NEWSLETTER SIGNUP

Beer Gardens

Where to drink al fresco in Philly

It’s beer garden season in Philadelphia—now through mid- to late-fall. Here’s where to find some of our faves:

THE GARDEN AT CHERRY STREET PIER

You’d be hard pressed to find a restaurant with more stunning views than The Garden at Cherry Street Pier, which sits in the shadow of the hulking Benjamin Franklin Bridge and along the Delaware River. More than 200 people can comfortably fit in the open-air, industrial venue, which is outfitted with quaint sidewalk café-style seating, with towering trees and overflowing planters separating each table. The menu boasts summer-picnic fare (think pulled-pork sandwiches, salads and sides) local ales, wine and craft cocktails. For now, The Garden is open on Saturdays and Sundays, weather permitting, from noon to 10pm. Hours will be extended throughout the week once the weather warms up.

INDEPENDENCE BEER GARDEN

The bustling beer garden just steps from Independence Hall is back open in 2022 with 20,000-square-feet of open-air space that packs in multiple bars, drinking games like corn hole and Jenga, and a bunch of picnic tables so you can spread out to enjoy your barbecue-style grub and beer, beer, beer.

MORGAN’S PIER

This vibrant beer and cocktail garden brings live DJs, comfort food and all kinds of refreshing adult beverages to the Delaware River waterfront through fall. Grub options include a variety of snacks, flatbreads, sandwiches and seafood, while drinks range from frothy draft beers to a colorful selection of speciality and frozen cocktails and wine.

PHS POP-UP BEER GARDENS

The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s popular pop-up beer gardens—on South Street and in Manayunk—are gorgeous urban garden oases with stunning plant and garden decorations, bars full of food and drink and, new this year at Manayunk, a new game room with foosball, Skee-Ball, pop-a-shot and more. Plan a night there around some of the events taking place throughout the season—from plant swaps, brewery pop-ups, craft nights and more.

Eat and Drink

Great Philly restaurants and bars to check out right now

If you’re looking for great places to eat and drink locally, we have you covered. Check the links below for ideas about where to eat outdoors and get takeout, and what breweries and distilleries to visit when you’re hankering for an adult bev.

Guides to dining out (or eating in)

Outdoor Dining in Philadelphia
Follow our guide to outdoor dining in Philly this spring to discover spots around town for delicious food and drink in gardens, on tucked-away patios and other Insta-worthy surrounds
  • This photo of Kalaya owner Chutatip 'Nok' Suntaranon accompanies an article about the best women-owned restaurants in Philadelphia
Great Women-Owned Restaurants in Philly
Philly’s women-run restaurants are helping us all survive the pandemic. Here, some of our favorites to try right now.
  • Order cheesy pupusas from El Merkury for takeout
Philadelphia Takeout for Good
It’s no surprise that local restaurants have spent the Covid-19 crisis finding ways to give to their community. Here, 11 generous local spots you can support with your takeout order

Guides on where to drink

  • This photo accompanies a guide to the best Philadelphia breweries that have delicious beer and also give back to the community
Philadelphia Breweries Where Giving Back Is On Tap
A guide to breweries in Philadelphia that are raising funds for locals (and more) in need. Cheers!
  • This photo accompanies
Philadelphia Distilleries Doing Good
Want to get a drink that you can feel good about? Check out these awesome distilleries in Philadelphia serving up good spirits—from vodka to bourbon to inventively flavored bitters—and good causes for the community

Philly restaurants and bars doing good

  • A plate of pierogis at Mom-Mom's Kitchen in Philadelphia
Foodizen: Why Is Ravioli Worth More Than Pierogi?
How Mom-Mom’s Kitchen is working to spread the good word on Polish food in Philadelphia. Their latest venture on South Street is set to open this winter.
  • A spread of takeout food from Jezabel's Argentine Bakery in Philadelphia
Foodizen: Forget Back to “Normal"
Jezabel’s Argentine Bakery & BYO is doing better than ever in its 10-year history by pivoting to not just survive, but thrive during the pandemic—a start to rethinking the restaurant industry as we have known it
  • Chris Cho, chef at Center City Korean restaurant Seorabol
Foodizen: Beyond BBQ
Is Chris Cho’s Center City Seorabol the start of a Korean food empire?
  • A New York strip steak with roasted garlic on top at Alpen Rose steakhouse in Philadelphia
Foodizen: Meditations on Meat
Michael Schulson’s fabulous new Alpen Rose puts steak back on the menu. Can we find a way to make peace with meat?
  • wine samples and cheese board in front of computer for Tria's virtual wine classes
A Brand, Not Just a Restaurant
Center City’s Tria Cafe brought back its beloved Fermentation School (virtually) to help it survive the pandemic. Who needs tables anyway?
Foodizen: Breaking Bread
The next in a series on the nexus of food and culture explores Philly’s new wave of sustainable, socially-conscious bakeries at the forefront of change
This is your grandma’s coffee shop
Old City’s Frieda Cafe offers the opposite of working remotely: Human interaction across the ages
  • Saxbys owner and founder Nick Bayer holds a card showing his company's B Corp status
Business for Good: Coffee With a (Updated) Mission
Saxbys has been training young, socially-conscious entrepreneurs and uplifting local communities for years. Now, it’s “walking the talk” with its new B Corp status

Current trends on the local food and drink scene

Foodizen: What's in Your Glass?
Our series on the nexus of food and culture explores the natural wine trend that has finally caught on in Philly. Will drinking it make you a better person?
Foodizen: When celery was the avocado toast of its day
A Fishtown restaurant takes us on a culinary journey into Pennsylvania’s past. Waffles and catfish, anyone?
Foodizen: "What are you?”
Filipino food has lately been at the center of Twitter outrage. Our series on the nexus of food and society finds Philly’s newest cuisine can’t be unlinked from its history and culture
Foodizen: Not Cambodia Town
Our series on the nexus of food and culture explores the flavors of the South Philly area around Mifflin Square Park, one of the most diverse neighborhoods in the city
Foodizen: Georgian On My Mind
The next in a series on the nexus of food and urban culture takes us on a journey—to the heart of Eurasia's Georgian cuisine in the far Northeast
Foodizen: Satay in the City
The series on the nexus of food and culture looks at satay, a window into Philly’s substantial Indonesian community

Fun Philly food history

  • A black couple hold ice creams toward the camera, smiling
Foodizen Podcast: How Philly Invented Ice Cream (As We Know It)
It was African American chefs who created the summertime treat we consume by the gallons. The first episode of a new podcast describes how we did it right here where America was born
  • Pepper Pot Soup painting
Foodizen Podcast: The Most Famous Soup You’ve Never Heard Of
The latest episode of the food history podcast examines the roots of pepper pot soup, sold by Campbell’s for 110 years. No, it was not invented in Camden

Fun Things to Do in Philly This Weekend

The South 9th Street Italian Market Festival, the Rittenhouse Spring Stroll, a cocktail party at Smith Memorial Playground and more fun things to do in Philly this weekend

Fun Things to Do in Philly This Weekend

The South 9th Street Italian Market Festival, the Rittenhouse Spring Stroll, a cocktail party at Smith Memorial Playground and more fun things to do in Philly this weekend

BY Josh Middleton

May. 16, 2022

Print

Street festivals are back, and, while they’re not uniformly or intentionally bigger than ever, they sure feel better, just because they’re there. Crowd cravers can head to the South 9th Street Italian Market this weekend. There’s a cocktail party fundraiser at Smith Memorial, a party for toddlers at the Barnes Foundation, and a scaled-down version of Rittenhouse’s spring fest.

Outside of these events, you could also spend some time at one of these awesome Philadelphia breweries and / or distilleries. Find somewhere cool to eat outdoors, or kick back at home with some of what we think is the best takeout in Philly.

Find details on these things and more below. This list gets updated regularly — especially during the beginning of the week — so be sure to check back often for more ideas about fun things to do in Philly this weekend.

THINGS TO DO IN PHILLY THIS WEEKEND

Hairspray at the Miller Theatre

HAIRSPRAY @ MILLER THEATER: The Tony Award-winning Broadway musical comedy comes to the Miller Theater Tuesday, May 17 through Sunday, May 22. The kitschy tale of teen dreamer and race relations in 1960s Baltimore was adapted from John Waters’ 1988 cult classic film, and went on to inspire a 2007 movie and a 2016 live TV event. American Sign Language (ASL) and Audio Description (AD) Performance takes place Friday May 20, 8pm. Recommended for audiences 10 years and older. Buy tickets here.

Toddlerpalooza at the Barnes Foundation

TODDLERPALOOZA @ THE BARNES FOUNDATION: Reservations are required. Manners: not so much, on Saturday, May 21, 9:30am to noon, when the esteemed Barnes welcomes the under-age-five set (with free reservations and adult chaperones) for a morning of art-making, science observing, live music, and, if those chaperones are reasonably confident in their children’s impulse control, a stroll through the gallery. 2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway

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RITTENHOUSE SPRING STROLL: Note the name change. This slightly fancy block party is not intended to be the come-one, come-all festival that happened pre-Covid. Instead, Rittenhouse’s annual fair is purposefully pared down (also not listed on the organization’s website), to reduce potential viral spread, and, perhaps, in the bargain, the lines for food and drink. It takes place Saturday, May 21, 11am to 5pm, in the general vicinity of 18th and Walnut streets.

Procession of Saints at the South 9th Street Italian Market Festival

SOUTH 9TH STREET ITALIAN MARKET FESTIVAL: For the first time in its history, this annual South Philly festival will not be presided over by a giant mural of former Mayor Frank Rizzo. Staying this year, however, from May 21 to 22 (11am to 6pm), are greased pole climbing, Sunday morning’s Procession of Saints from Saint Mary Magdalen de’Pazzi (712 Montrose Street) to St. Paul (808 S. Hutchinson Street), stick ball, and so … much … cannoli, cheese, sausage, pineapple drinks … S. 9th Street between Christian and Wharton streets

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PARTY IN THE PLAYGROUND @ SMITH MEMORIAL PLAYGROUND: On Saturday, May 21, Smith Memorial’s family-friendly fundraising soiree returns after a two-year Covid hiatus. Festivities begin at 5:30pm, with cocktails and will include games, music, dancing, food and prizes. You can purchase tickets ($75 per person) for the event, sign up as a sponsor, or if you cannot attend, simply donate here. 3500 Reservoir Drive

Behind the Stage Door at Cherry Street Pier. | Photo by Arian Molina Soca

BEHIND THE STAGE DOOR: Running now through May 24, experience Behind the Stage Door, an interactive multimedia collaboration from The Philadelphia Ballet and Mural Arts Philadelphia. Soundscapes, original music, dance, film, sculpture, and an “interactive multimedia stage design” explore the transcendent art of ballet. See the installation and exhibition at Cherry Street Pier, and attend pop-up live performances by Philadelphia Ballet II at Teatro Esperanza, FDR Park, Bartram’s Gardens, and Dilworth Plaza. Performances are free and open to the public. Visit the website for the dates and times.

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Garden Days on East Passyunk Avenue| Photo by Michael Saks

GARDEN DAYS IN SOUTH PHILLY: This vibrant Philadelphia Flower Show run-up, themed “In Full Bloom,” brings floral installations and bloom-centric to-dos to East Passyunk Avenue from May 7 to 30. The lineup of activities includes scavenger hunts, story hours around the Singing Fountain, garden tours, live music and more. Go here for the full lineup, and take note of events that require preregistration. East Passyunk Avenue

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Cheyenne Parks and Morgan Charece Hall “School Girls; or the African Mean Girls Play” at the Arden Theatre | Photo by Wide Eyed Studios

SCHOOL GIRLS; OR THE AFRICAN MEAN GIRLS PLAY @ the ARDEN THEATRE: Now through June 12, the Arden mounts Jocelyn Bioh’s one-room, circa-1980s play about teenage girls in Ghana who are — and can seem — miles away from Tina Fey’s Regina George et al in the Chicago burbs. Still, the themes of beauty, bullying and belonging have universal resonance. Lesson: Being extra is not at all exclusive to American teens. Ages 12 and up. $18-$53. 40 N. 2nd Street

Ongoing Philly attractions to visit this spring

Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest on the Delaware River| Photo by Maria Young

DELAWARE WATERFRONT ATTRACTIONS: Spruce Street Harbor Park and its neighboring Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest are open for the season with ferris wheels, floating beer barges, carnival games, roller skating, hammocks in neon-lit trees, cute little lodges you can rent with friends. It’s just too much excitement for one person to handle. Good thing it’ll be around for our enjoyment all summer long. S. Columbus Boulevard

Morgan’s Pier on North Columbus Boulevard | Photo by Alistair McDonald

MORGAN’S PIER: The vibrant beer and cocktail garden on the Delaware River is newly open for the season with a lineup of live music on weekends and select weeknights, and a food menu that includes a variety of snacks, flatbreads, sandwiches and seafood. Drinking options are just as plentiful — ranging from frothy draft beers to a colorful selection of refreshing speciality and frozen cocktails and wine. 221 N. Columbus Boulevard

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Locals skate at the outdoor roller rink at Philadelphia City Hall
The Rothman Orthopaedics Roller Rink at Dilworth Park | Photo by BeauMonde Originals

CITY HALL ROLLER RINK : The neon-hued outdoor Rothman Orthopaedics Roller Rink at Dilworth Park is now open through July 17. The rink is retro-inspired, with a checkerboard floor and colorful beach balls floating overhead. Guests are welcome to visit for hour time slots. Admission is $8 for children 10 and younger, and $10 for adults. Skate rental is $5. 1 S. 15th Street

Shoppers browse goods at a vendors market at Dilworth Park in Center City, Philadelphia
Philadelphia Marketplace at Dilworth Park| Photo by Matt Stanley

PHILADELPHIA MARKETPLACE: Happening every Friday and Saturday through October 1, this hyperlocal bazaar gives you the chance to browse and shop a rotating variety of goods from local artists, crafters and retailers in the shadow of City Hall. 1 S. 15th Street

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MORE IN THINGS TO DO IN PHILLY

Great Women-Owned Restaurants in Philly

Philadelphia Takeout for Good

21 Black-Owned Businesses That Do Good

Vet-Owned Businesses in Philly

The Rookie’s Guide to Biking in Philly

How to Start a Garden in the City

 

South 9th Street Italian Market Festival, courtesy of Visit Philadelphia

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