March is Women’s History Month — a time to celebrate the women redefining Philadelphia’s culinary, beverage, and hospitality scenes. From visionary chefs and restaurateurs to distillers, brewery founders, and hotel owners, women are leading with creativity, expertise, and innovation. Across the region, a spotlight shines on those shaping the city’s food and drink culture and elevating its hospitality experiences: From leaders dedicated to mentorship and community impact at Restaurant Aleksandar, Dock Street Brewery, The Twisted Tail, and Ghost Light Inn, to charitable cocktails and seasonal desserts at Alice, Fond, Red Owl Tavern, and Stratus Rooftop Lounge, and guided historical tours at Kimpton Hotel Palomar Philadelphia, raise a toast this March to women powering communities throughout Philadelphia and beyond.
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CHARITABLE OFFERINGS + BADASS WOMEN’S HISTORY TOUR
Alice, the seasonal American restaurant in the heart of the Italian Market, will spotlight a purpose-driven dessert benefiting Women Against Abuse. Throughout the month, 15% of proceeds from the Blood Orange Bundt Cake, paired with salty caramel and French vanilla ice cream, will be donated to the Philadelphia-based nonprofit, which provides life-saving services, advocacy, and resources for survivors of domestic violence. The limited-time offering invites guests to support an essential community organization through a seasonal dessert rooted in both flavor and impact.
Hours of operation: Tuesday – Thursday 5:00pm – 10:00pm; Friday – Saturday 5:00pm – 11:00pm; Sunday 5:00pm – 10:00pm
901 Christian Street, Philadelphia, PA | 215.798.6766 | Website Instagram Facebook
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Kimpton Hotel Palomar Philadelphia, Philadelphia’s stylish boutique hotel located just steps from Rittenhouse Square, is highlighting a new partnership with Beyond the Bell Tours this Women’s History Month. The collaboration offers guests a meaningful opportunity to connect with the city’s past through the Badass Women’s History Tour. Hotel guests and groups can redeem an exclusive 10% discount using a unique promo code, available at booking or check-in. The guided experience follows the stories of the entrepreneurs, doctors, politicians, artists, and activists who helped shape Philadelphia, spotlighting powerful and often untold narratives.
Tours are offered daily at 11am and are priced at $59 per person.
117 S 17th Street, Philadelphia, PA | Website Instagram Facebook
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Red Owl Tavern, the contemporary kitchen and bar, and Stratus Rooftop Lounge, the chic rooftop venue, both located within Kimpton Hotel Monaco Philadelphia overlooking Independence Hall, are marking Women’s History Month with a shared charitable cocktail offering. Throughout the month, both venues will feature In the Garden ($16), made with Hendrick’s Gin, limoncello, basil, and honey, served in a martini glass and garnished with a lemon wheel and basil leaf.
A portion of proceeds from each cocktail sold will be donated to Sisterly Love Collective, an organization dedicated to advancing women in the food and hospitality industry through networking, mentorship, and community support.
Red Owl Tavern | 433 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia PA | 215.923.2267 | Website Instagram Facebook
Stratus Rooftop Lounge | 433 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia PA | 215.925.2889 | Website Instagram Facebook
CELEBRATE LOCAL WOMEN IN KITCHENS, BEVERAGE & HOTELS
Chef Jessie Prawlucki-Styer, co-owner of Fond and the chef behind its pastry program, plays an integral role in shaping the restaurant’s refined, contemporary French BYOB alongside her husband, Chef Lee Styer. From its origins on East Passyunk Avenue to its current home in Wallingford, her creativity, technical precision, and commitment to seasonality have helped define Fond as an intimate dining destination, with many ingredients sourced directly from the couple’s farm in Media. This Women’s History Month, Chef Jessie is recognized as an entrepreneur and leader whose vision and dedication continue to shape and elevate the region’s culinary landscape.
Her current seasonal dessert offerings highlight both classical technique and bright winter flavors, including a Citrus Crème Brûlée with Meyer lemon curd cannoli, grapefruit meringue, and pomegranate; a Salted Caramel Cheesecake ($13) layered with pistachio cream, buttery shortbread, and sour cherry coulis; and Hazelnut Chocolate Mousse ($13) featuring mocha ganache, whipped vanilla mascarpone, and a cocoa crumble.
Hours of operation: Wednesday through Sunday from 5pm – 9pm.
21 N Providence Road, Wallingford PA | 484.445.2108 | Website Instagram
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Dock Street Brewery, Philadelphia’s first and one of America’s original craft breweries is powered by a formidable mother-daughter duo: Rosemarie Certo and Renata Vesey. Co-founded in 1985 by Rosemarie, who remains owner and president, Dock Street played a formative role in the early craft beer movement. Born in Sicily to a family of olive oil producers and vintners, Rosemarie emigrated to the U.S. at ten and later drew on her artisanal roots to become one of the first female leaders in a largely male-dominated industry. Her daughter, Renata Vesey, has grown up alongside the brewery and now serves as Creative Director, leading marketing, branding, business development, and social media. From cutting growler labels as a child to bartending, sales, and event coordination, Renata has contributed to the brewery’s growth at every level, helping maintain Dock Street’s legacy as a Philadelphia craft beer institution.
Hours of operation for Dock Street South: Tuesday 11am – 9pm; Wednesday and Thursday 11am – 10pm; Friday 11am – 11pm; Saturday 10am-11pm; Sunday 10am – 9pm
Dock Street South | 2118 Washington Avenue, Philadelphia PA | 215.284.0345 | Website | Instagram | Facebook | X
Dock Street Fishtown | 1229 N. Front Street, Philadelphia PA | 215.284.0345 | Website | Instagram | Facebook
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Restaurant Aleksandar, located in the heart of Rittenhouse Square, is helmed by Executive Chef Svetlana Alimpijevic, a defining voice in Philadelphia’s Eastern European culinary scene. With more than 20 years of experience, Svetlana began her culinary journey in Vienna, inspired by her mother’s work in the industry, and later refined her craft running her own restaurant in Germany. Her cooking blends tradition with subtle Italian influence, transforming simple ingredients into deeply memorable dishes — including her beloved Paprikash.
A passionate advocate for zero food waste, Svetlana uses every peel, stem, and scrap with intention. Beyond the kitchen, she is a multifaceted creative whose artwork, once exhibited with the American Red Cross in Germany, now adorns the walls of Restaurant Aleksandar. This Women’s History Month, she is recognized for her creativity, leadership, and lasting impact on Philadelphia’s dining scene.
Hours of Operation: Dinner Tues-Thurs | 5-9pm; Dinner Fri & Sat | 5-10pm; Brunch/Lunch Sat & Sun | 11-3pm; HH Tues-Sat | 4:30-7pm; Late Night HH, every Friday 9-11pm
126 S. 19th Street, Philadelphia PA | 215. 279.7738 | Website Instagram Facebook
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Stella of New Hope, Ghost Light Inn, and Carriage House of New Hope form a thriving collection of boutique properties at the heart of New Hope, Pennsylvania, proudly owned by Sherri Daugherty. After relocating from Detroit, Michigan, Sherri set out to make a lasting impact on her new community. Her journey began in 2016 with the Carriage House of New Hope, a charming three-room boutique hotel. Three years later, she expanded her vision with the Ghost Light Inn, a 12-room luxury boutique hotel offering unparalleled riverfront views.
The Ghost Light Inn is also home to its signature restaurant, Stella of New Hope, named in honor of Sherri’s beloved one-eared rescue dog, Stella. The restaurant highlights seasonal, locally sourced ingredients from the region’s finest farmers and food artisans, with menus that evolve alongside the seasons, reflecting Sherri’s dedication to hospitality, community, and culinary excellence.
To book a stay at Ghost Light Inn or Carriage House of New Hope, click here, or make a reservation at Stella of New Hope via OpenTable.
50 S Main Street, New Hope PA | 267.740.2691 | Website Instagram Facebook
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The Twisted Tail in Headhouse Square is co-owned and operated by Codi Reilly, who leads one of Philadelphia’s most vibrant destinations for food, whiskey, and live music. Raised by a mother and aunt who were both restaurant owners, Codi grew up surrounded by strong female leadership in hospitality — an influence that shaped her career path. Her journey into whiskey developed naturally through her work at The Twisted Tail, home to a thoughtfully curated collection with a focus on American whiskeys. Immersive tastings, conversations with distillers, and visits to distilleries across the country transformed professional curiosity into a lasting passion. Codi is dedicated to sharing the craftsmanship and stories behind each bottle, connecting exceptional producers with guests, one pour at a time.
Hours of operation: Monday – Thursday 4 pm – 10 pm; Friday 4 pm – 12 am; Saturday 11 am – 12 am; Sunday 10 am – 10 pm
509 S. 2nd Street, Philadelphia PA | 215.558.2471 | Website Instagram Facebook X
