Arts & Vintage · South Philadelphia
South Street
Front Street to 8th.
Eclectic and bohemian. South Street's blocks run east-west between Headhouse Square and Broad Street, lined with vintage clothing shops, independent record stores, galleries, and quirky gift shops — the countercultural heart of Philadelphia since the 1960s.
Vintage Shops · Record Stores · Galleries · Quirky Gifts · Tattoo Studios
- In our directory
- 14 shopseach one verified
- Where
- South PhiladelphiaArts & Vintage
- Right now
- Typical hoursNoon–8pm
- Getting here
- Bus Route 40Runs along South St
The directory
14 shops, all in one place.
Tap a shop or a dot on the map to see it.
Vintage5 places
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Historic LGBTQ+ bookstore (founded 1973, named for Baldwin's novel) combined with a non-profit thrift shop. Philly AIDS Thrift took ownership in 2014 when original owner Ed Hermance retired. 12th & Pine in the Gayborhood.
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Nonprofit thrift store at 5th and Bainbridge with designer racks, a $1 rack, a music room and electronics. Halloween is its busiest season, when the floor fills with costumes, accessories and decorations.
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South Street vintage shop for '70s leather jackets and high-waisted Levi's.
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Vintage clothing shop on the Fabric Row stretch of 4th Street.
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Vintage shop on 4th Street that also sells seasonal decor.
Records & music2 places
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South Street's go-to vinyl destination. Expertly curated stock from $1 bins to rare collectibles. Strong in rock, soul, and jazz.
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Industrial, goth, darkwave, EBM specialist since 1992. New vinyl + band merch + niche imports, plus a sharp used-vinyl bin that rewards digging.
View shop page →Website →@digitalundergroundphiladelphiaDirections
Art & gifts3 places
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New Age bookshop, gifts, and metaphysical supplies. A South Street institution for crystals, incense, tarot, and spiritual books.
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Philadelphia's most famous novelty and adult gift shop, on South Street since the 1990s. Moved to a larger 1,600-sq-ft space featuring a castle motif with drawbridge, arched windows, and cobblestone flooring.
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Queer woman–owned handmade retail shop featuring over 180 Philly-area artists and makers. Opened November 2018 as a holiday pop-up and stayed by popular demand.
Food & drink2 places
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South Street institution since 1979 — the original chicken cheesesteak, made-to-order, plus Spanish fries and the signature 'Gremlin' half-lemonade/half-grape drink. Walk-up window location that started it all.
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Philadelphia's oldest deli, serving hand-sliced pastrami, corned beef, and fresh-baked rye since 1923. Michelin Bib Gourmand 2025 recognition; in Bella Vista/Queen Village just off South Street.
View restaurant page →Website →@famous4thstdelicatessenDirections
Gifts1 place
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Isaiah Zagar's city-block mosaic — part museum, part gift shop. The shop stocks Zagar prints, tiles, tiny mosaics, and Philly's best small-batch ceramics.
Entertainment1 place
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Independent comics shop since 1993 — new weekly pulls, graphic novels, back issues, and a section of locally-drawn zines. Owner knows every title in stock.
No shops in that category here yet.
Insider guide
Shopping South Street.
The story
South Street has been Philadelphia's countercultural heartbeat since the late 1960s, when artists, musicians, and activists turned this then-depressed corridor into a hub of alternative culture. The street was famously referenced in the 1963 song "South Street" by The Orlons, and it's retained its bohemian identity across six decades of cultural change.
The main shopping stretch runs from Front Street at the Delaware River waterfront end through 8th Street, with the highest concentration of independent shops between 3rd and 6th Streets. The neighborhood surrounding South Street — Queen Village and Bella Vista — is one of Philadelphia's most desirable residential areas, giving the street a neighborhood feel beneath its commercial surface.
What You'll Find
South Street is defined by its independent spirit. There are virtually no chain stores — the entire strip is made up of locally owned businesses, many of which have operated for decades. Vintage clothing shops, record stores, tattoo parlors, head shops, piercing studios, and art galleries sit alongside excellent restaurants, dive bars, and one-of-a-kind boutiques.
First Friday Connection
The first Friday of every month, South Street's galleries participate in the broader Philadelphia First Friday art walk. Galleries extend their hours, many offer free wine and refreshments, and the street is at its most vibrant. If you can time a visit to a First Friday, it's the definitive South Street experience.
This week
On South Street this week.
Typical hours
Most shops keep the hours below.
Hours vary by individual store. Always check with specific retailers.
Eat, drink, stay
Between shops, close by.
Top restaurants nearby
All of Eat →Top hotels nearby
All of Stay →- Michelin Key
Guild House Hotel
A National Historic Landmark 1855 rowhome in Midtown Village. Each of the 12 guest rooms is named for a woman from the house's proto-feminist New Century Guild legacy — one of Philadelphia's most distinctive small stays.
4.81307 Locust St · $$$ - Boutique
Kimpton Hotel Monaco Philadelphia
Stylish Kimpton inside the historic Lafayette Building across from Independence Mall. Rooftop bar Stratus has one of the best Liberty Bell views in town.
4.5433 Chestnut St · $$$ - Marriott Upscale
Renaissance Philadelphia Downtown
Modern Marriott inside a restored historic building steps from Independence Mall. Art-filled lobby and easy access to the entire Old City grid.
4.4401 Chestnut St · $$$ - Historic Boutique
Penn's View Hotel
Family-run historic boutique in a row of restored 19th-century riverside warehouses. Panorama wine bar and Ristorante Panorama downstairs.
4.414 N Front St · $$ - Full-Service
Wyndham Philadelphia Historic District
Full-service Wyndham one block from the Liberty Bell. Indoor pool, on-site parking, and a reliable option for families exploring the historic district.
4.2400 Arch St · $$
Ratings are the scores saved in our directory and are not live. Check the listing for the current score.
Getting here
Parking and transit.
- PHeadhouse Square Lot2nd & South St · Close to east end of strip · Metered~$2/hr street
- PBainbridge StreetSide streets off South · Free 2-hr metered on weekdaysFree/Metered
- SBus Route 40Runs along South St · Direct service · No parking needed$2.50 fare
- SBroad St LineEllsworth-Federal stop · 10 min walk east to South St$2.50 fare
South Street has no direct SEPTA rail stop. Take the Broad Street Line to Ellsworth-Federal and walk east, or take bus routes 40 or 57 directly along South Street. Street parking is metered and available on side streets.
Keep exploring
If you liked this block of the city, try these next.
Italian Market
America's oldest open-air market. Fresh produce, meats, cheese, specialty imports, and housewares on 9th Street since 1884.
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East Passyunk
One of Philly's hottest dining-and-shopping strips. Independent boutiques, BYOB restaurants, and South Philly charm.
This week
Antique Row
Pine Street between 9th and Broad. Dealers in furniture, fine art, jewelry, silver, and architectural salvage.
This week
Old City
Historic district packed with art galleries, boutiques, and design studios. First Friday events draw thousands monthly.
This week
Guides for South Street
All guides →Best Date Night Areas for Shopping + Dinner
A good date night in Philadelphia doesn't need a reservation at the hardest table in town.
Read guide →
Vintage & Secondhand in Philly
Thrift stores, consignment boutiques, and vintage markets across every Philly neighborhood.
Read guide →
Best Philly-Made Gifts Under $100
Hand-poured candles, artisan hot sauces, handmade jewelry — shop local and give something genuinely memorable.
Read guide →Stay in the loop
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