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Sips and Eats: Sour Fest returns, Happy Hour picks, and Stratus Rooftop Lounge opens

The Bourse Food Hall Presents: Bootcamp at The Bourse

(Bootcamp at The Bourse)

Finish the summer out strong with Bootcamp at The Bourse, a seven week-long socially distant workout series on the 5th St. patio every Saturday at 9-10 a.m. from August 15 to September 26.

The Bourse Food Hall is teaming up with local fitness instructor, Jackie of JaxFitness, for a fun outdoor pop-up fitness series boasting workout classes for all levels, including yoga, Zumba, HIIT, Pilates and more. Tickets are $10 and include the 60-minute class along with a Bloody Mary or mimosa from Grubhouse. The classes are from 9-10 a.m. every Saturday for the remainder of the summer outside on The Bourse’s patio overlooking Independence Mall.

“Although gyms have recently opened, I know most people are still wary about indoor workouts,” said Victoria Greer, The Bourse Food Hall General Manager. “That’s where Bootcamp at The Bourse comes in – a stress-free outdoor workout perfect for those who still aren’t ready to go back to the gym, or are just sick of being stuck inside. Whether you’re looking for your inner zen or a fun dance-centric Zumba class, Jackie’s created a schedule with a workout for everyone!”

Class Schedule:

  • August 15 – Booty, Core, and More! – Low impact exercises that target your best assets
  • August 22 – Zumba – Set yourself free as you move to the music in this upbeat class
  • August 29 – Yoga – Strike your best warrior pose to relieve stress and find balance within
  •  September 5 – HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training) Moderate-High Impact with timed intervals to push you to your full potential HIIT
  • September 12 – Yoga – Whether you are a beginner or yogi master, you’ll find your chi in this Vinyasa Flow Class
  • September 19 – Strength and Burn – Moderate-High Impact to tone the legs, butt, arms, and core
  • September 26 – Pilates – Low Impact class to length and tone the full body

Tickets for all seven classes are available now at the link here. Bootcamp at The Bourse is BYOM (bring your own mat).

Fun Happy Hours in Philly 

(Courtesy Walnut Street Cafe)

• a.kitchen+bar: Every Wednesday through Friday from 4 to 6 p.m., a.kitchen will be hosting a happy hour in their beautiful streetery overlooking Rittenhouse Square. The open-air happy hour boasts discounted beer and specialty cocktails from the talented a.bar staff including a $9 Old Bay Punch and rotating boozy popsicle flavors. Next door, a.bar will be offering discounted drinks to go from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday through Friday.

• Fork: Dubbed “Oysters and Aperitifs,” Fork’s happy hour also will be an open-air streetery experience. Organic, canned RAMONA wine spritzers, discounted cocktails, boozy ice cream sandwiches (think: vanilla bourbon ice cream sandwiched between two spelt chocolate chip cookies that are homemade from High Street on Market) plus oysters starting at $2, $5 softshell crab sandwiches and $5 blistered shishitos are just a few of the menu items. Available Tuesdays through Fridays from 4 to 6 p.m.

(pink RAMONA // photo of Fork)

• Sunset Social: Walnut Street Cafe’s sister restaurant Sunset Social will also be hosting a “Golden Hour” on Friday’s from 5 to 7 p.m. Enjoy half-off draft beer and frozen drinks including Strawberry Daiquiris and Blood Orange Margaritas on the socially distanced CIRA green overlooking stunning views of the Schuylkill.

• Walnut Street Cafe: “Golden Hour” at  Walnut Street Cafe boasts frozen drinks and large format cocktails served in a funky pineapple vessel (think: Tiki Punch, Hibiscus Lemonade Smash and White Sangria) alongside great $5 bites including watermelon salad, micro charcuterie, fried chicken sandwich skewers (!), and more.

Also, happy hour aside, Walnut Street Cafe has reinstated their ultra-popular weekend Jazz Brunch on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The soundtrack is provided by a local jazz group. The menu is made up of brunch favorites including a Dutch baby, shakshuka, and steak and eggs, in addition to WSC’s full menu.

Of course, all of the restaurants are strictly adhering to social distancing and CDC/local guidelines to ensure a safe and happy experience for all!

Sour Fest Returns to Devil’s Den

(Devil’s Den)

Devil’s Denone of the city’s best craft beer bars, along with owner and beer maven Erin Wallace, has announced the return of Pucker Up! Sour Fest, with a fun, interactive, and COVID-friendly tasting class held via Zoom, on  Friday, August 21 at 7 p.m.

The virtual guided tasting class will be led by Meredith Rebar, a beer expert with Home Brewed Events, as she explains some of the sourest, funky, and wild beers on the market!

Attendees can pick up Special Sour Beer Kit curbside at Devil’s Den in South Philadelphia, before the virtual tasting on Friday night. The Sour Beer Kit has everything imbibers need, including the beersglassware from Ommegang, and a bottle opener.

See below for the six show-stopping sours included in the kit.

To top it all off, Devil’s Den is including a coupon for 10% off any order of food from their tempting menu; available for use at the bar’s socially-distanced patio seating area, or for pickup orders! Not valid for delivery orders.

To participate in the virtual sour-tasting class, guests are instructed to purchase tickets online.

Additionally, for those sour-fanatics, Devil’s Den will extend the fun of Sour Fest with 20% off the entire sour beer collection for outdoor dining and takeout from Saturday, August 15 to Sunday, August 23.

Square 1682 Re-Vamps Surf N’ Turf Special

(Square 1682)

Square 1682the modern American kitchen located near Rittenhouse Square, is announcing a revamped version of its classic Surf N’ Turf Special, available every Monday and Tuesday night from 4 pm – 8 pm for takeout or on the sunny, socially-distanced patio.

The Surf N’ Turf Special, priced at a jaw-dropping $25, comes complete with a filet mignon, ½ pound of fresh Maine lobster, crab fries, accompanied by drawn butter and rosemary jus. For an additional $3, guests can select upgrades to this sumptuous dish, including black truffle butter, bone marrow demi, horseradish cream, or two large shrimp in a scampi sauce. Select accouterments are also available for an additional $7, including sesame broccoli, marsala mushrooms, whipped potatoes, and fingerlings au gratin.

The Surf N’ Turf is available during dinner service at Square 1682, every day from 4 – 8 p.m. on the chic al fresco dining area on Sansom Street, as well as for takeout.

To place a takeout order, go online or call the restaurant at 215-563-5008.

To view the full menu at Square 1682, see their website. Guests are encouraged to make a reservation online or call the restaurant. All sanitary and social distancing procedures are available to view here.

Stratus Rooftop Lounge Reopening for Late Night Dining

(Stratus Rooftop Lounge)

Stratus Rooftop Lounge, located atop the Kimpton Hotel Monaco Philadelphia, reopens on Friday, August 14, amid a bevy of health and safety precautions, including strictly limited capacity and social-distanced tables. Newly renovated in January, the elegant lounge-style locale will be open on Fridays and Saturdays from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. for outdoor dinner service only.

Guests are invited to the 11th floor of the Hotel Monaco to indulge in all-new dinner and beverage menus, including an array of summer-inspired dishes, cocktails, wines and craft beer perfect for late-night dining.

Dishes include Tuna Tartare with Lettuce Wraps, Skillet Roasted Brie served with bûcheron, pecans, warm honey, baguette, as well as larger dishes such as Dry-aged New Strip Steak with garlic butter, natural jus, and Crispy Ahi Tuna, with sesame broccoli, ginger aioli. An all-new beverage menu includes an array of summer cocktails, wines, craft beer, and spirits.

(Stratus Rooftop Lounge)

COVID-19 precautions are extensive: some of those steps include one party per elevator, hand sanitizer inside and outside the elevators, timed reservations, strict mask policy for staff and guests which must be worn entering, leaving and anytime not sat at a designated table, frequently cleaned surfaces, hand sanitizer on all tables, and more.

“We’re super excited to give Philadelphians a sneak peek at our new version of Stratus and offer a late option for safely dining outdoors at this challenging time,” says Erik Travers, Director of Operations, Kimpton Restaurants. “Our capacity is greatly reduced to just a few tables on the roof — and our focus, for this time, has shifted from nightlife to offer more of a dining experience, albeit in a lounge setting.”

Since 2012, Stratus Lounge has been known as the place in Old City for great music, events, and cocktails. Following the renovation, led by Philadelphia hospitality firm Rohe Creative, guests can expect the same level of thoughtful service and creative menus, but in an updated space.


You can follow Candis McLean on Twitter (@CandisRMcLean) and e-mail her at [email protected].

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