September 30, 2022 – In restaurant news, October is poised to be one bustling month filled with Taco Day festivities, brand-new happy hour destinations, a celebration of Pennsylvania Wine Month, and the final farewell for one of Philadelphia’s leading craft beer bars. We’ve got the scoop on all of the restaurant buzz from Patchwork, Oloroso, The Dutch, CO-OP Restaurant & Bar, Rex at The Royal, Jet Wine Bar, and Devil’s Den below.
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DEVIL’S DEN BIDS FAREWELL WITH ONE FINAL BLOW OUT BLOCK PARTY
The end of an era is here, and Devil’s Den, Philadelphia’s leading craft beer bar, is saying farewell to loyal patrons, fans and neighbors with one celebratory streetside Blow Out Block Party on Sunday, October 2 from 1pm – 7pm, with the street at 11th & Ellsworth blocked to allow for a bevy of fun-filled activities, great beer, food, music, and some of beer maven and Devil’s Den owner Erin Wallace’s favorite causes including WOAR Philadelphia Center Against Sexual Violence and Morris Animal Refuge.
Devil’s Den’s Blow Out Block Party is a heartfelt thank you to the devoted patrons of Devil’s Den, complete with fan-favorite fare such as Duck Fries, Mussels, Mac ‘n’ Cheese, Salmon BLT, and more, available for purchase à la carte, and an extensive selection of domestic and craft beer for imbibers to sip and savor.
Additionally, Bake’n Bacon will operate its food truck in front of Devil’s Den from 3 – 7pm, and DJ Sideswipe will spin vinyl from 4 – 7pm, post-Philadelphia Eagles game which will be shown on the TVs inside of the restaurant.
Devil’s Den will permanently close after service on Sunday, October 9.
1148 S 11th Street | (215) 339-0855 | www.devilsdenphilly.com
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A BEVY OF FRESHLY MINTED HAPPY HOURS IN PHILADELPHIA
Oloroso, Philadelphia’s premier Spanish tapas restaurant in the heart of Center City, is kicking off the fall season with the launch of happy hour service, now available Wednesday through Sunday from 4:30 – 6:30pm in the lower dining room, at the bar, and at outdoor tables. Imbibers and foodies alike can relish in the newly-minted food and beverage offerings while capping off the work day or snagging some pre-dinner snacks and sips.
The brand-new happy hour selection includes a complimentary tapas of the day with purchase of first cocktail, wine, or beer — a nod to traditional Spanish culture where in certain cities in Spain, one would receive a small plate accompanied by their beverage of choice. Libations featured during happy hour are subject to rotate frequently and currently consist of Xixarito Sherry and Micaela Sherry ($6), La Hora de Vermouth ($7), Cigar City Jai Alai IPA ($5), La Nevera (white/red/rosé) ($8), and House Rojo Sangria ($7).
Executive Chef Jason Peabody has curated an ever-evolving collection seasonal tapas priced at just $7 during happy hour, with offerings including (but not limited to) Patatas Bravas, Ham & Cheese Croqueta, and Melon Gazpacho.
1121 Walnut Street | (267) 324-3014 | www.olorosophl.com/
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CO-OP Restaurant & Bar, a contemporary, bright, and airy restaurant in The Study Hotel, smack between the University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University, is the newest in a string of Philadelphia-based restaurants offering weekday happy hour with the launch of happy hour service available Monday through Friday from 4 – 5:30pm. Featured boozy beverages include select draft beer ($5), house red or white wine ($6), Downeast Cider ($6), seasonal sangria ($7), and a rotating cocktail of the day ($7), while small plates curated by Executive Chef Kyle Berman include CO-OP Popcorn Party Mix ($5), Blistered Shishito Peppers with lemon vinaigrette ($6), and Green Garlic Hush Puppies with tarragon mayo ($7).
20 S 33rd Street | (215) 398-1874 | www.coopphilly.com
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The Dutch, the popular breakfast, lunch and dinner eatery with a focus on reinventing the Pennsylvania Dutch classics, has debuted an all-new happy hour complete with signature dishes, craft cocktails, brews, and wines.
Fans of the much-loved South Philadelphia establishment can enjoy a rotating happy hour menu of bites and beverages on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays from 5 – 7pm, with Chefs Lee Styer and Kevin Waters spearheading the food offerings while General Manager Adam Judeh curates the selection of libations.
Highlights include a selection of local brews ($5), bartender’s choice cocktail ($6), and house wine (red, white, and sparkling) ($7), plus fan-favorite dishes including Chow Chow Pickles & House-Cut Fries ($5), Fond’s Chicken Liver Mousse ($7), Cheesesteak Tater Tots ($7), Country-Style Paté ($7), and Dutch Queso Dip ($7).
1537 S 11th Street | 215.551.5000 | www.thedutchphilly.com
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The bar and culinary teams at Rex at The Royal, Philadelphia’s home for elevated Lowcountry fare housed in the historic and newly rejuvenated Royal Theater, are thrilled to announce the official launch of happy hour for the first time since transitioning from the old REX 1516 location! Effective immediately, every Monday through Thursday from 5 – 6pm and 9 – 10pm, as well as on Sundays during the entire dinner service from 5 – 9pm, happy hour-goers are invited to indulge in discounted wine, beer, and the restaurant’s crowd-pleasing cocktails developed by Beverage Manager Joshua Scheid such as the signature Deep South, as well as exquisite bites including the Rex Burger, an artfully plated Petite Cheese Plate, Chef’s Choice Oysters, and more, all courtesy of Executive Chef Aaron Paik.
Happy hour libations include Deep South ($8) crafted with vodka, Rooibos Tea, salted honey, lemon, bitters, and vanilla, and This Is A Garden ($8) composed of flower + herb infused gin, Lillet Blanc, Prosecco, blackberries, and cucumber. Snacks include Petite Cheese Plate ($8), Chef’s Choice Oysters ($10), a rotating selection of Broiled, Grilled, or Stuffed Oysters, Cornmeal Dusted Okra & Shishitos ($5) with espelette and spicy vegan aioli, and Rex Burger ($15), an all-beef burger topped with crispy red onions, spicy pimento cheese, bibb lettuce, and smoked bacon, served on a brioche bun.
1524 South Street | (267) 319-1366 | www.rexphl.com
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JET WINE BAR TOASTS PENNSYLVANIA WINE MONTH WITH WEEKLY “MEET THE MAKER” HAPPY HOURS
Jet Wine Bar, Philadelphia’s “global vineyard” and South Street’s urban oasis, is kicking off Pennsylvania Wine Month this October by highlighting local wineries through a series of Meet the Maker Happy Hours, held every Thursday in October from 5 – 8pm. Wine connoisseurs can indulge in flights and bites as well as sip on Jet Wine Bar’s signature wine flights after each event (or until wines are sold out).
In the foliage-filled garden space adjacent to Jet Wine Bar, surrounded by greenery and the mural-clad walls, guests can sip a bevy of wines from across the Keystone State and meet the folks who bring the delicious libation from grape to glass. The spotlighted makers will include those from hyper-local wineries like Mural City Cellars in Kensington to Mazza Vineyards from Erie, Pennsylvania to 1723 Vineyards in Landenberg, Pennsylvania. All events are first come, first served and pay-as-you-go.
See below for a list of local wineries who will be popping up at Jet Wine Bar throughout the month of October.
Thursday, October 6
- To kick off Pennsylvania Wine Month, Jet Wine Bar will be hosting an evening showcasing five premier local wineries: Karamoor Estates, Stony Run, Mazza Vineyards, 1723 Vineyards, and Mural City Cellars. Flights of five wines, featuring one from each winery, are available ($29).
Thursday, October 13
- Mural City Cellars is a Kensington winery that sources local grapes from small farms to create wines with minimal intervention. The winery will offer several options for guests, including the Mural City Cellar Flight, with CSW White, Rosé, and Red ($20), Mural City Cellar’s Taso Chardonnay by the bottle ($60), and a special glass pour of Mural City Cellar’s Summer Vermouth for ($15).
Thursday, October 20
- Mazza Vineyards, hailing from Erie, Pennsylvania, is a family-owned winery that has been around since 1972. During Mazza’s pop up at Jet Wine Bar, folks can taste a bevy of offerings from their ever-expanding collection including the Pinot Grigio ($10), L’Anima Rosé ($12), Traminette ($10), or a flight of all three options ($15).
Thursday, October 27
- Located in Landenberg, Pennsylvania, 1723 Vineyards is owned by fifth-generation farmers from the mid-west who have a passion for great wine. Offerings served at Jet Wine Bar will include Chardonel ($15), Cabernet Franc Rosé ($15), Cabernet Franc ($15), or a flight of all three options ($20).
1525 South Street | (215) 735-1116 | www.jetwinebar.com
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PATCHWORK CELEBRATES NATIONAL TACO DAY WITH 5-HOUR TACO + MARG HAPPY HOUR
When National Taco Day falls on Taco Tuesday, there’s only one way to celebrate: a five-hour long taco and margarita happy hour at Patchwork Restaurant & Bar, a modern American restaurant helmed by Executive Chef Jonathan Dearden on the second-floor of Hyatt Centric Center City.
This Tuesday, October 4 from 4-9 pm, Chef Dearden will be offering a trio of tacos, Pork Belly, Fried Shrimp and Black Bean for $4 each à la carte or $16 for the flight which includes three tacos and one margarita. Guests can pair their tacos with a Tommy’s Margarita, boasting Blanco Tequila, lime and agave for only $6 each.
The tacos and margaritas will be available at Patchwork’s beautiful bar, in the dining room or on the second-story patio overlooking 17th Street, weather pending.
1620 Chancellor Street, 2nd Floor of Hyatt Centric Center City Philadelphia | (215) 985-1234 | www.patchworkphilly.com
-Nicole Schofield