Photo courtesy of The Franklin Institute.

Compiled by Julia Hatmaker | jhatmaker@pennlive.com

Museums are fun -- but they’re more fun after dark.

Philadelphia’s museums offer a nerdier alternative to your traditional nightlife activity.

Here’s a look at what they have on tap for those looking for an evening museum experience.

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Photo courtesy of The Franklin Institute.

Franklin Institute

222 N. 20th St., Logan Square, Philadelphia. 215-448-1200; fi.edu

Science After Hours is a chance for adults 21 and older to enjoy all that the Franklin Institute has to offer. But it’s more than just a chance to look at the science museum’s exhibits, the evenings also include performances and demonstrations. Every Science After Hours event has its own theme too, ranging from Don’t Try This at Home (Aug. 28) to Wizard School (Oct. 23).

The next Science After Hours is “Prom” on April 3. Starting at 7 p.m., the evening’s festivities includes “The Snow Ball Dance Party” (full of 70s and 80s music at the Fels Planetarium), quizzo, a seminar on body talk and a chance to observe the night sky with the Franklin Institute’s 10” Zeiss refracting telescope.

Tickets for Science After Hours are $20 for non-members and $15 for members. You can buy tickets at fi.edu.

READ MORE: Play more than 100 video games at the new exhibit at The Franklin Institute

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Photo by Julia Hatmaker | jhatmaker@pennlive.com

Museum of the American Revolution

101 S. Third St., Old City, Philadelphia. 215-253-6731; amrevmuseum.org

The Museum of the American Revolution opens its doors late once a month for the History After Hours program. Running from 5 to 8 p.m., each History After Hours allows guests to explore the museum, enjoy food and drinks and play games -- all with a theme.

The next History After Hours is April 19 and is themed “Shot Heard Round the World,” which also celebrates the museum’s first year anniversary. Future themes include “Power of the Press” on May 15, “Trash Talk Archaeology” on July 17 and “Tricked Out” on Oct. 23.

Tickets for History After Hours are $10 and can be purchased at the door or online at amrevmuseum.org.

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Photo by Julia Hatmaker | jhatmaker@pennlive.com

Philadelphia Museum of Art

2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia. 215-763-8100; philamuseum.org

There are two ways to enjoy the Philadelphia Museum of Art in the evening. The first is on Wednesday nights, where the museum’s admission is pay-what-you-wish from 5 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. There’s a different activity every week, ranging from a game of Clue to yoga sessions.

The second way? Friday Nights, which include live music, cocktails and food. But if you can only make one Friday night at the museum, then catch a Final Friday one. It’s the last Friday of the month, as the name implies, and includes even more performances and activities. The next Final Friday is April 27, and runs from 5 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. It’s themed “Body Language.”

Admission to Friday nights is included with museum admission, which is $20 for adults, $18 for seniors, $14 for students and youths and free for children 12 and under.

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Photo by Julia Hatmaker | jhatmaker@pennlive.com

Academy of Natural Sciences

1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Logan Square, Philadelphia. 215-299-1000; ansp.org

“Curated for the curious” is the official description of Door 19, an adults-only evening event at the Academy of Natural Sciences. During these speakeasy-like affairs, visitors will get an exclusive look behind-the-scenes of the Academy and meet some of its neatest specimens.

The next Door 19 event is “Off the Hook” on April 19 starting at 6 p.m. Flying Fish Brewing Company and 12 St. Catering team up with the Academy of Natural Sciences for this soiree, which delves into aquatic ecology. Evening includes an open bar, behind-the- scenes tours of the academy’s collection and plenty of demonstrations about sharks and more.

Tickets for Door 19 are $95 for non-members and $50 for members. You can purchase them at ansp.org.

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Photo by Julia Hatmaker | jhatmaker@pennlive.com

The Barnes Foundation

2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia. 215-278-7000; barnesfoundation.org

On the first Friday of the month, the Barnes Foundation’s collection of impressionist paintings is alive with music. Each First Friday festivity has its own theme, with the next one being Crescent City Groove. So from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on April 6, visitors can hear the music of Arpeggio Jazz Ensemble.

Every now and then, there’ll be an extra special first Friday, such is the case on May 4, where the event doubles as a preview of the new exhibition “Renoir: Father and Son/Painting and Cinema.”

First Friday events are $28 for visitors, but only $10 for members.

First Fridays aren't the only nightlife activity going on at the Barnes Foundation. The art museum's Young Professionals group has special events several times a year. These soirees include drinks, snacks, music and after-hours access to the collection. The next one is themed "Sirens of the Screen" and will start at 7 p.m. on May 18. Tickets are $35 and $15 for members. You can purchase tickets at barnesfoundation.org.

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Photo by Julia Hatmaker | jhatmaker@pennlive.com

Penn Museum

3260 South St., University City, Philadelphia. 215-898-4000; penn.museum

Tour the Penn Museum’s collection of artifacts from ancient times after hours at the P.M. at Penn Museum events. Each event has a different theme, with the next one being “Strangest Things: A Night of Cryptozoology” from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on April 18. During this event guests will learn about mythical creatures, participate in a scavenger hunt, explore the museum galleries and enjoy cocktails from a cash bar.

Admission for P.M. at the Penn Museum is $20 and $15 for Penn Museum members. Tickets include one cocktail.

Future P.M. events include "Where in the Penn Museum is Carmen Sandiego" on May 16 and "Mummies and Martinis" on May 9. You can purchase tickets at penn.museum.

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The Rosenbach

Literature lovers won’t to miss Bibliococktails at the Rosenbach, a rare book museum. These monthly soirees include literary-themed cocktails, book discussions and readings and games. The cocktails are created by Quaker City Mercantile just for the event and change with every theme. Bibliococktails is roughly held on the second Friday of the month.

The next Bibliococktails event is “Shakespeare’s Sonnets” on April 13. The event starts at 6 p.m. and the cocktail dujour is “The Fair Youth,” made up of vodka, rose syrup, lemon juice, pomegranate juice, club soda, pomegranate arils and lemon wheel.

Tickets for Bibliococktails are $25 for non-members and $15 for members. You can buy tickets at rosenbach.org.

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Photo by Julia Hatmaker | jhatmaker@pennlive.com

National Museum of American Jewish History

101 S. Independence Mall East, Old City, Philadelphia. 215-923-3811; nmajh.org

Take time to leisurely explore this museum exploring American Jewish history during its Young Friends Curated Cocktails events. The next one is on April 12, and centers around the museum's newest exhibit: "Leonard Bernstein: The Power of Music." There'll also be snacks and beverages. The Young Friends Curated Cocktails events are free for young friends members of the museum and $12 for non-members. You can nab tickets at nmajh.org.

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Science on Tap

National Mechanics, 22 S. Third St., Old City, Philadelphia. 215-701-4883; nationalmechanics.com

Okay, we know that this isn't a museum. But we felt like a "nerdy nightlife" list wouldn't be complete without Science on Tap, which mixes science, open discussion and booze. The first Monday of the month at 7 p.m. at National Mechanics, a scientist will present on a different topic. After the presentation, open discussion will follow. The next Science on Tap is April 23, part of the Philadelphia Science Festival. During this event, themed "Schooled by Science" includes six speakers sharing stories of what they've learned from science. You can learn more at facebook.com/ScienceOnTap.

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