Beer Gardens Bloom In Philadelphia

A Sudsy Summer Awaits Thanks To Pop-Up & Permanent Beer Gardens & A New Beer Garden Series

 

A highlight of the warm-weather months, the seasonal and completely outdoor Morgan’s Pier, which sits along the Delaware River in the shadow of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, is just one of the many beer gardens that visitors can enjoy this summer.

Credit: Photo by J. Fusco for Visit Philadelphia™

 There’s only one place for beer lovers to be this summer, and that’s Philadelphia, where beer gardens abound and where craft beers are king. The two newest additions to the city’s beer garden scene are limited-run only spots: Spruce Street Harbor Park,a beautiful oases along the Delaware River waterfront; and the Independence Beer Garden, a 20,000-square-foot space located across the street from the Liberty Bell.

To capitalize on the city’s growing beer-garden craze, VISIT PHILADELPHIA^™ is launching the Visit Philly Beer Garden Series, a new Friday happy hour taking place over the course of 12 weeks at one of six beer gardens throughout the city. The series runs June 6 through August 29 from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at Morgan’s Pier, Frankford Hall, Independence Beer Garden, PHS Pop Up Garden, Spruce Street Harbor Park and The Oval. Each spot will host two happy hours throughout the summer. On tap: food and beer specials, games and giveaways. The complete schedule is available at uwishunu.com.

Here’s a look at the city’s beer gardens—all places where suds devotees can enjoy warm temps and laid-back vibes, along with pale ales, pilsners and porters aplenty, all season long:

Pop-Up Spots:

• This year’s installment of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s Pop Up Garden makes its home at 15^th and South Streets, next to the Jamaican Jerk Hut. On tap: a selection of craft beers and tropical cocktails, a rotating roster of food trucks and Caribbean dishes served by the Jerk Hut. PHS will outfit the outdoor space with artful elements transplanted from the Flower Show, along with palm trees, cabanas, hammocks and lights. The seven-days-a-week spot runs from June 13 through mid-October. 1438-46 South Street,phsonline.org/greening/pop-up-gardens
• Although not officially dubbed a beer garden, the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation’s new Spruce Street Harbor Park boasts all of the essential elements for beer-garden revelry: ample outdoor seating, local beer offerings and higher-end grab-and-go food available from a cargo container. The pop-up spot, open daily from June 27 through August 31, also features a hammock garden, boardwalk, urban beach, fountains and a series of floating barges with lily pad water gardens. Columbus Boulevard & Spruce Streets, (215) 922-2FUN,delawareriverwaterfront.com
• The Oval returns to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway for its second summer of outdoor fun beginning on July 16. Along with food, musical performances, movies and mini golf, visitors can say cheers to a beer garden on Wednesday through Saturday nights through August 16. The Oval’s beer offerings will vary throughout the garden’s five-week run. 2601 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, phila.gov/theoval

Permanent Pleasures:

• Opening on July 4 across from the Liberty Bell, the aptly named Independence Beer Garden brings 20,000-square-feet of outdoor drinking and eating space to America’s most historic square mile. Helmed by Michael Schulson of Sampan fame and executive chef Travis Masar, a contestant on season 11 of Top Chef, the six-months-a-year beer garden will feature an all-American food and drink menu. Think burgers, wings, shrimp rolls, mac and cheese and BLTs washed down by beer selections from Yards Brewing Company, Goose Island, Sly Fox, Dogfish Head and others. Adding to the atmosphere: fire pits, games, string lights and fully grown trees. 100 Independence Mall West, (215) 922-7100, phlbeergarden.com
• Tucked behind Greek hotspot Opa, the Drury Beer Garden—complete with its own Drury Street entrance—offers about a dozen cans, a dozen bottles and eight drafts to complement its casual menu. Parties of six can celebrate summer with the $150 package that includes a case of beer, a crab-leg feast, cole slaw, Old Bay fries and dessert. 1311 Sansom Street, (215) 545-0170, opaphiladelphia.com
• Now in its fourth summer, Stephen Starr’s Frankford Hall seats up to 240 people outside. The space is simple by Starr standards, complete with exposed brick walls, reclaimed industrial materials and ping-pong tables. Classic German foods—pretzels, bratwurst, spatzle—are available at a walk-up counter, as is a hefty beer menu that includes everything from traditional German beers to craft specialties available by the half-liter or liter. 1210 Frankford Avenue, (215) 634-3338, frankfordhall.com
• Llama Tooth restaurant and beer garden boasts an ambitious beer menu that pays plenty of attention to local favorites from Yards, Philadelphia Brewing Company, Dogfish Head, Flying Fish, Weyerbacher, Voodoo and many others. Drinkers can size up their prospective beer’s state of origin, style and Beer Advocate score before making their selection. Situated across the street from popular music venue Union Transfer, the mural-clad beer garden also offers a simple menu of salads, burgers and shareable appetizers. 1033 Spring Garden Street, (267) 639-4582, llamatooth.com
• ’Tis the season for dining and drinking outdoors, and Memphis Taproom is just the place to do it. The narrow picnic table-clad spot serves up gourmet hot dogs of the beef, vegan and vegetarian variety, along with canned beers. Patrons can catch Phillies games on the oversized projection TV, compete in Quizzo on Thursday nights and watch movies on select Saturday nights. 2331 E. Cumberland Street, (215) 425-4460, memphistaproom.com
• Conveniently located next to Race Street Pier, the three-year-old Morgan’s Pier has a lot going for it aside from its stellar views. In a backyard setting filled with wooden picnic tables, vintage umbrellas, twinkling lights and Liden trees, a laid-back crowd enjoys a hefty selection of canned draft beers, along with a refined foodie picnic menu. After dark, Morgan’s Pier hosts musicians and guest DJs to entertain the large crowds for a small cover fee. 221 N. Columbus Boulevard, (215) 279-7134, morganspier.com
• Part island oasis/part junkyard, Silk City’s beer garden is filled with colorful wooden tables, empty-kegs-turned-chairs, string lights galore and garden ornament-like objects likely salvaged at many a yard sale. The hipster clientele at this perennially packed spot enjoys a large selection of high- and low-end beers—everything from Dogfish Head Indian Brown and Sly Fox Phoenix Pale Ale to PBR and Miller High Life. Also on offer: American fare with flair that’s so good it’s been featured on the Food Network’s popular Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. 435 Spring Garden Street, (215) 592-8838, silkcityphilly.com

Visit Philadelphia^™, formerly known as Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation, makes Philadelphia and The Countryside^® a premier destination through marketing and image building that increases the number of visitors, the number of nights they stay and the number of things they do in the five-county area.

Greater Philadelphia’s official visitor website and blog, visitphilly.com and uwishunu.com make up the most-visited website network out of the 10 biggest U.S. cities. Visitors can explore things to do, upcoming events, themed itineraries and hotel packages. Compelling photography and videos, interactive maps and detailed visitor information make the sites effective trip-planning tools. Travelers can also call and stop into the Independence Visitor Center for additional information and tickets.