Tria Taproom
Its sister Cafes are perhaps better known for their wine, but trust us, there's no shortage of other beverage options at Tria Taproom. Located not far from Rittenhouse Square, this sleek, intimate space offers over 40 taps dispensing a wide range of local and craft beers, ciders, and wines, ensuring every glass is as fresh as possible — no bottles allowed. And should you find yourself looking for a snack to pair with your drink(s), it also offers a menu of small bites, wood-grilled flatbreads, and cheeses.
Opa
If your knowledge of Greek cuisine stops somewhere between gyros and hummus, it's time to expand your horizons — and Opa is an ideal place to start. This Midtown Village eatery offers updated, modern takes on traditional Greek cuisine, including fried kalamari, lentil soup, horiatiki, pastitsio, and lamb shank. The restaurant also offers a reasonable selection of wines, local craft and imported beers, and tasty cocktails — including a Greek take on a margarita. Feel like having another after dinner? Head out to their Drury Beer Garden and continue the evening.
P's & Q's
It doesn't matter if you plan to mind your P's & Q's or not — you'll want to make a visit to the South Street emporium of the same name. Family owned and operated, this well-designed shop offers a selection of hand-picked goods that exude quality and style. Labels including Baldwin, Gant Rugger, Naked and Famous, New Balance, Pendleton, Patagonia, Tretorn, Power House, and Taschen fill the shelves, encompassing everything from shirts and denim to shoes, accessories, and books. Whether you live in the area or are just stopping by, it's worth a visit.
2B Groomed Studios
When your barbershop has a happy hour, you know you're getting your hair cut at the right place. 2B Groomed Studios is Philly's upscale grooming option, with a rich interior of marble and cherry furniture, and list of services that includes standard clipper cuts, razor cuts, facials, and shaves. The service is always top-notch, but gets even better Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, when your cut or shave comes with a complimentary cocktail made from a selection of Johnny Walker, Remy Martin, Chambord, Macallan 12 and Crown Royal.
Ray's Happy Birthday Bar
Yes, that's its actual name — the owner's father and founder greeted every customer with a "Happy Birthday!" Yes, it's a dive. And yes, it's a true South Philly classic. Unpretentious in the best possible way, Ray's Happy Birthday Bar is a lovable hole-in-the-wall offers dirt-cheap beer and (strong) drinks, live music/open mic/karaoke in a back room, and a photo-covered interior that provides a glimpse into past visitors. Yes, it's super-smoky, but after a couple of beers and a free shot (if it happens to be your birthday), you likely won't care.
Osteria
Some places focus on homemade pasta. Some on wood-fired pizzas. And some others on grilled meats. At Osteria, you can get all three. Opened in 2007, this Fairmount spot features an airy, industrial interior design and stellar Italian food. The menu changes seasonally, but always offers fresh takes on classic recipes using the three elements mentioned above, and likewise always pairs well with selections from the 100 bottle Italian wine list. To complete the experience, finish offer dinner with a fresh espresso or a fine limoncello.
Pizza Brain
Sounds like a zombie-themed pizza joint, right? Wrong. Pizza Brain is, in fact a museum. The world's first museum dedicated to pizza, boasting the world's largest collection of pizza memorabilia. That means pizza-related toys — think Home Simpson and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles — pizza-related films, pizza-related LP covers, and other ephemera, reaching into the thousands. Of course, they also serve pizza, too — lovingly-made, American-style pies — and if you've got a sweet tooth, there's the perfect compliment: Little Baby's Ice Cream, housed in the back of the museum. [Scouted by Ben]
Emmanuelle
What are you really looking for when you head out to bar? Fine drinks, and fine people? If so, Emmanuelle has you covered. This relatively new cocktail bar in Northern Liberties mixes high-end libations with an elegant setting. The menu, developed by resident mixologists Phoebe Esmon & Christian Gaal, features a number of classic drinks crafted with choice spirits and house-made mixers, joined by a list of "New Shit That Has Come to Light" — you know we're suckers for a Lebowski reference — or bold original cocktails just begging to be explored.
Prime Stache
Some restaurants serve American cuisine. Prime Stache serves American dishes made using American goods. But the patriotism doesn't end there. Nearly everything in the place, from the flatware to the stools, is sourced in the States, and the owner, Brent Celek, plays in a little American sports league known as the NFL. The menu includes smart takes on classics like mac and cheese, burgers, grilled cheese, steaks, meatloaf, and steaks, as well as a list of cocktails, craft beers (on tap and in the bottle), and wines that is sure to please any red-blooded citizen.
The Rittenhouse Hotel
Ideal, historic location? Check. Modern amenities? Check. We could keep going, but the fact is there aren't many boxes The Rittenhouse Hotel can't check off. Set on historic Rittenhouse Square Park, this upscale hotel offers a range of rooms and suites, all measuring 400 square feet or more. Also on-site is the award-winning Lacroix restaurant, the Mary Cassatt Tearoom and Garden, a well-appointed bar, the Philadelphia outpost of Smith & Wollensky steakhouse, and a spa, salon, and health club, complete with an oversized indoor pool and outdoor sundeck.
The Roots Picnic
Younger fans might know them best as Jimmy Fallon's band, but to old-school hip-hop fans, you just know them as The Roots. This summer, you can catch them live — sans their Late Night pal — at The Roots Picnic. In its sixth year, this one-day festival — held at Festival Pier — will also feature performances from Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Trinidad Jame$, The Gaslamp Killer, Solange, Naughty by Nature (!), and many more. Oh, and the aforementioned hosts. It's going down on June 1; prepare accordingly.
Tequila's
Where better to spend your Cinco de Mayo than a place named after Mexico's national liquor*? Tequila's isn't a shots-and-Tecate kind of place, though — instead, it's one of the best Mexican restaurants around. Led by chef David Suro, this upscale eatery serves up authentic Mexican cuisine, with an emphasis on fresh seafood and plenty of chihuahua cheese. And as you'd expect, they also offer an excellent selection of tequilas, mezcal, and, of course, margaritas.
*We're not really sure if it's their national liquor — or if national liquors even exist — but if they did, Mexico's would so be tequila.
