September 29, 2022 — Coffee aficionados can celebrate International Coffee Day (Saturday, October 1) in the Philadelphia area and beyond by paying a visit to cozy cafés or opting for a more booze-forward alternative from chic restaurants and buzz-worthy bars serving up delicious, java-centric cocktails from locales including Forsythia, shops on East Passyunk Avenue, MilkBoy Philly, Char & Stave, New Liberty Distillery, Red Owl Tavern, Rex at The Royal, Art in the Age, and Stella of New Hope.
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PHILADELPHIA AND IT’S ‘BURBS’ HIDDEN GEMS OF COFFEE SHOPS AND SMALLER-SCALE CAFÉS
Art in the Age, Philadelphia’s one-of-a-kind tasting room, home bar supply, and bottle shop, offers Old City espresso fanatics a boost with their expertly brewed espresso beverages served all day during shop hours. Available sippers include single or double shots of espresso ($3), Americanos ($3), iced and hot lattes ($4), as well as cold brew ($3), with modifiers of seasonal syrups available — current offerings include autumnal flavors of Charred Oak and Maple Syrup.
Caffeine is known to bring jitters — For an additional $2 per beverage, folks can dispel any bad vibes by adding The Pathfinder Hemp and Root, a zero-proof elixir made from fermented and distilled hemp, to elevate the flavor of a classic pick-me-up with the spirit’s complex palette of botanical ingredients. Expert mixologists at Art in the Age are stirring up Pathfinder Cold Brew, made with The Pathfinder Hemp and Root, cold brew coffee, and cream and sugar as desired, as well as The Pathfinder E&T, comprised of The Pathfinder Hemp and Root, one shot of espresso, tonic water, and garnished with a lemon wheel.
Hours of operation are 12 – 7pm Tuesday through Thursday, 12 – 8pm Friday and Saturday, and 12 – 6pm Sunday
116 N. 3rd St. Philadelphia PA | 215.922.2600 | www.artintheage.com
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Char & Stave, Ardmore’s newest cafe-by-day and chic cocktail bar-by-night, is the perfect spot to sit, sip and savor caffeine-centric libations on International Coffee Day (and any day when a boost is needed!). Between coffeehouse staples like hot drip coffee using Char & Stave’s very own beans roasted in-house, and favorites like Iced Coffee ($4), Lattes ($4), Cappuccinos ($4), as well as Char & Stave’s signature Bourbon Barrel Aged Espresso ($4), there’s something for every java fanatic to enjoy. The full beverage menu is availableonline here.
In addition to coffee and tea, Char & Stave also offers a robust menu of coffee-themed cocktails and mocktails, available all day: Flagship cocktail offerings include the Ardmore Old Fashioned ($13), made with Bluebird Distilling Four Grain Bourbon, Light Roast Coffee, Angostura & Chicory Pecan Bitters, the
Retail offerings available at Char & Stave include bags of whole/ground coffee beans, including the popular Everyday Blend and Adventure Espresso, as well as Bluebird Distilling spirits and branded merchandise (think tote bags and t-shirts).
Hours of operation: Monday through Thursday 7 am – 11 pm, Friday 7 am – 12 am, Saturday 8 am – 12 am, Sunday 8 am – 11 pm.
21 Rittenhouse Place, Ardmore, PA 19003 | (484) 414-4102 | www.charandstave.com
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East Passyunk Avenue, home to more than 160 independently-owned businesses in South Philadelphia, is a well-known hub for coffee and espresso lovers with various cafés and quaint shops boasting fresh, high-quality espresso including the cozy Crème Brûlée Bistro and Café, Philadelphia-based small batch roastery Rival Bros., corner café boasting vegan-friendly and gluten-free options B2 Café, and neighborhood, mosaic-adorned caffeine bar Black ‘n’ Brew.
Check out the respective businesses’ websites for additional information.
1904 E Passyunk Ave | www.visiteastpassyunk.com/
Check out the respective businesses’ websites for additional information.
1904 E Passyunk Ave | www.visiteastpassyunk.com/
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Rex at The Royal, Philadelphia’s home for elevated Lowcountry fare housed in the historic and newly rejuvenated Royal Theater, boasts an airy, spacious-yet-cozy café space where coffee lovers can sit and sip or take beverages on the go. Whether guests are looking for a morning cup of joe or an afternoon pick-me-up, Rex at The Royal offers a wide variety of artisanal caffeinated beverages spanning everything from drip coffee to cold brew to lattes to cappuccinos and more, all made using Philly local Green Street Coffee, in addition to seasonally rotating homemade syrups (think: lavender, hibiscus, pumpkin spice, and ginger).
Café Hours of Operation: Tuesday through Sunday from 9am – 3pm
1524 South St. | (267) 319-1366 | www.rexphl.com
JAVA-CENTRIC CRAFT COCKTAILS AND SPIRITS FROM PHILADELPHIA (AND BUCKS COUNTY) LOCALES
Forsythia, Old City’s contemporary French bar and restaurant helmed by Chef Christopher Kearse, features a truly unique caffeine-forward delight ready-to-serve right on tap. The signature cocktail, dubbed 3rd Times a Charm ($15), features vodka, chocolate, local Rival Bros.’ Espresso, and ginger for the perfect pick-me-up that is also featured on their highly sought-after happy hour menu for $11, available Wednesday through Friday from 5 – 7pm. A state-of-the-art espresso machine is also boasted for the perfect after-dinner espresso.
Hours of Operation: Dinner Wednesday through Sunday, 5pm—10pm; Happy Hour Wednesday through Friday, 5pm—7pm; Brunch Saturday through Sunday, 10:30am — 2pm.
233 Chestnut St | (215) 644-9395 | https://www.forsythiaphilly.com/about
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MilkBoy Philly, the iconic Philadelphia-based brand consisting of concepts spanning bars, restaurants, live music venues, and a prestigious recording studio, helms an extensive coffee and espresso menu at MilkBoy Philly on 11th and Chestnut Streets. Known for offering service as early as 7am, MilkBoy Philly features a classic Espresso Martini ($15), composed of vanilla vodka, Crème de Cacao, Kahlua, and smooth espresso, and for stout drinkers, a Black Hog Coffee Milk Stout, ($7) enriched with cold-extracted organic Colombian Supremo coffee.
Hours of Operation: Daily from 7am – 2am
1100 Chestnut St | (215) 925-6455 | www.milkboy.tv/chestnut-street
1100 Chestnut St | (215) 925-6455 | www.milkboy.tv/chestnut-street
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New Liberty Distillery, the Philadelphia craft distillery and home to spirit lines including the now-revived heritage Kinsey brand, features a robust bottle shop where guests can sample and purchase spirits. The New Liberty Distillery Heritage Collection and New Liberty whiskeys, spirits-related gifts, and other locally sourced products can be purchased in the retail space, as well as a smooth Liberty Belle Coffee Liqueur ($24.99) perfect for creating at-home espresso martinis. The Liberty Belle Coffee Liqueur is available for purchase in the New Liberty Distillery bottle shop and at Art in the Age, located in Old City.
Bottle Shop Hours of Operation: Monday through Wednesday, 2 – 6pm; Thursday through Saturday 2 – 10pm; and Sunday 1 – 6pm.
1431 Cadwallader St. | (267) 928-4650 | https://newlibertydistillery.com/
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Red Owl Tavern, the contemporary kitchen and bar located across from Independence Hall, boasts an expansive repertoire of tipples thoughtfully curated by Lead Bartender Christopher Devern. Highlights from his most-recent cocktail menu include the Cafe Amor ($15) comprised of Tito’s Vodka, demerara syrup, and of course, espresso, and the Ristretto Boulevardier ($15) features dickel rye, Campari, and sweet vermouth pulled through smooth espresso.
Hours of Operation: Breakfast Monday through Friday, 7:30am – 10:45am; Lunch Monday through Friday, 11:30am – 4:30pm; Dinner Monday through Tuesday, 4:30pm – 9pm; Thursday through Friday, 4:30pm – 10pm; Saturday, 5pm – 10pm, Brunch Saturday, 8am – 4pm; Sunday 8am– 3pm.
433 Chestnut St | (215) 923-2267 | https://redowltavern.com
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Stella of New Hope, Bucks County’s modern American restaurant overlooking the Delaware River, offers a twist on the classic espresso martini available on the after-dinner specialty menu that’s sure to impress coffee fanatics: The Stella Espresso Martini ($16) is crafted with vodka, vanilla, rich white chocolate, and freshly pulled espresso. Guests can sip on the Stella Espresso Martini, which pairs perfectly with desserts such as the Carmelized White Chocolate Cheesecake Mousse ($12), while cozied up to the al fresco fireplace and taking in the unparalleled views of the Delaware River.
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 | www.stellanewhope.com/
-Nicole Schofield