Menu Close

Sips and Eats: Philly’s best food and drink picks for March 7-11

Featured Bars and Lounges

This Week in Cocktails: St. Patrick’s and March Madness Primer

City Tap House University City

March Madness and Saint Patrick’s Day are looming on the calendar. Here’s a sneak peek at some of the larger and ticketed events in the city. Next week, there will be a full rundown of all the action. 

JJ Bootleggers Watch Parties: JJ Bootleggers will be having March Madness watch parties next week. The ticketed events include a four-hour premium tailgate buffet and drink specials all day. Tickets range from $20-$40 depending on VIP and general admission preference.

City Tap House March Madness: City Tap House University City will be turning all their screens to the March Madness action next week. Starting Wednesday, March 14th they will be hosting a “Kick The Keg Challenge”. There will also be $5 specialty pints all night. If you show up watch each day through the Championship game, you’ll have a chance to win tickets to the Phillies Home Opener.

Erin Express Bar Olympics: The Erin Express bus will be hurling through the streets of Northern Liberties to do some damage this and next Saturday. From 10AM-7PM you’ll get entry into 10 locations. Crawlers will get a free t-shirt, earn points at each stop, experience live music at each stop, and more. Come out for the drink specials and you’re chance to be crowned the ultimate crawler.

Shamrock Crawl: On next Saturday, the 2018 Shamrock Crawl will be in full effect. There will be no cover at over 50 locations in the city. Attendees will get drink specials, party beads, complimentary bar snacks, a map, and access to photography.

St. Paddy’s Day at XFINITY: XFINITY Live! is known for throwing amazing parties and celebrations. Be sure to stop by the entertainment hub next week for a blowout St. Paddy’s Day celebration. There will be drink specials, live music, green beer, beads, and free parking after 8:30PM.

Featured Restaurants and Bars

Dutch Eating Place. Photo courtesy of Reading Terminal Market

Philadelphia is a major spanning city. It’s always brimming with exciting new activities and things to do each week. Sometimes answering the simple question of where to eat or get a quick drink can be overwhelming. Each week Philly Influencer will highlight some new places and local favorites to add to your list.

Banana Leaf: This Arch street eatery serves up some of the best Malaysian food in the city. Banana Leaf offers several flavors in each dish, has a no-frills mystique in its decor, and best of all its a BYOB heaven. The menu is extremely comprehensive and there’s something for any dietary needs. From Malaysian spare ribs to vegetable curry pots, this place has you covered.

Dutch Eating Place: For the first time on this list, we’re going into Reading Terminal Market. The worst-kept secret in town is the Dutch Eating Place. Offering the best in Pennsylvania Dutch fare, the countertop wonder serves exquisite breakfast and lunch. Try their addicting kaiser roll breakfast sandwiches, pancakes, hot apple dumplings, or any of their fresh squeezed juices. A stop here will never leave you disappointed.

Pearl’s Oyster Bar: let’s stay in the world-renowned market at visit Pearl’s Oyster Bar next. From crab cakes benedict to cheesy grits, cherrystone clams, this elbow-to-counter spot has a lot of delicious options. Droves come in masses to stop by for their fix on seafood, soups, salads, and tasty burgers.

Ristorante Pesto: Award-winning gem Ristorante Pesto serves up the best in southern Italian cuisine daily. The Broad Street BYOB has a sizeable menu that always delivers. Whether you try their gnocchi with rose sauce, stellar eggplant appetizer,  signature dishes, or desserts, you can’t go wrong.

Weekly Events

So Far Gone – Drake Night at the Foundry. The Fillmore Photo courtesy The Fillmore Philadelphia

Each week, Philly Influencer picks the best parties, events, and social gatherings the area has to offer.

East Passyunk Ave Restaurant Week: East Passyunk Avenue Restaurant Week will continue through this Friday, March 9th. Over 26 restaurants have been featuring three-course prix fixe lunch and/or dinner for $15, $25 or $35.

King of Prussia Restaurant Week: A new restaurant week popping up on the radar is in King of Prussia. The thriving business and shopping area is brimming with several great restaurants. Each participating location will have the options of $10, $15 or $20 lunch specials and $20, $30 or $40 dinner bargains.

Voyeur Party for the Park: This Thursday night Voyeur will have you dancing the night away for a good cause. Party for the Park will have a VIP cocktail reception, food crafted by 13th Street Kitchen and Di Bruno Bros, and live music Xavier Omär, Bosco, and Philly’s own DJs Sylo, Lean Wit It and Hvnlee.

Lock and Key Singles Event: This Lock and Key Singles Party will be taking over Paddy Whacks Irish pub this Friday night. Starting at 8PM, there will be free light appetizers, drink specials, and more at this dating networking event.

Drake Night at The Fillmore: Friday is So Far Gone-Drake Night at The Fillmore. Resident DJs Dirty South Joe and Magglezzz will be spinning the newest cuts in music from 9PM-12AM. From 12AM-2AM the entertainment venue will only be filled with music from the Toronto act.

21st Annual Fur Ball: This Saturday, March 10th, the Morris Animal Refuge will be hosting their 21st Annual Fur Ball. The theme for this lavish event will be Havana Nights. Come to the Simone Foundation Auto Museum for access to a mojito bar, a view of 50 cars, live music, dancing, and Cuban eats catered by 12th Street Catering. Former Governor Ed Rendell and Animal Planet will be awarded.


You can follow Candis McLean on Twitter (@CandisRMcLean) and e-mail her at [email protected]. Follow Philly Influencer on Twitter (@PHL_Influencer), Facebook and Instagram.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.