Spend this Thursday evening drinking alfresco at one of the city’s awesome beer gardens, including Independence Beer Garden, pictured above. (Photo by M. Fischetti for Visit Philadelphia)
Summer in the city means frequent visits to open-air parks and beer gardens to enjoy the warm weather and in Philadelphia, we can’t get enough of awesome pop-up parks and beer gardens.
Seasonal parks and pop-up beer gardens have more momentum than ever, as evidenced by Spruce Street Harbor Park, which is opening a full month earlier than last year; the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s Pop-Up Garden, which will debut three beer gardens instead of one this summer; and more and more pop-ups like Frankford Pause and the Point Breeze Pop-Up joining the beer garden party.
These quintessential seasonal hangouts of the summer promise everything from steins of German beer and backyard barbecue-style eats to boardwalk games and hammocks for waterfront lounging — so there’s really something for everyone.
Read on for our guide to this summer’s seasonal parks and beer gardens.
SEASONAL PARKS AND POP-UP BEER GARDENS
Visit Philly Beer Garden Series
Fridays, Memorial Day-Labor Day, Except July 3.
Exciting news: The Visit Philly Beer Garden Series will return to the city’s great beer gardens every Friday this summer from Memorial Day through Labor Day (with the exception of Friday, July 3). This year, the series will take up residency at a handful of the city's largest beer gardens that are activating cool public spaces. Launching on Friday, May 22 at Spruce Street Harbor Park, the pop-up happy hours will run from 5 to 8 p.m. and include specials on food and local craft beer, as well as giveaways and social ops from the Visit Philly team. The beer garden series will stay put at Spruce Street Harbor Park until July 10 (with the exception of July 3) when The Oval returns for its summer season. Once The Oval opens, the series will head to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway on Fridays from July 17 through August 23. MORE INFO
This year, the Visit Philly Beer Garden Series will take residency at Spruce Street Harbor Park for the first half of the summer and The Oval for the second half. (Photo by M. Fischetti for Visit Philadelphia)
Spruce Street Harbor Park
Opening for the season on May 22.
After making a splash last year, Spruce Street Harbor Park returns for its second season with more food to enjoy, more hammocks to lounge in and more waterfront summer fun than ever. Although not officially dubbed a beer garden, the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation’s new Spruce Street Harbor Park boasts all of the essential elements for beer-garden revelry: ample outdoor seating, local beer offerings and higher-end grab-and-go food available from a cargo container. A few highlights at this year’s Spruce Street Harbor Park include: a pop-up Chifa restaurant, Distrito Taco Truck, Port FedNuts (think fried chicken sandwiches from Federal Donuts) and the S.S. Franklin Fountain (ice cream!). Bonus: This is a Visit Philly Beer Garden Series stop. MORE INFO
Enjoy alfresco brews on the Delaware River Waterfront, food from chef Jose Garces, games and more at Spruce Street Harbor Park. (Photo by Matt Stanley courtesy Delaware River Waterfront Corporation)
Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest
Opening for the season on May 22.
For the first time this year, the area that housed this past winter’s Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest will transform into a warm-weather edition with a roller rink, a boathouse-styled Lodge, a play area for kids, food and drink options and summer events throughout the season. Opening Memorial Day weekend, Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest will be free and open to the public daily through the end of September. Guests can look forward to Blue Cross RiverRink, a full-size outdoor roller skating rink, The Lodge, a relaxed summer retreat with food, drinks and plenty of seating and bites from Garces Group and Shane’s Confectionary. MORE INFO
Break out your rollerblades and get ready to hang at a boathouse-style lodge as Blue Cross RIverRink Summerfest debuts on May 22. (Photo courtesy DRWC)
The Oval
6 Weeks From July 15 To August 23
The Oval is a seasonal pop-up outdoor public space that transforms an island of asphalt and surrounding lawns at 24th Street and the Parkway into an eight-acre public space devoted to family-friendly fun. Officially opening for the summer on Wednesday, July 15, the popular pop-up features an on-site beer garden, games and activities and ongoing special events throughout the season. Get a sneak preview of the summer fun with the only-in-Philadelphia exibition Future Sensations from May 30 through June 15. Bonus: This is a Visit Philly Beer Garden Series stop. MORE INFO
The Beer Garden at The Oval is a great spot to grab a beer with friends under the shade of a number of trees.
(Photo by M. Fischetti for Visit Philadelphia)
More beer gardens and pop-up parks below.
PHS Pop-Up Gardens
Opening For The Season Soon
The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society's summer Pop-Up Garden is back and bigger than ever with three — yes, three — pop-up beer gardens in Philadelphia. Located throughout the city, each pop-up garden will feature the PHS notable selection of beer, cocktails, food and greenery, but with its own neighborhood flair. The gardens are reported to be located in three locations — Logan Square (17th and Cherry streets), East Passyunk (9th and Wharton streets) and to last year’s location in Graduate Hospital at 1438 South Street. MORE INFO
The PHS Pop-Up Garden is returning to three different spaces Graduate Hospital, East Passyunk and Logan Square in Philadelphia this summer. (Photo by M. Edlow for Visit Philadelphia)
Center City Sips at Dilworth Park
Wednesdays, June 3-September 2.
Dilworth Park at City Hall hosts a pop-up beer garden on certain days of the week as Rosa Blanca Caf invites those participating in Center City Sips, one of the most popular happy hours of the summer, to the park. MORE INFO
Rosa Blanca Cafe at Dilworth Park is a new go-to spot for those participating in Center City Sips.
(Photo by M. Fischetti for Visit Philadelphia)
Point Breeze Pop-Up
May 16-September 7, Point Breeze and Tasker streets.
Philadelphia’s Point Breeze neighborhood is getting its own pop-up park this summer from the fine folks who run neighborhood favorites South Philadelphia Tap Room (SPTR), American Sardine Bar and Brew. The Point Breeze Pop-Up opens on Saturday, May 16th with SPTR’s 10th annual Wheat Beer Fest featuring more than 35 varieties of beer for just $3 a pint. Throughout the remainder of the season, expect a rotating variety of food trucks and special events through September 7. MORE INFO
A photo posted by South Philadelphia Tap Room (@sptaproom) on
May 2, 2015 at 10:39am PDT
Philly Beer Week Beer Garden at Headhouse Shambles
Five Days, June 1-5.
Philly Beer Week takes residency as the Headhouse Shambles as it debuts its beer garden at the outdoor space. Each night, a differently brewery will be pouring brews for attendees. MORE INFO
A photo posted by Uwishunu Philly (@uwishunu) on
Jun 2, 2014 at 4:56pm PDT
Frankford Pause
Opening For The Season Soon.
Coming soon to Fishtown, Frankford Pause will be brightly coloed pop-up park located underneath the SEPTA El stop at Frankford Avenue and Paul Street. The multi-use space will feature a performance stage, lawn area and vegetable garden. Designed as an interactive community space, Frankford Pause will be a destination for live music, movies, events and more. Take note: Frankford Pause does not currently have plans to have a beer garden, but it is still sure to be a great spot for summertime hang outs. MORE INFO
A photo posted by Frankford CDC (@frankfordcdc) on
Jan 16, 2015 at 10:23am PST
Porch 2.0
Expected To Open For The Season In June.
The Porch, an outdoor space adjacent to Philadelphia’s 30th Street Station, is getting a major makeover. Expected to open in early summer of 2015, the Porch 2.0 will get a permanent seating area, overhead lighting, dining, a series of landscape upgrades and custom swings to make transform into a seasonal destination. MORE INFO
This summer, the Porch will turn into the Porch 2.0 as it will welcome a number of great upgrades for the season. (Photo by R. Kennedy for Visit Philadelphia)
Festivus Beer Garden at Franklin Square
Four Thursdays — June 18, July 23, August 20, October 24.
Franklin Square is generally known for its family-friendly fun, but the park is turning it up a notch with the return of Festivus, four nights in the summer and fall of outdoor beers from Barren Hill Brewery, food trucks and more. MORE INFO
On select nights this summer, Franklin Square invites in the 21-plus set for beer, food trucks and more. (Photo by R. Kennedy for Visit Philadelphia)
SEASONAL BEER GARDENS AT PERMANENT LOCATIONS
Independence Beer Garen
Now Open For The Season.
Just steps from famed historic attractions including Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, the Independence Beer Garden (IBG) is in its second year of providing an outdoor respite for visitors and Philly residents. With more than 40 beers on tap, oversized games and and extensive menu of summertime favorites, IBG is a comforting and convenient stop while adventuring in the city. MORE INFO
Independence Beer Garden is open and serving beer, backyard barbecue-style fare and more. (Photo by M. Edlow for Visit Philadelphia)
Morgan’s Pier
Now Open For The Season.
One of Philadelphia's most popular summer hotspots, Morgan's Pier is an oasis of craft beer, delicious food and incredible live music on the Delaware River Waterfront. This season the kitchen will be helmed by Top Chef champion Nicholas Elmi, who’s East Passyunk restaurant Laurel is one of the most sought after tables in the city. In addition to great beers on tap, diners can enjoy Elmil’s take on backyard barbecue like peel-and-eat shrimp with togarashi butter and port belly tacos. MORE INFO
Morgan’s Pier is a favorite waterfront spot for outdoor beers, food, music, dancing and more. (Photo by M. Edlow for Visit Philadelphia)
Beer Garden at Memphis Taproom
Now Open For The Season.
Open evenings and weekends, Thursday through Sunday, during the warm weather months, the Memphis Taproom Beer Garden essentially doubles the space of the popular Fishtown hangout. Now in its seventh season, the beer garden features weekly Quizzo, Phillies games projected on the wall and a menu packed with Memphis Taproom’s take on summer favorites including fish and chips, a New England clam roll and the double (hot)dog dare. MORE INFO
A photo posted by @beerg0ggles on
May 7, 2015 at 10:30am PDT
American Sardine Bar
Now Open For The Season.
American Sardine Bar’s popular backyard patio that fronts 18th Street and promises beer events, grill nights and more throughout the warm months. Be sure to pair your outdoor drinks with the $2 namesake sardine sandwich. MORE INFO
A photo posted by American Sardine Bar (@americansardine) on
May 12, 2015 at 3:53pm PDT
La Peg at FringeArts
Now Open For The Season.
La Peg at FringeArts celebrates the warm weather with the first full summer for its outdoor beer garden, which just opened in early May. The beer garden promises plenty of space for outdoor drinking and even some live open-air performances on certain nights. MORE INFO
Take in sweeping views of the Ben Franklin Bridge with a craft beer in hand at the beer garden at La Peg.
(Photo by Peggy Baud-Woolsey courtesy La Peg)
Beer Garden at Fergie’s Pub
Opening For The Season On May 20.
Fergie’s beer garden is returning for its second year of alfresco fun. The pop-up beer garden next to the long-standing neighborhood Irish pub will feature a handful of picnic tables draughts, canned beer, spiked drinks and wine. MORE INFO
A photo posted by Uwishunu Philly (@uwishunu) on
Jul 16, 2014 at 9:25pm PDT
Drury Beer Garden at Opa
Now Open For The Season.
Nestled between pedestrian thoroughfares, Sansom Street and 13th Street, Opa's Drury Beer Garden is an ever-popular spot featuring overhead twinkle lights, game nights, food, beer and more. Play games like jenga, connect four and ping pong with a craft beer in hand. MORE INFO
A photo posted by Opa Philadelphia (@opaphiladelphia) on
May 17, 2014 at 3:29pm PDT
Manayunk Brewing Company
Now Open For The Season.
Situated on elevated backyard deck that overlooks the Schuylkill River, guests can enjoy alfresco brews at Manayunk Brewery. The sprawling outdoor deck boasts amazing views of the Schuylkill River and the brewery promises a variety of beers brewed on-site. MORE INFO
The expansive deck at Manayunk Brewery and Restaurant is a great place for craft beer from the brewery, food and fun times. (Photo courtesy Manayunk Brewery and Restaurant)
Frankford Hall
Open Year-round.
Located in the heart of Fishtown, Frankford Hall is probably the most authentic-feeling beer garden in Philadelphia, with indoor and outdoor seating for 400+, multiple bars, an abundance of picnic tables, and games ranging from Jenga to ping pong. Classic German foods (think pretzels, bratwurst, curry fries, sauerkraut, schnitzel and spaetzle) plus burgers are available at a walk-up counter, as is a hefty beer menu that includes everything from traditional German beers to craft specialties available on nine taps. The draft beers are served by the litre or 1/2 litre, and yes, the giant 1-litre beer stein will be approximately as big as your head. MORE INFO
Frankford Hall is one of the city’s most popular beer gardens with an authentic German feel, liters of beer and fun games to boot.
(Photo courtesy Frankford Hall)