Top Outdoor Beer Garden Destinations Not to Miss During Summer 2019
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Philadelphia’s outdoor summer beer garden season is back! Do not miss out on the biggest and most happening spots in Philly, including six represented by Aversa PR. The 2019 season launches with spots in the hottest neighborhoods of the city, major changes to classic favorites, like Uptown Beer Garden by Craft Concepts Group, and limited-edition seasonal custom drafts.
Full summaries and additional information are below.
1) Uptown Beer Garden
1735 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 397-3308
Fifth Season - Opens Second Week of May
Delayed by a week for special upgrades in honor of FIFTH anniversary!
Philadelphia's largest Center City beer garden is back again for 2019! This year, the opening is delayed as Craft Concepts Group has some MAJOR improvements and refurbishments in the works to make this the best year ever. In honor of the fifth anniversary, also look for FIVE special custom exclusive craft drafts Craft Concepts Group brewed with notable brewers - and you can only get them at Uptown! Uptown IPA will also return on the sixth draft line. Look for an opening around the second week of May.
Teddy Sourias and Craft Concepts Group (BRU Craft & Wurst, U-Bahn, Blume, Tradesman's, Tinsel) announce the return of Uptown Beer Garden to 1735 JFK Blvd. Kegs will start to pour for Uptown's fifth summer season with a weekend-long grand opening party in the heart of Center City around the second weekend of May. The 9,000 square foot outdoor pop-up garden will feature an all exclusive line-up of taps, including five exclusive beers and an exclusive cider brewed specially for Uptown guests, Uptown IPA on the sixth line, plus a new and expanded food menu, expanded bar service, and a new charity partner. Uptown also will also offer an extended season.
Uptown Beer Garden is nestled among the trees of the courtyard for the BNY Mellon Wealth Building. Look for more greening, more decor, more furniture in 2019 - with special surprises on the way. The 9,000 square foot urban oasis features slab communal tables, outdoor lighting, outdoor bars, rustic decor, craft cans and drafts, cocktails and sangria, a giant outdoor grill, and a menu of backyard BBQ and elevated pub favorites. Uptown will also offer access to adjacent private event space for larger (or more exclusive) parties in the inner atrium of the BNY Mellon Wealth Building. Based on the popularity of Uptown in 2018, look for additional events to be announced this year, and private events will have the opportunity to work with an expanded private event staff for private party planning in the current space and adjacent spaces.
Watch for 2019 full season details coming soon - including the official opening date. Watch for the opening date for Blume, also by CCG, in the next 2-3 days.
2) The Urban Green
Philadelphia Zoo
3400 W Girard Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 243-1100
https://philadelphiazoo.org/Explore/The-Urban-Green.htm
Now open for the season - grand opened on April 6, 2019
Just in time for summer season, Philadelphia Zoo presents a brand-new dining destination and urban oasis called The Urban Green. Philadelphia Zoo’s new open-air air food and drink marketplace officially opened on Saturday, April 6, 2019. The Urban Green features a variety of craft beer selections, as well as cider, wine and non-alcoholic beverages. Guests will also find three brand-new food trucks including The Fry Bowl (fried favorites), Root to Leaf (vegetarian-based fare) and Pressed (paninis and wraps). Lancer Hospitality’s Executive Chef Oleg Zelonko has designed an array of delicious options from fresh, delicious sandwiches and custom fries to frequently changing craft beers and vibrant wines. Groundswell Design Group, known for their work on Spruce Street Harbor Park, partnered with Philadelphia Zoo on the design of the project. Other features of The Urban Green include a 132 feet long giant mural by Groundswell Design Group as a backdrop, hang out space for the family, numerous spots for the perfect photo to remember your visit, and a boardwalk to connect the market area and food trucks with the play and dining areas.
The Urban Green will be open seven days per week from 9:30-5:00pm. Entrance is included with Zoo admission. For more information, visit philadelphiazoo.org.
3) Watering Hole: Beer Garden & Oasis
Philadelphia Zoo
3400 W Girard Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 243-1100
https://www.philadelphiazoo.org/Explore/Philadelphia-Zoo-Watering-Hole.htm
Soft open now, official season grand opening in early May
Philadelphia Zoo’s open-air beer & wine garden, The Watering Hole, made its debut in 2018. Guests are invited to kick back, have a snack and enjoy a delicious libation at this popular thirst-quenching refreshment spot located near Eagle’s Roost eatery in the shady south end of the Zoo. The Watering Hole features outdoor seating, a frequently changing beer menu with craft and domestic beers, a delightful selection of wines and amazing light fare--this lovely outdoor retreat is one of the best alfresco hangouts in Philadelphia. “We are excited to offer our guests an amazing outdoor setting to enjoy with the family while visiting the Zoo,” says Philadelphia Zoo’s Chief Marketing Officer Amy Shearer. “We have consistently heard from our visitors and members that having additional beverage choices to enjoy with lunch or during their visit are a welcomed, so we provided more options at The Watering Hole as well as at other popular lunch destinations at the Zoo. Refreshing drinks, delicious light fare and an enjoyable atmosphere make this “the” spot to be.”
The Watering Hole is open now for a soft launch on weekends in April from Friday to Sunday, during regular Zoo daily hours. In May after the season grand opening, The Watering Hole will be open seven days a week during regular Zoo Hours. Entrance to The Watering Hole is included with Zoo admission.
4) Evil Genius Beer Garden
1727 N Front St
Philadelphia, PA 19122
(215) 425-6820
Grand opening April 20, 2019
Evil Genius founders Luke Bowen and Trevor Hayward announce the official grand opening of the Evil Genius Beer Garden on Friday, April 19, 2019 - come celebrate the first full season for this Fishtown open-air hot spot! Major features of Evil Genius Beer Garden include bar top and more seating space for up to 150 people at the same time - with street art by Philadelphia artist Amebrella, a refurbished outdoor bar, three faux trellises and pergolas, six draft lines, and a selection of Evil Genius cans including special releases. With ample water bowls throughout the garden, a coming-soon doggie fashion show, and ample space for four-legged friends, Evil Genius prides itself on being one of the most dog friendly beer gardens in the city. The special event program this summer will include everything from a low country boil, to weekly happy hours that benefit a different charity each week, a murder mystery night and many others to be announced.
"We are proud to introduce the Evil Genius Beer Garden for the 2019 summer season," said Hayward. "As we continue to make some very serious beers (with very silly names) on the inside of the brewery, we now want to give you a chance to take the fun outdoors all summer long. We plan to have events to activate the space and keep things creative all throughout the season starting with this weekend's beach-style party - and continuing with a doggie fashion show, a low country boil, weekly charity nights - plus events for the return of Philly Beer Week."
Evil Genius Beer Garden is located directly next to the award-winning taproom, dining room and bar - known collectively as "Evil Genius Lab." Guests can enter directly from front street through massive rustic metal gates designed by S.D. Design, or guests can enter from inside the brewery itself. High above the garden look for a giant Evil Genius art mural of the company's logo surrounded by ambient string lights. On the adjacent walls look for Goth Hearts from local street and mixed media artist Amberella. Seating and bar space has been expanded with more wooden bars with bar stools, high top tables, communal tables with bench style seating, wooden benches, three faux trellises and pergolas, barrel seating, a rocker and more. Decor features also include reclaimed timber, distressed metals, faux grass and rock floor. The beer garden is dog friendly with ample water bowls throughout the layout.
For more about Evil Genius and the beer garden, visit http://evilgeniusbeer.com/ or call 215-425-6820.
5) Piazza Pod Park
Germantown Avenue at N. 2nd Street,
Philadelphia PA 19123
(For GPS purposes The Piazza is at 1001 N 2nd St #21, Philadelphia, PA 19123)
www.piazzapodpark.com - Official site launching soon! Look for a grand opening in middle May 2019 (tentative date: May 10-12)
Post Brothers announce the launch of Piazza Pod Park, located on Germantown Avenue at N. 2nd Street. Piazza Pod Park will be far be the largest dining destination and beer garden-style space in the city to open this spring - with 35,000 square feet of outdoor space that is uniquely Northern Liberties, featuring dining, art, civic space, kids and fitness components, as well as regular entertainment and events. Capturing the artistic and design-centric character of the Northern Liberties neighborhood that surrounds it, the Pod Park will feature retail spaces made entirely of recycled shipping containers, two mega-scale installations from internationally acclaimed artists, and a local artists in residence program with regular classes. Nearly a dozen dining options will include many locally and nationally recognized restaurant owners. Additional retail attractions will include Tiny Tildie’s Toy Box, an outpost of the mighty Tildie’s Toy Box on East Passyunk Avenue, and the newest location of insta-famous Osayi Osunde’s Fit Academy. Waving from the Center of Piazza Pod Park will be BEBOT, a 33-foot tall, 13,000-pound robot from Burning Man. Look for seating for up to 300 people. Connecting The Piazza and Piazza Pod Park to the Market/Frankford Line of SEPTA will be an outdoor art installation created out of 185 pulsing and colorful ThinkCubes. Entertainment will include food festivals, themed happy hours, yappy hours, outdoor concerts, food and drink workshops, and other special events.
Next to BEBOT, at the center of the park, look for a two-level enclosed and climate controlled dining pod with a roof deck with unparalleled views of the park, the night’s entertainment, and of course, the robot himself. Surrounding BEBOT and the dining pod, are 14 colorful repurposed shipping containers, spread out in the four zones in one oversize semi-circle.
Dining options from many locally recognized restaurant operators at the opening will include:
· Dim Sum House’s Lil Sum Sum, from Jackson Fu, operator of the spectacularly popular Dim Sum House and Jane G’s in University City
· Spread Bagelry, the beloved Philly-based Montreal-style bagel shop by Larry Rosenblum, representing his third new location coming this spring
· French Toast Bites, by viral sensation Lokal Artisan Foods owner Charisse McGill who made her debut at the Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market
· Tiki Tacos, by the deep-rooted Owen Kamihara of the NoLibs stalwart El Camino
· Mama Maria’s Italian Ice, scandalously good locally made Italian ice by Nico Papanikolaou
· Empanada Box - Savory pastries influenced by different cultures plus elote, Mexican street corn, with brushed mayo, cheese and spices
Adult refreshments will be available from neighborhood destination Urban Village brewery, acclaimed local distillery New Liberty Distillery, and more to be announced.
STAY TUNED: Look for a major restaurant group that specializes in the best craft beer lists in the city to be announced for Piazza Pod Park in coming weeks!
6) Parx Beer Garden
Parx Casino
2999 Street Road
Bensalem, PA
https://www.parxcasino.com/beergarden
Officially now open for the season
Parx Casino®, Pennsylvania’s #1 casino, presents the region's largest and most state-of-the-art new beer gardens in time for summer season. Parx brings the concept of a beer garden to the next level with a sprawling 7,600+ sf space with 24 rotating craft drafts, 14 wine options, specialty cocktails, a full bar, and exceptional food from the chefs at the adjacent Liberty Bell Gastropub and Oliveto. Overhead, take in the view as the entire state-of-the-art glass roof retracts letting in the sun-rays and warmer temperatures when spring arrives. Head outside through the retractable glass walls that open out to two patios featuring lush greenery, modern furniture and ten foot long fire pits. For game day action, place your bets on the sports betting kiosks, while you catch the game on two giant LED TV walls. Call your squad, pull up a barstool and get ready to say “what a night” in Buck’s County’s newest nightlife hotspot.
“Parx Beer Garden is designed to be our next evolution and the perfect complement to our Xcite Center, X Lounge and two new restaurants, Liberty Bell Gastropub and Oliveto,” said Yeghiche Manoukian, Executive Vice President of Parx Casino®. “With this bold new addition, we wanted to create a year-round, all-weather beer garden that was at the next level and something you can’t find anywhere else in the Philadelphia region. Raising a glass with an exceptional list of draft selections in a unique and cool beer garden setting is an amenity we are proud to offer. We aim to be a one stop shop for entertainment - and offer the total package for our customers.”
Parx Beer Garden is new construction and part of continued expansion efforts on property. The entrance is located through the dining room in Liberty Bell Gastropub. Once inside, patrons can enjoy 7,600+ square feet of entertainment space - including 4,000 square feet inside for the main bar and dining room, and 3,600+ square feet for the two outdoor patios. Seating will be available for 155 inside and 65 outside. The roof over the bar and interior dining tables features a custom built a retractable roof system and exterior glass walls are retractable and will pull back to create more mixed use indoor-outdoor space. Outdoors, look for modern wooden features to match the interior, lush greenery, tables and chairs, and ten-foot long fire pits.
Hours are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays 4:00pm to 11:00pm, Fridays 4:00pm to 2:00am, Saturdays Noon to 2:00am and Sundays Noon to 10:00pm. Look for an update for hours as summer approaches.
Parx Beer Garden features complimentary self-parking, plus complimentary valet parking on weekdays. Valet parking is available for a nominal fee on weekends.
Parx Beer Garden will seat on first come, first serve basis. Reservations are not accepted at this time. For more information about the Parx Beer Garden, call (888) 588-7279 or visit www.parxcasino.com/beergarden.
