Candis R. McLean
Featured Bars and Lounges
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Cocktails of the Week: National Watermelon Day
National Watermelon Day is Friday, August 3rd. Here’s a list of local spots blending this popular summer fruit into amazing cocktails:
Art in the Age: Art in the Age is an amazing tasting room, bottle shop, and bar supply store. Come try their fantastic Watermelon Cucumber Cooler cocktail for just $8. The blend is infused with Powerhorn Vodka, lime juice, cucumber, and watermelon juice.
Bluebird Distilling: Bluebird Distilling’s Beverage Director and Bar Manager Matthew Giarratano will be on hand this Friday to present The Rosey-Faced Lovebird cocktail. The summer beverage mixes Bluebird Dark Rum, Campari, pineapple juice, fresh jalapeño, and watermelon for just $12.
Red Owl Tavern: Independence Mall’s Red Owl Tavern celebrates Herbie Hancock’s “Watermelon Man” song with a tremendous blend of the same name. The $10 beverage, poured out by Lead Bartender Kyle Darrow, mixes kaffir lime-infused rum, watermelon juice, lime, simple syrup, mint and angostura bitters.
The Twisted Tail: The Twisted Tail will be highlighting their menu item, the Summer Punch Bowl (gin and fresh pressed watermelon juice and topped with melon slices) for $10 (serves 4-6). For larger parties, there’s a $20 Bowl option (serves 10-12). Both options are available during the happy hour times of 5-7 PM this Friday and Saturday.
For Watermelon Cooler and The Rosey-Faced Lovedbird recipes, click here.
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Center City Sips Picks: Ocean Prime, Porta, and Vango Sky Lounge
Each Wednesday between the hours of 5PM-7PM the areas of Avenue of the Arts, Center City East, Center City West, and Rittenhouse Square participate in Center City Sips. Over 80 participating locations have $6 cocktails, $5 wines, $4 beers, and appetizer discounts. Here are this week’s best deals.
Ocean Prime: Ocean Prime is a Center City treasure offering up fantastic cocktails and an indulgent dining experience. This Sunday, August 5th, is National Oyster Day. There will be several half-priced oyster selections throughout the day. Half-shell oysters (originally $19) will be on special. The seafood-centric restaurant is open 4 PM – 9 PM on Sundays. You can also celebrate National Watermelon Day there with their limited-edition Watermelon Elyx (Absolut Elyx, gin, basil, watermelon purée and ginger bitters, three watermelon spheres) during happy hour.
Porta: Porta Philadelphia opened last year. The swanky and hip pizzeria, bar, lounge, and live entertainment venue really captures the culture clash that exists in a massive city. The “Love opens all doors” motto eatery features a $6 Citywide cocktail (shot of Jack and Narragansett tall boy) during Sips. Try half-priced meatball sliders, fried polenta, fried mozzarella, and Many Thanks sliders.
Vango Lounge & Skybar: Vango Lounge & Skybar is one of the rooftop hotspots in the etched in the heart of Center City. Appetizers at the nightlife hub include spicy wings, fried calamari, a selection of fries, hummus, mash potatoes with harissa, and more. With multiple bars on location, there are several cocktails, beers, and other pairing options available to you.
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Old City Eats Picks: Ardiente, Glory Beer Bar & Kitchen, and Khyber Pass Pub
Each Thursday between the hours of 5 pm-8 pm Philadelphia participates in Old City Eats. Over 25 participating locations have half-priced appetizers, $4 beers, $5 cocktails, and other drink specials.
Ardiente: Ardiente opened its doors this year. The lavish Asian and Latin hybrid restaurant boasts a gorgeous interior and a wide range of cocktails. The small plates feature simmering dishes such as fried shishito peppers, volcano chicken, crispy squid, and more. There are plenty of ceviches, clay pot rice and noodles, seafood, and vegetarian dishes on the dazzling menu.
Glory Beer Bar & Kitchen: Glory Beer Bar & Kitchen will be opening this month. The beer hall styled interiors feature spanning communal tables and an open atmosphere. There are 36 taps at the new spot and the eatery will feature a bottle list over 100 options deep. Pub fare will highlight the menu that will have lunch, dinner, and brunch selections each week.
Khyber Pass Pub: Khyber Pass Pub features many popular and tasty options during Eats. They have many small plate sliders on the menu including BBQ pork or vegan. Try their $5 Single Prop Rum Hurricanes during these discount hours. Also $5 Victory Braumeister Pils will be available for all you beer lovers in the region.
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Weekly Events
Each week, Philly Influencer picks the best parties, events, and social gatherings the area has to offer.
Parks On Tap: Parks On Tap is at Mount Pleasant this week. The beautiful terrain will be bursting with lively guest, food trucks, the best brews, and more. On Thursday from 6-7 PM, there will be free yoga in the park. The hours for this roaming beer garden are Wednesday and Thursday 5– 10 PM, Friday 4–11 PM, Saturday 1-11 PM, and Sunday 12–10 PM.
PHS Pop Up Specials: The Philadelphia Horticultural Society has pop up beer gardens at 15th & South and University City. Each week they have tremendous drink specials at each location. Monday: $6 margaritas, Tuesday: $3 Tecate, Wednesday: $4 shrubs, and Sunday: $6 sangria. Happy Hour is Monday – Friday kicking off at 6 PM.
Guava Lava Party at Bok Bar: Dock Street Brewery and artist Brian Giniewski have partnered in the brewery’s latest release. The new and refreshing pale ale, Guava Lava, front and center at Bok Bar this Wednesday night from 5-8 PM. The rooftop venue will feature the new brew that is highlighted by Giniewski’s artwork on the can. The pop up will have live music, drinks, and more.
Howl at the Moon Singles Party: This Thursday Howl at the Moon will be hosting a singles event with a complimentary appetizer buffet. There will be a live band, great conversation, drink specials, and a spanning small plate menu for just $15.
Best in Philly Soiree: This Thursday Dilworth Park will be hosting its annual Best in Philly Soiree. The blowout party celebrates the best in Philadelphia dining, cocktails, and culture each year. There will be live music, a dance floor, live painting, and plenty of food and cocktails to go around.
Silent Party at The Oval: The Oval, in partnership with Silent Phlly, will be hosting a silent party this Thursday night. This is a free ticket and first-come-first-serve event. The party begins at 8 pm. Come grab your colorful headset and be prepared to dance the night away.
GVO Happy Hour: Good Vibes Only will be hosting a happy hour this Friday night at SPiN Philadelphia from 7-10 PM. DJ Aye Boogie will be playing the latest hits, there will be prizes and giveaways, drink specials, and more.
2nd Street Food Festival: Now in its 10th year, the 2nd Street Food Festival will be taking over Northern Liberties this Sunday. The area’s local shops, restaurants, and bars will all be bursting with special deals and storefront attractions. There will also be live music, food, and much more.
Featured Event
Goose Island Beer Co.’s 215 Block Party
Where: Electric Factory, 421 N 7th St.
When: Saturday, Septmember 8th, 5PM
Goose Island Beer Co. will be bringing their massive and blowout block party to the City of Philadelphia this September.
The legendary brewery recently opened a Fishtown location this year. In celebration of the Philly Brewhouse, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Twin Peaks, and Joey Purp will be performing live on the Electric Factory outdoor stage. There will be more than 20 Goose Island beers available at this music fest for $3 each as well as food trucks with food from both Chicago and Philly.
There’s an exclusive pre-sale for this event this Thursday at the Goose Island Brewhouse from 5:30 pm-7:30 pm. Tickets will just be $10 at the pre-sale!
Tickets go on sale via Ticketmaster on Friday at 10 AM for $22.
You can follow Candis McLean on Twitter (@CandisRMcLean) and e-mail her at [email protected].
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