Candis R. McLean
Featured Bars and Restaurants
This Sunday is Cinco de Mayo. Here’s a list of the best attractions, crawls, and celebrations in the city this weekend.
Cinco de Mayo Silent Party Cruise: Silent Philly will be hitting the high seas this Saturday night with its Silent Cinco de Mayo Cruise. The event will feature three music choices blasting through your colorful headphones. Red (Latin), Green (Top 40 and EDM), and Blue (Hip Hop) will help you dance the night away at this party.
Cinco de Mayo Crawl Philly: This Cinco de Mayo crawl will offer free covers at the 30 participating locations, a free shirt for the first 200 who check in, free beads and swag from vendors, live music, and more.
Philadelphia Tacos N’ Tequila Crawl: This Saturday is the Tacos N’ Tequila Crawl, starting at Howl at the Moon. Celebrate Cinco De Mayo with a bar crawl where you’ll get free tacos and 40% off tequila beverages.
El Rey Cinco de Mayo Block Party: Come to El Rey this Sunday for it’s Cinco de Mayo Block Party. Beginning at 12 p.m. this party will have tons of games and activities, margarita specials, mariachi performances, and savory street food. Gun$ Garcia will be holding a concert at the restaurant that night.
2nd Annual Cinco de Retox Day Party: This Sunday, May 5th, come to Mad Rex for Cinco de RETOX from 4:30 pm-10 pm. There will be a great DJ spinning the best hits, $7 Don Julio margarita’s, and more.
CO-OP Restaurant and Lounge: CO-OP Restaurant and Lounge, the lively corner restaurant located in University City, is bringing a Pennsylvania Mint Julep with local Kinsey rye, mint, syrup, and shaved ice to the races for $10. Guests can enjoy this local take on the Derby Day favorite while watching the race live at the bar.
The Bar by Bluebird Distilling: The Bar by Bluebird Distilling at The Bourse, located in the historic food hall in Old City, is offering a frozen take on the Mint Julep ($11), and is made with award-winning Four Grain Bourbon and garnished with a fresh sprig of mint. This frozen treat can be enjoyed while watching the Derby on projectors in the main dining space at the center of the food hall.
Jet Wine Bar: Jet Wine Bar: Jet Wine BarPhiladelphia’s “global vineyard,” will be offering classic Mint Juleps for $9 during the Derby for those looking to stick with Kentucky Derby traditions. Guests can also enjoy small bites from the bar menu, such as Truffle Black Pepper Popcorn ($4) or Herbed Ricotta Crostini ($9), while cheering on their favorite horses.
Ocean Prime: Celebrate the Kentucky Derby in style at Ocean Prime, one of Philly’s most gorgeous dining rooms. Guests can sip on Mint Juleps boasting their choice of spirit, simple syrup, Disaronno, Angostura Bitters, and mint while enjoying complimentary truffle popcorn and a live broadcast of the races.
Philadelphia Brewing Company: Philadelphia Brewing Company, Philadelphia’s oldest and largest brewery, is inviting guests to grab their fanciest hats and come watch the most exciting two minutes in sports in the Peacock Room. Guests who come wearing their most marvelous hat can enjoy Mint Juleps for $9, while those who choose to stay bare-headed can enjoy one for $10. Hats off to that!
Red Owl Tavern: Red Owl Tavern, located across the street from Independence Hall, is offering a Chartreuse Spiked Julep ($10) to Derby Day guests, courtesy of lead bartender, Kyle Darrow. Made with bourbon, Yellow Chartreuse, mint, and crushed ice, this libation has an extra bit of kick to it and finishes with fresh herbal notes.
Rex 1516: Rex 1516, Philadelphia’s go-to for elevated Southern cuisine, will live broadcast the races starting at 5 pm on Saturday — the only sporting event the restaurant and bar airs all year. Guests can enjoy the most exciting two minutes in sports while sipping on Mint Juleps ($9) from Lead Bartender, Lou DiNunzio.
Square 1682: Square 1682, located a few blocks from Rittenhouse Square, has created a riff on a Moscow Mule for Derby lovers to enjoy. Aptly named Hats and Horses, this refreshing cocktail is half-price during Derby Day, bringing it to $7, and is made with bourbon, blackberry, mint, and lemon.
The Twisted Tail: Head to The Twisted Tail on Saturday, May 4th from 2pm-8pm for their annual Kentucky Derby Outdoor Viewing Party. Watch the races outside on a giant 18-foot TV screen while sipping a Mint Julep ($6) in true Southern style. Every guest receives an entry into the Derby Draw for the winning horse. The raffle winner will receive a commemorative Maker’s Mark Kentucky Derby bottle. Additional prizes will be awarded to the Best Hat and Bow Tie.
Urban Farmer: Urban Farmer, the modern American steakhouse located off Logan Square, will be featuring the favorite of the day, a Mint Julep ($14), for the Derby. Guests can watch the race, then head out to the recently opened outdoor dining space and enjoy the fresh evening air while finishing their drink.
The PHILADERBY: The PHILADERBY Philadelphia’s Kentucky Derby Experience is this Saturday, May 4th at 3 pm-11 pm. Come t0 Sunset Social “enjoy all aspects of Louisville’s high society racing spectacle without leaving the heart of Philadelphia.”
Kentucky Derby Watch Party: Xfinity Live! will be hosting a Kentucky Derby watch party. Sponsored by Blue Moon, guests can watch the race on the big screen! Plus you can enter to win our grand prize: a trip to the Kentucky Derby 2020 (May 2, 2020) for you and a guest AND $1,500 cash prize!
Each week, Philly Influencer picks the best parties, events, and social gatherings the area has to offer.
Parks On Tap: Parks on Tap will be at Rittenhouse Town through Sunday, May 5th. Come out to this traveling beer garden and food truck extravaganza for scenic views and great brews. Today there will be a special Happy Hour with proceeds going to Philadelphia parks.
Philadelphia Magazine’s Wine Festival: On Thursday, May 2nd Lincoln Financial Field will be hosting Philadelphia Magazine’s Wine Festival. From 5 to 9 p.m., you’ll have access to over 500 reds, whites & bubbly from around over the globe. Over 20 of Philadelphia’s top restaurants will also be serving up fantastic dishes at the soiree.
Philly Tech Week Opening Party: Philly Tech Week is about to gear up. The next few days will be full of panels of innovation, discussions, demonstrations, and a few parties. The kick-off party for the week will be taking place this Friday night and will feature cocktails, a scavenger hunt through Old City, and more.
All That 90s Party: This Friday night Voltage Lounge will be hosting All That 90s Party. Stop by between the hours of 9:30 p.m. and 2 a.m. to hear DJ D Marco play the best hits from that unique decade.
Bold Women & Beer Festival: Pink Boots Society Philadelphia and Love City Brewing Company teamed up to host the first ever Bold Women & Beer Festival in Pennsylvania on Saturday, May 4th from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Love City Brewing Company. The festival is entirely women and craft beer-focused and highlights the women behind the beer. Guests can look forward to an incredible network of female brewers, but can also enjoy samples from 30+ breweries, performances by women-fronted bands and bites from Philadelphia-based food trucks.
South Street Spring Festival and Maifest: Head to South Street this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. for the South Street Spring Festival and Maifest. There will be a giant Maypole, live music, eating contests, a kids’ zone, and more. Brauhaus Schmitz’s German beer will be flowing through the entire event.
You can follow Candis McLean on Twitter (@CandisRMcLean) and e-mail her at [email protected].
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