto.

Hip Hop Meets Pride

An in-person event featuring Olivia Lux from RuPaul’s Drag Race, performing drag acts and engaging with the audience. The event includes different ticket options: Standing Room for $20, Seated Admission for $30, and Meet & Greet for $45, which includes a photo opportunity with Olivia Lux. The event lasts approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes, is for attendees aged 21 and over, and takes place at 254 South 12th Street, Philadelphia, PA.

Pep Rally with Olivia Lux

DJ Nanita at 2026 Grandstand Experience

Juda Bennett discusses his memoir, *QTOPIA: A Memoir of Love, Land, and Liberation*, in conversation with Davy Knittle. The event explores Bennett’s journey from suburbia into the back-to-the-land movement, his experiences with communal living, and themes of queer utopia, resilience, and radical transformation. The event includes a book signing and takes place at Philly AIDS Thrift @ Giovanni's Room.

Juda Bennett signing QTOPIA

Pride House WC Watch Party

Philadelphia Falcons Soccer Club

A community event where people can watch the World Cup together at Pride House WC.

Join us every Friday night at 254 in Philadelphia for the gayest karaoke experience in downtown Philadelphia. Hosted by Lamia, this event features a library of over 20,000 songs across various genres including R&B, heavy metal, musical theater, and more. Sign-ups start at 9:00 PM, and the karaoke session runs until 2:00 AM. The event is open to individuals aged 21 and over with valid ID. Enjoy a lively night of singing and entertainment in a welcoming environment.

An all-male revue featuring hot, sizzling dancers performing every Thursday at Bar X in Philadelphia. The event runs from 9:00 PM to 11:55 PM, with the show starting at 10:00 PM. Cover charge is $5. The venue is located at 255 S Camac St, Philadelphia, PA 19107.

Men of Philly Male Revue

Join us every Friday night at 254 in downtown Philadelphia for the gayest karaoke experience. Hosted by Lamia, the session features a library of over 20,000 songs across genres including R&B, heavy metal, musical theater, and more. Sign-ups start at 9:00 PM, and the event runs until 2:00 AM. This is a 21+ event requiring valid ID, with free admission.

Drag University is an amateur drag competition held on the 2nd Floor Main Stage at 254, South 12th Street, Philadelphia. Taking place on July 24, 2026, from 22:00 to 23:30, the event features new amateur drag performers showcasing their creativity and talent, with critiques from local Philly favorites. Participants compete for a $100 prize and a guest performance spot in the following month's show. The event is for attendees aged 21 and over, with no cover charge.

Drag University

An evening event at 254 hosted by Lamia, exploring transformation themes.

Shapeshift

The bar has received mixed reviews, with many patrons expressing dissatisfaction with the food quality and service. Common complaints include poorly prepared food, unfriendly bartenders, and issues with the sound system during karaoke. However, some customers enjoyed the atmosphere and found the bar to be a fun place to visit after events. Overall, the experience seems to vary significantly depending on the day and staff.

Philadelphia's Gayborhood (Washington Square West) is one of the most historic LGBTQ+ districts in the US, with rainbow street signs and a rich queer history. Popular venues include Woody's, Tavern on Camac, and Voyeur. Philly Pride is a major celebration, and the city hosts events like OutFest and the Philadelphia International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival. Philadelphia's queer community is known for its activism, diverse representation, and strong sense of community across all neighborhoods.

254

About

What People Say

Location

Hours

Events at 254

Upcoming events

August 2026

Shapeshift

Past events (last 90 days)

May 2026

Friday Night Karaoke

Friday Night Karaoke

Hump(!) Wednesdays

June 2026

Hip Hop Meets Pride

Pep Rally with Olivia Lux

Pep Rally with Olivia Lux

DJ Nanita at 2026 Grandstand Experience

Juda Bennett signing QTOPIA

Pride House WC Watch Party

July 2026

Friday Night Karaoke

Men of Philly Male Revue

Friday Night Karaoke

Drag University

Take Philadelphia's queer scene with you

More bars in Philadelphia

Bar X

Bike Stop, The

Bob & Barbara's Lounge

Bok Bar

More in Philadelphia

Avenues Cafe

Big Blue Marble Bookshop

Black 'n' Brew

Photos