Candis R. McLean
Featured Bars and Restaurants
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This Week in Cocktails: Game of Thrones and Drinks
Jet Wine Bar: Jet Wine Bar is bringing Westeros to Philadelphia during their Game of Thrones Wine Tasting (minus the White Walkers), complete with bottles sourced from the real-world locations of Westeros and Essos, on Monday, April 15th and Tuesday, April 16 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. This installment of Jet Wine Bar’s Time Traveler Tasting series will take imbibers to different kingdoms and continents across the Narrow Sea, while digging deeper into the real-world history of the wines. Taking root in the stories of Westeros and Essos, guests will be transported from the sea cliffs of Dragonstone, to the pits of Astapor, and all the way back to the halls of King’s Landing.
Philadelphia Brewing Company: Philadelphia Brewing Company, the oldest and largest brewing facility in Philadelphia, is inviting fans to test their Game of Thrones knowledge at Game of Thrones: A Quizzio of Ice and Fire this Thursday, April 11th, from 7:30 to 9:30 pm in their Peacock Room. Entry is free with no team limits and trivia is based on both the TV series and the book series. The winning team will receive a $30 gift card with select prizes for second and third place and random giveaway throughout the night. Remember, “when you play the game of thrones, you win or you die.”
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The Pop-Up of the Week: Bluecoat Gin’s The Betsy
Philadelphia Distilling, makers of the award-winning Bluecoat American Dry Gin, bring pop-up The Betsy to the city over the next few days. From Thursday, April 11th-Sunday, April 14th come to Philadelphia Distilling and sip on these cocktails that beautifully blends Bluecoat Elderflower Gin with floral garnish. Try the Betsy Ross (Bluecoat Elderflower Gin, simple syrup, lemon juice, and muddled strawberries) or the Elderflower Spritz (Bluecoat Elderflower Gin, clementine aperitif, blanc vermouth, sparkling cider, edible rose garnish). The pop-up will also feature the Pennsylvania Elderflower Punch and more. This will be a glorious setting brimming with flowers from the lush garden, a meadow wall, and vined with elderflower inspiration.
Bluecoat Elderflower Gin ($35) is available for purchase at the distillery retail shop and select markets nationally.
The hours are as follows:
Thursday & Friday: 4pm – 11pm
Saturday & Sunday: 1pm – 11pm
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The Spotlight of the Week: National Grilled Cheese Day
National Grilled Cheese Day is this Friday, April 12th. Here are a few great options to celebrate the day around the city.
Baker Street Bread Company: The Baker Street Bread Company, the award-winning bakery and café serving up fresh breads, breakfasts, and lunches, has created the Ultimate Grilled Cheese ($8.75) with Fontina, tomato, house-made sourdough bread, and either pesto or Dijon with additions of avocado, bacon or ham for $2 more. This melted amazingness is available at their Bakery Café in Chestnut Hill for lunch every day of the week.
The Bourse: Mighty Melt at The Bourse, the inventive grilled cheese sandwich shop located in Old City’s Historic Food Hall, is arguably the best spot to celebrate National Grilled Cheese Day for obvious reasons. Also every Monday, guests can enjoy any delectable grilled cheese with a Quaker City Shrub for just $12. This deal launches Monday, April 15th. Fusing artisan breads from Mighty Bread Co. and fresh cheese, sandwich options include Happy Together with Amish cheddar, hot honey, and sourdough ($7); the Sure Shot with brie, prosciutto, marmalade, arugula, and toasted sesame sourdough ($11); and the over the top Brick House with Taleggio, braised beef, roasted mushrooms, onion jam, and rosemary peppercorn sourdough ($11). This smorgasbord of cheesy goodness is the perfect one-stop shop for all things grilled cheese.
CO-OP: CO-OP Restaurant and Lounge, the lively corner restaurant and bar in University City, has outdone themselves with an Over the Top Grilled Cheese, boasting a parmesan crusted brioche, summer truffle, Gruyere, and Fontina with Truffled-Parmesan Fries on the side. For $20, cheese addicts can dig into this truffle-filled, melty goodness for lunch on National Grilled Cheese Day.
Joe’s Steaks + Soda Shop: Joe’s Steaks + Soda Shop, the cheesesteak favorite and recent viral sensation in Fishtown and Torresdale, also grills up a mean Cheese Fry Grilled Cheese ($6). The perfect combo for French fry and cheese lovers, this fry-stuffed, loaded up sandwich is made with two thick slices of buttered and browned Texas toast, and filled with French fries, melted American cheese, and cheese whiz.
MilkBoy Philly: MilkBoy Philly, located on the corner of Chestnut St. and 11th, has gone for a classic approach with a bacon twist, offering their Grilled Cheese and Cup O’ Soup, made with bacon jam, sourdough bread, and, of course, tomato soup on the side. This classic pair is available for $10 all day, every day for grilled cheese lovers.
MilkBoy South Street: Milk boy South Street, located on the bustling intersection of South St. and 4th, has melted together cheesy favorites in their Grilled Cheese and Soup combo, with slices of jack, cheddar, and American cheese and bacon jam between sourdough bread, all paired with a bowl of tasty tomato soup. This delicious combo is available for $10 for hungry South Street visitors.
Royal Boucherie: Royal Boucherie, Old City’s American brasserie from award-winning Executive Chef Nicholas Elmi, is bringing their Mortadella Grilled Cheese ($15) with Calabrian aioli, Raclette, and sourdough bread and a side of French fries to the table for lunch. Hungry imbibers can pair their grilled cheese with a $2 martini or cocktail as part of the Martini Lunch Special, a weekday deal where guests can enjoy a $2 martini or cocktail with the purchase of an entrée.
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Weekly Events
Each week, Philly Influencer picks the best parties, events, and social gatherings the area has to offer.
Ultimate Game Night: This Thursday, April 11th, come out to Wooder Ice’s Ultimate Game Night. Tabbed as “Philly’s biggest game night of the year”, this party offers a live game show experience. Everyone’s a contestant at this blowout party that includes classic retro board games, a VR station, giveaways, and more. There will be pay-as-you-go food and drink vendors. Check out the savory and sizzling dishes being provided by Brillant Food & Beverages.
Door 19: The Academy of Natural Sciences will be hosting on their Door 19 event Thursday from 6 pm- 9:30 pm. This event is James Bond themed. There will be an extensive open bar, delicious food to sample, animals, spy movie trivia, and mopre. This 21+ event will include several hands-on and engaging activities and a stellar night of food and drinks.
Philly Showcase of Wine, Cheese & Beer: Come to the Pennsylvania Convention Center this Friday for the 2019 Philly Showcase of Wine, Cheese & Beer. There will be countless samples of libations, wines, and cheese to go around at this soiree for a good cause.
80’s themed Karaoke Night: The Bourse Food Hall is stoked to announce its 80’s themed Karaoke Night presented by the Escape the 80s on Friday, April 12th from 6 – 8 pm. There will be drink specials, 80’s themed cutouts to enhance your performances, prizes and giveaways, music, and much more.
Dance Yourself Clean: Underground Arts will be hosting a Dance Yourself Clean Party this Friday night. CHVRCHES, Empire Of The Sun, Purity Ring, Twin Shadow, The 1975, and more will be blasting through the speakers at this EDM and electro-pop blowout.
The Great Onesi Bar Crawl: The Great Onesie Crawl is this Saturday in Old City. Break out your favorite plush PJs fro a crawl full of drink specials, contests, prizes, bar food, and more through one of Philadelphia’s treasured historic areas.
Metal and Beer Festival: The Fillmore Philadelphia will be hosting the Decibel Magazine Metal & Beer Festival this Saturday and Sunday. Hardcore metal fans come out for days of drinking and great music. Baroness, Deafheaven, Rosetta, and many others will be doing live sets.
Locals Only Beer Fest: This Saturday, the Seaport Independence Museum will be hosting a Locals Only Beer Festival. There will be countless breweries represented from the region, live entertainment, food, museum tours, free prizes, and more.
Philadelphia Brewing Company’s Walt Whitman Contest: On Saturday, April 13th From 3-6 pm, Philadelphia Brewing Compay will be celebrating the American poet and essayist’s 200th birthday! The contest will be judged based on Best Costume, Trivia/General Knowledge, Poetry Recitation, and the best pitch for why you should win. Participants and attendees can enjoy pints of Philadelphia Brewing Co.’s Walt Whit for $3 all afternoon. participants can register here.
ManayunkStrEAT Food Festival: Its time to eat until your heart’s content at this year’s Manayunk StrEAt Food Festival. The festivities take place this Sunday from 11 a.m-5 p.m. 50 of the area’s restaurants and food trucks will be on full display at one of the most anticipated food truck events the city has to offer!
Real Ale Invitational: This Sunday Yards Brewing Company will be hosting a Real Ale Invitational. There will be 60 varieties of “real ales” for you to sample at this 11th annual event. This will be a great way to enjoy the emerging good weather with some drinks.
Day Vibe: Staying true to the Game of Thrones theme, Mirage Restaurant and Lounge will be heating up this Sunday with a Day of Vibes brunch and day party. The South Street venue will have an exclusive brunch from 12 pm-4 pm and then flip to a day party from 4 pm -9 pm. There will be drink specials, bottle service, DJs playing the latest hits, and a packed dancefloor.
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When: Monday, April 15th, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
April 15th will be Bank & Bourbon’s 5th annual Bourbon Bash. Supporting Donor’s Choose, this event supports the local community in a major way. There will be specials and a celebratory barrel-shaped cake made by Executive Pastry Chef Amanda Kaewvichien that will be aged to perfection. Executive Chef Thomas Harkins will be preparing some of his signature dishes including Beef Tartare, a Charcuterie and Cheese station, a Raw Crudo Station and multiple action stations of salmon, porchetta, cowboy steaks, and pork chops.
To support Donors Choose and to purchase tickets for the 5th Annual Bourbon Bash, click here. Tickets start at $69 per person.
You can follow Candis McLean on Twitter (@CandisRMcLean) and e-mail her at [email protected].
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