Music is all about passion and taste. For some, spending a night at a ratty bar filled with crusty art students taking advantage of drink specials (a shot of Bourbon and a PBR for $3…$4 with tip…don’t be cheap) trying to tell if that baby band on stage shows enough promise to even try to remember their name sounds like a perfect evening.  To others, the luxury of an air-conditioned balcony with a full view of the stage and a $12 cocktail in hand seems more appealing.  To understand the music scene of Philadelphia, you must know where to go to find what you’re looking for. Philadelphia’s regional music scene has been blossoming lately, and many Philadelphians are realizing that you don’t have to go the Spectrum or the Susquehanna Bank Center to experience music the way it was intended: live.

M Room (short for the Manhattan Room) is an up-and-coming Indy rock haven. Located within 500 feet of Johnny Brenda’s, perhaps the illest venue in the city, the M Room has positioned itself as the latest hot spot music joint in Philly.  It takes about 40 people to pack the room.  When this happens, a very cool, intimate, party-like atmosphere blossoms. The drinks are very budget-friendly, and the bartenders are as raw and surly as you’d imagine bartenders who have worked at these spots their whole lives would be. The happy hour menu is full of great deals on food and drink.  Check it out!