Fishtown is a neighborhood in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States.^[1] Located immediately northeast of Center City, its borders are somewhat disputed today due to many factors, but are roughly defined by the triangle created by the Delaware River, Frankford Avenue, and York Street. Newer residents of the area consider it to go all the way up to Lehigh Avenue, while some older residents maintain the upper border to be Norris Street. It is served by the Market–Frankford Line rapid transit subway/elevated of the SEPTA system.

The name "Fishtown" is derived from the area's former role as the center of the shad fishing industry on the Delaware River. The name comes from the fact that a number of 18th and early 19th century German & German-American families bought up the fishing rights on both sides of the Delaware River from Trenton Falls down to Cape May, New Jersey. Also, in the early 18th century, an English colonist was fabled to have caught the largest shad in the world in the Delaware River.

The apocryphal local legend traces the name of Fishtown to Charles Dickens who purportedly visited the neighborhood in March 1842, but records show this to be false, as it was named Fishtown prior to his visiting Brought to you by Wikipedia...

Also check out great neighborhood bar and restaurants...Johnny Brendas, Memphis Taproom.

Also wanted to include this article in Philadelphia weekly about the REAL Fishtown bars and neighborhood from my old time family friend and current past and present bar owner himself here is the article. From JR'S BAR..

 

During the late 1800s and early 1900s when immigration was at its peak in Philadelphia,  settled on farms in Port Richmond. Soon,  which produced rowhomes with their notable marble steps, and creation of Saint Adalbert Church, which was built in Polish Cathedral style.

Today, there are a number of restaurants and stores in the area of Richmond Street and Allegheny Avenue . Like,  The Krakus Market on Richmond Street offers a large selection of Polish and Eastern European foods, including a variety of kiebasy, Polish canned goods, Polish newspapers and various types of famous  such as Babka, Chrusciki and Paczki.

Philadelphia’s famous award-winning Polish American String Band which marches in the famous Mummers Parade down Broad Street on New Year’s Day, sometimes marches and struts through the neighborhood, as on Port Richmond’s Memorial Day celebration.

A half-dozen blocks west on Allegheny from Richmond Street, there is an ancient park, Campbell's Square, where neighborhood children play and where special community events are sometimes held.

Also known for there famous bars and restaurants like Byrnes Tavern...Bonks Bar...and Taconelli's Pizza, Mercer Cafe, The Hinge Cafe just to name a few...Aramingo Diner for late night..They are open 24 hrs. Applebees on Castor Ave also known for there great friendly atmosphere also has Quizzo on Tuesday nights.