The pop-up phenomenon is taking foot in Philadelphia’s bars in a big way in the days and weeks ahead. Each one-night-only eating and drinking engagement brings guest chefs to some of our favorite neighborhood watering holes to cook and serve exciting, fun and in some instances, far out culinary creations. Here are a handful of notable ones on the immediate horizon that we believe are well worth checking out.

Aldine Preview
Mon., March 24, 6 - 9 PM
Cheu Noodle Bar (255 S 10th St.; 267-639-4136)
George and Jen Sabatino are previewing some of the menu items they’re working on for their forthcoming Center City restaurant Aldine. With limited seatings at 6, 7, 8 and 9 PM, reservations are a must. The four-course sneak-peek costs $55 per person and will include rabbit rilletes with rhubarb, turnip and preserved lemon; Spanish mackerel with hearts of palm, konbu and mushroom; and lamb loin with peas, sprouted grains and chenna dumpling. Drinks are pay-as-you-go.

Dinner with Pat Cancelliere
Wed., March 26, 7 - 10 PM
Tap Room on 19th (2400 S. 19th St.; 267-687-7817)
Tap Room on 19th will host Pat Cancelliere for a one-night-only dinner that will feature crowd-favorites from his dearly-departed Italian Market BYOB, 943. Seatings start at 7 PM, and the $65 ticket ($85 with optional beverage pairing) covers a six-course spread that includes grilled pulpo with saffron, fava, and fennel; empanadas; and parrillada juani, a mixed grill with chorizo, blood sausage, short rib, skirt and strip steak. Seat are limited. Make reservations here.

David Ansill and Scott Schroeder Chef Collaboration Dinner
Thurs., March 27, 6 PM
Bar Ferdinand (1030 N. 2nd St.; 215-923-1313)
Bar Ferdinand chef David Ansill continues his ongoing Chef Collaboration dinner series on Thursday, March 27, when he welcomes Scott Schroeder, the always affable and much-admired chef at South Philadelphia Taproom and American Sardine Bar. Open seatings for the $55, six-course prix fixe begin at 6 PM. The joint culinary expedition will give guests a taste of some of both of the chefs’ favorite dishes. Menu highlights include smoked pork with spicy greens; grilled bluefish with olives and housemade pickles; and a tapas trio of marinated sardines, warm pigs head terrine, and oil poached potato with celery.

Fishtown Taco Exchange
Mon., March 24, 9 PM - Midnight
Sancho Pistola's (19 W. Girard Ave.; 267-324-3530)
The still new Girard Avenue offshoot of Center City’s venerable Jose Pistola’s is bringing in Chef Christopher Kearse from East Passyunk’s Will BYOB to help kick off its monthly Fishtown Taco Exchange Program. Kearse, and every chef after him that gets invited to the exchange, will cook up imaginative takes on tacos in collaboration with Sancho chef Adan Trinidad. For the maiden voyage, they’re serving grilled lamb's tongue tacos with coleslaw and carrot barbecue sauce.Two tacos will go for $13.

Nick Elmi and Laurel at The Garage
The Garage (1231-1233 E Passyunk Ave.)
Mon., April 7, 6 - 10 PM
Newly anointed Top Chef champ Nick Elmi is bringing the crew from his reservation-impossible (at least until June) East Passyunk BYOB, Laurel, for a one-night-only pop-up in The Garage’s food cart. There’s no word yet on what’s being served. But if Elmi’s cooking is good enough to win over the Top Chef judges, it’s pretty much a given that whatever’s on the menu it’s going to go well with crushing cans of beer.

Photo: Courtesy Bar Ferdinand