September 27, 2021 — Fall is here. Temperatures are super comfortable and leaves are starting to change color. It’s the perfect season for outdoor imbibing. We put together a round up of some of our favorite restaurants, bars, distilleries, and more for drinking outdoors in Philadelphia and beyond.
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Art in the Age, Old City’s one-of-a-kind tasting room, home bar supply and bottle shop, offers imbibers a verdant, sweeping outdoor cocktail garden for sipping unique, seasonal craft cocktails courtesy of the expert, in-house mixologists. The lush al fresco garden is an ideal venue for enjoying spirit tastings and cocktails made with autumnal ingredients such as Sierra Fig Cordial, Spiced Maple Vodka, and Apple Crisp Apple Brandy, in addition to partaking in happy hour daily from 3 – 5pm, featuring $2 off cocktails and $1 off local beer and cider.
Hours of operation are Tuesday through Sunday from 12 – 6 pm.
116 N 3rd Street | 215.922.2600 | http://artintheage.com/
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Assembly Rooftop Lounge, Center City’s upscale rooftop lounge with panoramic views of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, City Hall and the Philadelphia Museum of Art, boasts expansive outdoor seating on a vast chic terrace, fit for enjoying a bevy of frozen cocktails, Champagne, sparkling wine, and more whilst taking in sweeping views of the parkway. For chilly fall nights, a smattering of heat lamps and fire pits add to a comfortable atmosphere for guests.
Hours of operation: Tuesday through Saturday 4 – 9 pm
1840 Benjamin Franklin Parkway | 215.963.2723 | https://assemblyrooftop.com
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Devil’s Den, known as one of the city’s best beer bars, also has a plethora of frozen popsicles, craft cocktails, and a selection of wines available for sipping at the outdoor streetery and sidewalk patio. Guests can take in fall temps during the fan-favorite weekend brunch service [fit with $5 Bloody Marys and Mimosas] as well as the highly-successful monthly drag series Drag Me to the Den.
Hours of operation are Tuesday through Friday 4 – 9 pm, Saturday from 11 am – 9 pm, and Sunday from 11 am – 9 pm, with brunch service on Saturday and Sunday from 11 am – 2 pm.
1148 South 11th Street | 215.339.0855 | http://www.devilsdenphilly.com
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East Passyunk Avenue, home to over 150 independently owned businesses in South Philadelphia, is an ideal spot to stroll and sip while catching some rays. Various Avenue restaurants such as Barcelona Wine Bar, Flannel, Cantina Los Caballitos, Pub on Passyunk East, La Scala’s Birra, Separatist Beer Project, and Bing Bing Dim Sum offer spacious venues for outdoor dining and drinking with stellar happy hour specials, in addition to takeaway and delivery.
Check out the respective businesses’ websites for hours of operation.
1904 E. Passyunk Avenue | http://www.visiteastpassyunk.com/
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Fond, Chef Lee Styer’s acclaimed French-focused restaurant on East Passyunk Avenue, is ready for al fresco drinks on the patio heading into fall with an expanded seating area on 11th and Tasker, and a revamped menu of autumnal-inspired libations such as specialty cocktails including Pumpkin Flip composed of pumpkin purèe, rum, cognac, maple syrup, egg, and evaporated milk, exclusive wine by the glass or bottle, and local craft beer, in addition to a delicious menu offerings.
Opening hours: Wednesday through Sunday from 5 pm – 10 pm.
1537 S 11th St. | 215.551.5000 | http://fondphilly.com/
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Jet Wine Garden, Jet Wine Bar’s adjacent outdoor oasis, operates table service with refreshing cocktails, brews, and of course – global wines in addition to small bites at a vibrant and lush garden area. Guests are invited to imbibe from an array of white, red, rosé, orange, semi-sparkling, and sparkling wines, as well as other hard-to-find, rare wines while enjoying the breezy temps this fall. Additionally, Jet Wine Bar will continue to operate as a bottle shop— available for curbside pick-up or online order.
Jet Wine Garden debuts a bevy of new, seasonal offerings including Spiced Pear Prosecco Fiz, dry and rosé ciders, Dogfish Head Punkin Ale, an array of worldwide wines, and for snacking – Apple Salad, Cauliflower Wrap, Hummus, Fiesta Dogs, and more.
Opening hours are Monday through Thursday from 4 – 10pm, Friday from 4 – 11pm, Saturday from 12 – 11pm, and Sunday from 12 – 8pm.
1525 South St. | 215.735.1116 | https://jetwinebar.com/
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MilkBoy South Street (4th and South), part of the iconic, Philadelphia-born MilkBoy brand known for booze, bites, and great music, has taken streetery to a whole new level with an expanded and covered outdoor seating area dubbed “Rock Salt” in the late fall, early winter season, while MilkBoy Philly (11th and Chestnut), the landmark locale of the iconic Philadelphia-born brand located in Center City, offers plenty of sidewalk seating and happy hour on Monday through Friday from 4 – 6 pm which includes $2 off draft beer, glasses of wine, and cocktails. Both spots boast robust menus featuring mixed drinks, canned beers, and a unique selection of house-made seltzers for imbibers to enjoy al fresco.
Hours of operation: MilkBoy South Street: Monday – Thursday from 2pm – 12am, and Friday – Sunday from 11am – 12am
Hours of operation: MilkBoy Philly: daily from 7am – 2am
1100 Chestnut Street | 215.925.6455 | https://www.milkboy.tv/
MilkBoy South Street | 4 th and South St | 215.925.6455 | https://www.milkboysouthstreet.com/
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New Liberty Distillery, South Kensington’s craft distillery and home to award-winning spirit lines such as the revived heritage Kinsey brand, has recently launched an outdoor cocktail garden, boasting a full bar [built entirely by distillery staff during the pandemic], plenty of high-top tables, tastings, yard games such as the crowd-pleasing cornhole, and more.
Imbibers can sip on libations including Kinsey brand craft spirits, seasonally-apt hand-crafted cocktails, and candy-colored ALCO Canned Cocktails. Additionally, a jam-packed schedule of events will be held in the outdoor space, including collaborations with food trucks, local musicians, and so on.
Hours of operation for cocktail garden: Friday from 5 – 10pm and Saturday from 4 – 10pm
1431 N Cadwaller St. | 267.928.4650 | https://newlibertydistillery.com/
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Philadelphia Brewing Company, the city’s largest and oldest brewery located in Kensington, holds an expansive beer garden open for service year-round with covered picnic tables galore available for patrons to take a seat, grab a pint (or six pack) of Walt Wit, Working Cat, or Kenzinger, BYOF (bring your own food — or order from nearby Martha, Zig Zig BBQ, Pizza Brain, etc), and enjoy the warm weather. Bonus: the beer garden is pet-friendly too!
Hours of operation: Monday through Saturday from 11 am – Midnight, and Sunday from 11am – 11 pm.
2440 Frankford Ave | 215.427.2739 | http://philadelphiabrewing.com/
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Red Owl Tavern, the modern American tavern on Independence Mall, gives guests a chance to dine and drink al fresco on the spacious sidewalk patio with views of the historic Independence Mall. The seasonal food and beverage menu includes spirited, autumn-inspired cocktails – ideal for sipping outdoors while catching up with pals and taking in scenic Old City.
Hours of operation are Monday from 8am – 9pm, Thursday and Friday from 8am – 10pm, Saturday from 9am – 10pm, Sunday from 9am – 3pm, and closed Tuesday and Wednesday.
433 Chestnut St | 215.923.2267 | https://redowltavern.com/
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Royal Boucherie, Old City’s lively neighborhood bistro, offers a well-curated craft cocktail and French-forward wine selection, as well as sidewalk streetery and the famed second-floor, flourishing second-floor garden – one of Philadelphia’s most hidden gems. Imbibers are welcome to sip on a tasty tipple such as the À La Philly, composed of Northbound Rye Whiskey, Bénédictin, sweet vermouth, absinthe and Peychaud’s, at one of the many outdoor tables.
Hours of operation: Wednesday through Sunday from 4 – 10 pm
52 S. 2nd Street | 267.606.6313 | https://www.royalboucherie.com/
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Silk City Diner Bar & Lounge, the eclectic Northern Liberties diner and lounge, is ready for cooler, autumnal weather with expanded outdoor seating including a streetery on Lawrence and café seating along Spring Garden, in addition to Silk’s magic garden – filled with art, sculpture and other visual treats from restaurateur Mark Bee’s findings in and around Philly. The space calls for having a specialty cocktail with friends, such as their Spicy Margarita, Rotating Mule, and Spiced Apple Red Sangria.
435 Spring Garden Street | 215.592.8838 | https://www.silkcityphilly.com/
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Sor Ynez, a Mexico City-inspired veg-forward restaurant in South Kensington, boasts one of Philly’s most vibrant and spacious outdoor dining and drinking setups, with various tables, greenery, colorful art adorned walls, and of course – quality, authentic Mexican fare from Executive Chef Alex Tellez. Imbibers can enjoy the fan-favorite happy hour al fresco which features small bites including Pescado Dorado, Sikil Pak, Jicama and Mango Callejare, and Queso Frito, in addition to a bevy of craft cocktails and a female owned version of the city wide special, La Gritona & Love City. Take advantage of the elevated happy hour menu from 4 – 6pm Tuesday through Friday.
Hours of operation are Tuesday through Friday from 4 – 9pm, Saturday from 12 – 9pm, and Sunday from 12 – 5pm.
1800 N. American Street | 215-309-2582 | https://sorynez.com/
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Stella of New Hope, located smack in the middle of bustling Main Street overlooking the Delaware River, is the ultimate outdoor imbibing location with a sweeping deck boasting stellar views of the river, the Bucks County Playhouse, and adjacent quaint small town Lambertville, NJ. Guests can enjoy an array of seasonal, refreshing cocktails, wine, and local brews on the expansive deck while taking in the crisp, autumn air and views of fall foliage in New Hope, PA.
Additionally, Stella of New Hope offers an on-site outdoor wood burning fireplace for guests to stay warm and cozy during the autumn season.
Hours of operation: Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday from 4 – 9pm, Friday and Saturday from 4 – 10pm, and weekend brunch on Saturday and Sunday from 11am – 2pm
50 S Main Street | 267.740.2691 | https://www.stellanewhope.com/
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Stratus Rooftop Lounge, the swanky rooftop venue on the 11th floor of the Kimpton Hotel Monaco in Old City, recently reopened after a year’s long hiatus with an all-new cocktail menu courtesy of new Lead Bartender Christopher Devern and light fare from Executive Chef Jonathan Dearden.
The indoor/outdoor lounge features two private pavilions (Mist and Vapor) freshly fitted with posh booth-style seating, an illuminating, expansive bar with a garage-style entrance to the outdoor space, contemporary light fixtures, and a lush “green wall” encompassing the lounge, adding to a thoroughly modern, sexy scene.
Hours of operation: Thursday from 5 pm – 12 am, Friday from 7 pm – 2 am, and Saturday from 8 pm – 2 am.
433 Chestnut Street | 215.925.2889 | https://stratuslounge.com/
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The Twisted Tail, popular Southern-inspired restaurant and bar on Headhouse Square, excels in producing delicious libations including the Champagne Pop, composed of lemon or strawberry popsicle with champagne, the signature Mint Julep, with Maker’s Mark, mint, and sugar, and fall-inspired cocktails such as Honey Apple Sidecar, crafted with Jefferson Bourbon, applejack, honey, lemon, and Cointreau – ideal for sipping outdoors on humidity-free, breezy days this season at the vast streetery located in the heart of Headhouse Square.
509 S. 2nd Street | 215.558.2471 | http://thetwistedtail.com/
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Urban Farmer, Logan Square’s modern American steakhouse, brings variety to their beverage menu with a bevy of hot, chilled, and virgin cocktails, available for sipping on their sweeping outdoor patio – overlooking the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Imbibers can choose from an extensive menu crafted with locally-sourced ingredients featuring Farm Toddy, Mulled Wine, House Martini’s and Manhattans, Seasonal Old Fashioned, and non-alcoholic takes on a Paloma and Moscow Mule.
Hours of operation: Tuesday through Saturday from 4 – 9 pm
1850 Benjamin Franklin Parkway | 215.963.2788 | https://www.urbanfarmersteakhouse.com/philadelphia-happenings/
-Nicole Schofield