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Now that we’re finally on the path to summer, solo strolls and group romps through Philly are on the rise. If you’re in search of a break where you can still smell the flowers, a beer garden makes the perfect stop.
Powered by a growing number of breweries in the city and a still-recovering restaurant industry, the options range from hidden pop-ups in the neighborhoods to tricked-out spaces downtown. Some are on the waterfront, and others are behind restaurants.
As the season begins, here are 14 beer gardens to visit in Philadelphia.
(Note: There will likely be more as the weather continues to warm, and we’ll keep this page updated. Know one we missed? Send us an email.)
Uptown Beer Garden
1500 JFK Blvd.
This outdoor spot from the team behind Tradesman and Finn McCool’s moved last year to a new location across from Love Park. At 18,000 square feet, there’s space for 350 people, including on giant swings or cushioned benches shaded by wood-slat roofs. There’s a full food menu with cheesesteaks, burgers, and salads, plus a dozen drafts and four different frozen cocktail options can fulfill all your adult slushie dreams.
Hours: 4 p.m. till close Monday-Friday; 11 a.m. to close Saturday-Sunday
Chinatown Beer Garden
212 N. 11th St.
With lights hanging from the rafters and green turf on the ground, this al fresco spot in the middle of Chinatown has a solid collection of beers imported from Japan, China, Thailand, and South Korea, plus sake bombs and matcha cocktails. There’s also a food menu that includes everything from fries and cheesesteak egg rolls to edamame and dim sum.
Hours: 4 p.m. to midnight, Thursday-Sunday
Love City Gardens
1023 Hamilton St.
The Callowhill brewery has used its next-door parking lot for events before, but now — thanks to a partnership with Arts & Crafts Holdings, — it’s operating a true garden in the gravel-filled space across the street. The menu features plenty of Love City’s beer brewed on site, plus cocktails like a pink peppercorn gimlet, and a handful of snacks.
Hours: 4 to 10 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 4 p.m. to midnight, Friday; noon to midnight, Saturday; noon to 8 p.m. Sunday
Cherry Street Pier
121 N. Columbus Blvd.
This renovated pier on the Delaware waterfront hosts everything from flea markets to art exhibitions to film screenings, and at the far end — with great river views — is a spot to sit and sip. Run by FCM Hospitality (of nearby Morgan’s Pier and Liberty Point), the menu includes local beers, plus wine and cocktails, alongside sandwiches and other snacks. Open Wednesday through Sunday.
Hours: 4 to 10 p.m. Wednesday-Friday; noon to 10 p.m. Saturday; noon to 9 p.m. Sunday
Spruce Street Harbor Park
301 S. Christopher Columbus Blvd.
This seasonal park with hammocks and games along the Delaware River offers boardwalk-style food to grab and go, and on weekends there’s a sit-down area serving beer and cocktails. Any day of the week you can head out onto the Barge Bar Oasis, where a 21+ area offers cocktails as you float on the water.
Beer garden Hours: 5 to 11 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday
Park/Oasis Hours: 5 to 11 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 5 p.m. to midnight, Friday; 11 a.m. to midnight, Saturday; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday (vendors close 30 mins before park hours end)
PHS Pop Up South Street
1438 South St.
One of the first orgs to open a standalone Philly beer garden in the 2010s, the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society takes the second part of the equation to the next level. More than half a dozen kinds of plants and flowers are growing across and around the gravel-covered lot, making South Street West feel like a true oasis. On the drink side, draft beer, wine, seltzer, and sangria, plus frozen drinks billed as “Adult Water Ice.” There are burgers (including plant-based) and snacks to go along, and all can be ordered and paid for via your phone. Bonus: Pets on leashes are allowed.
Hours: 5 to 10 p.m. Monday-Wednesday; 5 to 11 p.m. Thursday; noon to midnight, Friday-Saturday; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday
PHS Pop Up Manayunk
106 Jamestown Ave.
Like its sister site above, but with a different set of plants and a full-on tiki theme, this spot offers picnic tables and benches a block from the canal. There are frozen daiquiris and flavored shot sticks to complement the beer and wine lists, and a robust food menu with lots of plant-based options.
Hours: 5 to 10 p.m. Monday-Wednesday; 5 to 11 p.m. Thursday; noon to midnight, Friday-Saturday; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday
Fair Chance Beer Garden at Eastern State
2027 Fairmount Ave.
The former prison is entering its second year in the biergarten biz with a pop-up in the yard behind its high stone walls. Run in partnership with Triple Bottom Brewing, and offering plenty of the Philly-made beer, the garden at the penitentiary-turned-museum is staffed with formerly incarcerated people. It’s open to members or guests who pay admission for Eastern State’s night tours, available Thursdays through Sundays.
Cannstatter Volksfest Verein
9130 Academy Rd.
One of the oldest German-American clubs in Philadelphia has for decades run this huge outdoor oasis in Torresdale, offering Northeast Philly a place to drink beer outside. There’s a menu of brats, snacks, and funnel cakes, plus changing live entertainment and a family-friendly atmosphere. Buy a mug and get discounted refills.
Hours: 5 to 10 p.m. Fridays and select Saturdays
New Liberty Distillery Cocktail Garden
1431 N. Cadwallader St.
If beer isn’t your thing, fret not. Kensington’s New Liberty Distillery focuses on the production of Pennsylvania rye whiskey, but also makes other whiskeys and spirits. Fittingly, the outdoor drinking area is a cocktail garden, opening on May 12 for its first full season. If the drinks on offer are anything like the tasting menu options, there are plenty of boozy bevs fit for the summer.
Hours pending
Parks on Tap
Location varies
A collaboration between the Department of Parks and Recreation and FCM Hospitality, which appears in different city parks throughout the summer. A portion of the proceeds goes towards the department, which have made trail maintenance, tree plantings, free music and movie programs, and more possible. This year’s locations and menu has yet to be revealed, but will be announced in the coming weeks.
Independence Beer Garden
100 S. Independence Mall West
Clocking in at 20,000 square feet, with 40 beers on tap, this Michael Schulson venue across from the Liberty Bell is a central meeting place downtown. There’s an extensive food and drink menu, and happy hour deals from 3 to 7 p.m. Open Wednesday through Sunday.
Chestnut Hill Brewing Beer Garden
8221 Germantown Ave.
The patio space behind this Germantown Avenue taproom offers bar seating, regular tables, or comfy seats around firepits. Wood-fired pizzas, salads, sandwiches and snacks are available to go with the housemade beers, and there’s an assortment of local wine and drinks with local spirits.
Hours: 4 to 9 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday; 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday-Saturday; 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday
Pennsport Beer Boutique
242 Wharton St.
This South Philly bottle shop features 500 different beers and hard seltzers, so you can opt for any of those at the table outside. Not into pre-packaged? try something from the draft list, or choose from a selection of a half-dozen frozen drinks. Food comes from Charlie’s Roast Pork, the connected restaurant next door.
Hours: noon to 11 p.m. Monday-Thursday; noon to midnight, Friday-Saturday; noon to 10 p.m. Sunday
La Peg
140 N. Columbus Blvd.
The brasserie at the FringeArts headquarters across the street from the Delaware River has a multilevel outdoor space in the shadow of the Ben Franklin Bridge. Drinks include a Venetian Spritz on tap, a couple Evil Genius IPAs, ciders, and an extensive whiskey menu. Pair it with French-inspired meat and cheese plates or go all-American with burgers or a chicken-fried ribeye.
Hours: 4 p.m. to close Wednesday-Sunday
