Best Bars for Outdoor Drinking in Philadelphia, 2023
by
Drink Philly on May 27, 2023 in
Roundups
Photo by Drink Philly
Whether it’s to enjoy the first warm breezes of spring or the unexpected sunshine of a crisp day in fall, Philadelphia is full of great places to drink in the great outdoors. We’ve rounded up our top picks for outdoor bars, sidewalk seating, beer gardens and restaurant patios in the city. Click through to check them out, and bookmark this page so you can be ready whenever the great weather hits.
These are our top picks, but if you think we should add something, hit us up on Facebook or Twitter.
Philadelphia’s largest restaurant offers some of the most spacious outdoor dining and drinking options in the city with gorgeous views of the riverfront. A full selection of cocktails on draft include mules, margaritas, whiskey sours and more with a seafood-forward food menu to pair.
Photo via Liberty Point
Photo via Liberty Point
The huge, open-air courtyard at Stephen Starr’s Fishtown beer hall feels exactly like a traditional German biergarten, from strings of lights to gravel floors to picnic tables and Linden trees. Enjoy ping pong and fire pits as you sip on huge liter mugs of brew from Bavaria and beyond.
Photo by Drink Philly
Photo by Drink Philly
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Now open, this deck on the Delaware offers an unprecedented way to enjoy craft beer and killer cocktails by the water. Two bars and half a dozen seating areas are built right out over the river, and the view of the Ben Franklin Bridge towering overhead can’t be matched.
Photo via Morgan's Pier
Photo via Morgan's Pier
Stop by this wine bar with an extensive selection of organic, natural and even unusual wines from all around the globe. The wine bar features a new and improved garden space just next door with light bites and cheeses to perfectly pair with your wine or wine-forward cocktail like the Jet House Punch (armenian brandy, housemade banana rum, lime).
Photo via Jet Wine Bar
Suraya
One of the city's hottest restaurants, Fishtown's Lebanese spot, Suraya, has an expansive back patio that serves up cocktails and small plates during the warmer months — while you're surrounded with greenery and listening to the fountain, you'll forget you're in Fishtown.
Photo via Suraya
One of the city's hottest restaurants, Fishtown's Lebanese spot, Suraya, has an expansive back patio that serves up cocktails and small plates during the warmer months — while you're surrounded with greenery and listening to the fountain, you'll forget you're in Fishtown.
Photo via Suraya
Tucked away in a secret spot behind Dave & Busters is one of Philly’s newest outdoor spots, overlooking the Ben Franklin bridge. Cocktails are very seasonal and fruit forward like the Oh Black Berry! BAM-A-LAM (Bulleit Rye, Aperol, blackberries, sage, bitters, lemon, iced tea). And don’t worry they also have plenty of canned cocktails and seltzers too, including their own Winston’s Mango Lemonade Seltzer.
Photo via Winston on the Water
Photo via Winston on the Water
Sip in sophistication under awning-covered tables that wrap around this Rittenhouse Parisian bistro – ever since restauranteur Stephen Starr opened this bustling spot in 2008, it's been packed day and night, with diners vying for outside tables that overlook the park itself.
Photo by Parc
Photo by Parc
This rooftop bar, which is open now for the season, is nestled nine stories above the city and offers some of the greatest views of Logan Square and the Parkway. Sip on creative cocktails and enjoy shareable snacks while admiring how beautiful Philly can be.
Photo by Drink Philly
Photo by Drink Philly
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Located on the 11th floor of the Pod Hotel in Center City, El Techo offers a panoramic view of the city along with margaritas, tacos and brunch. Drink menu standouts include their take on the Ranch Water (El Tesoro Blanco, lime, Oaxacan sea salt, Topo Chico sparkling water) as well as an Espresso Martini featuring mole bitters.
Photo by Drink Philly
The incredibly ambitious Spruce Street Harbor Park will once again bring life to Penn’s Landing. The block-and-a-half riverfront park features a bar, food, lily pad water gardens and nets that suspend visitors over the water built on a series of floating barges.
Photo by Spruce Street Harbor Park and Matt Stanley
Touted as Philly’s first Mexi-Cali fusion restaurant, this spot offers both a front and back patio featuring greenery, communal tables, lounge seating and umbrella coverage. Specialty cocktails are automotive themed as a play on being located in a former Jiffy Lube. Unique options include the Ridin Dirty (vodka, shaoxing wine, olive brine, MSG, olives) and the Four on the Floor (rum blend, black coconut tea, lime).
Photo via La Chinesca
Photo via La Chinesca
The Wayward offers a dreamy outdoor escape in the heart of Market East. This french bistrot-inspired restaurant features an extensive gin list, with the option to add various flavors of Fever Tree tonics. The bar also pays homage to the French 75, with four different takes on the classic cocktail, including one featuring vodka instead of gin, honey, lemon, apricot, and bubbles.
Photo via The Wayward
Photo via The Wayward
You’ll think you’ve landed in a fairy tale when you take a seat at a table or the granite bar in the garden patio outside Aimee Olexy and Stephen Starr’s Washington Square restaurant. Water drips daintily from vintage faucet fountains, vines wind up the walls, colorful flowers bloom, and the food and drink are good enough to keep pace with it all.
Photo by Drink Philly
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The PHS Pop-Up Gardens are a staple of Philly's outdoor drinking scene and this year it returns to South Street.
Photo via Visit Philadelphia
This Michael Schulson beer garden returns across from the Liberty Bell and Independence Park. The garden features plenty of local, regional and national taps along with snacks, sandwiches and more to munch on while you sip.
Photo by Neal Santos
This popular Chester County brewery has a Center City taproom located right on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway featuring a massive 3,500 square foot roof deck. The drink menu features the full lineup of Victory beers along with beer and cider their sister brands Southern Tier, Sixpoint and Bold Rock Hard Cider, plus spirits from Southern Tier Distilling.
Photo via Victory Brewing
Photo via Victory Brewing
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Starr Restaurant Group has opened LMNO, their new Baja Mexican concept located in Philadelphia’s Fishtown neighborhood, and features 38 tequilas, 23 Mezcals, and a variety of other unique spirits and cocktails. Take a close look at Drink Philly's profile of LMNO here.
Photo by Drink Philly
Photo by Drink Philly
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This urban oasis is filled with luscious greenery and fairy lights, so grab a table on a warm evening and enjoy this pastoral atmosphere in the heart of Philadelphia alongside craft cocktails, small plates, and more.
Photo via Drink Philly
Photo via Drink Philly
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Philly's traveling charitable beer garden returns and this year's lineup includes stops all over the city (you can find the whole schedule here). Bring the whole family and Fido, too — they're all family and dog friendly.
Photo via Parks on Tap
Photo via Parks on Tap
Royal Boucherie
This Old City brasserie has a hidden outdoor space — head upstairs to their second floor and snag a table on their private patio, with exposed brick walls and overhead lighting, while you snack on fried olives and sip martinis.
Photo by J. Fusco
This Old City brasserie has a hidden outdoor space — head upstairs to their second floor and snag a table on their private patio, with exposed brick walls and overhead lighting, while you snack on fried olives and sip martinis.
Photo by J. Fusco
Tuna Bar
Old City's chic sushi bar opens its floor-to-ceiling windows on nice days, with ample outdoor seating along Race Street under the bridge.
Photo by Drink Philly
Enjoy the full lineup of Love City’s beers, like the perfect-for-summer Lime City Lager at their beer garden located just under the elevated railroad tracks on Hamilton Street. Enjoy a full selection of cocktails as well including the zingy Spicy Paloma (jalapeño infused tequila, pink grapefruit juice, seltzer, salted rim).
Photo via Drink Philly
Photo via Drink Philly
Philadelphia Distilling
Drink outdoors at the first distillery in Pennsylvania to open after Prohibition, where you can order everything from fresh seasonal cocktails to classic gin drinks where Bluecoat Gin itself is made – step out of the gorgeous tasting room and grab a seat on their sunny patio, complete with plenty of seating and outdoor games.
Drink outdoors at the first distillery in Pennsylvania to open after Prohibition, where you can order everything from fresh seasonal cocktails to classic gin drinks where Bluecoat Gin itself is made – step out of the gorgeous tasting room and grab a seat on their sunny patio, complete with plenty of seating and outdoor games.
Photo via Philadelphia Distilling
The roof of this former elementary school is now one of the city's hottest bars, as well as its companion bar, Irwin's, which has its own deck, and both feature unbeatable views of the city.
Yards Brewing
Yards' spacious flagship spot at 5th and Spring Garden has an unexpected outdoor seating situation — when the weather gets warm, you can sit under the tanks out front, and even those at the bar will be able to enjoy the fresh air when the space opens its garage doors.
Photo by Drink Philly
Yards' spacious flagship spot at 5th and Spring Garden has an unexpected outdoor seating situation — when the weather gets warm, you can sit under the tanks out front, and even those at the bar will be able to enjoy the fresh air when the space opens its garage doors.
Photo by Drink Philly
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Rosy's Taco Bar
This elevated Mexican spot at 22nd and Walnut throws its windows open wide when it gets warm outside, and they've got outdoor seating as well, making sure everyone can enjoy the good weather.
Photo via Rosy's Taco Bar
This elevated Mexican spot at 22nd and Walnut throws its windows open wide when it gets warm outside, and they've got outdoor seating as well, making sure everyone can enjoy the good weather.
Photo via Rosy's Taco Bar
Along 13th Street in Midtown Village
The stretch of 13th Street from Chestnut to Locust offers some of the best outdoor seating in the city: grab wine and Italian fare at either Prunella or oysters at Pearl & Mary; enjoy wood-fired pizzas at Barbuzzo, snack on guac at El Vez; grab a glass of wine at Vintage; stop by an atmospheric spot like Sampan or its backyard bar, Graffiti Bar; or make your way to Locust and score a table in Little Nonna's intimate backyard setting.
Photo by Drink Philly
Pub & Kitchen
This classic gastropub right at the corner of 20th and Lombard has a gorgeous stretch of outdoor seating along 20th Street, so choose something from their excellent whiskey list and enjoy sipping it under the trees.
This classic gastropub right at the corner of 20th and Lombard has a gorgeous stretch of outdoor seating along 20th Street, so choose something from their excellent whiskey list and enjoy sipping it under the trees.
Photo by Pub & Kitchen
One of the city's largest selections of craft canned beers, Milkboy also offers a well curated cocktail menu. Even when it rains, towering glass garage doors swing open for indoor/outdoor sipping.
Photo via Milkboy
Photo via Milkboy
This Tria location boasts plenty of sidewalk seating and choice people watching at the corner of 12th and Spruce. Sit under one of the bright yellow umbrellas while sipping a great beer or wine paired with some of the best cheeses in the city. If the 12th Street location is too packed, try their Rittenhouse location.
Photo by Drink Philly
Photo by Drink Philly
Square 1682
Relax at street-side seating surrounded by fragrant planters of herbs while enjoying cocktails under burgundy umbrellas.
Photo: Mark Henninger, ImagicDigital.com
Relax at street-side seating surrounded by fragrant planters of herbs while enjoying cocktails under burgundy umbrellas.
Photo: Mark Henninger, ImagicDigital.com
The prettiest patio in Old City is found on the second floor of this Americana-themed bar, and the large corner square holds nearly a dozen tables. Set with heat lamps, this terrace with a view is the perfect place to gather with a group from early spring to late fall.
Photo via Revolution House
Photo via Revolution House
Compared to the street-side drinking options of Center City, Manayunk Brewery’s Schuylkill-facing river deck is positively pastoral. Opt for a sweet-tart pint of raspberry and cherry-scented Schuylkill Punch for maximum springtime drinking enjoyment.
Photo via Manayunk Brewing
Photo via Manayunk Brewing
Knock a few back at one of Northern Liberties' roof decks, and be sure to pair that beer with some house made charcuterie.
Photo by Drink Philly
Photo by Drink Philly
Settle into one of East Falls’ most scenic patio tables and spend an afternoon at In Riva, where a menu of excellent cocktails will keep you there well after the sun sets on the Schuylkill.
Photo via In Riva
Photo via In Riva
Whether your goal is dancing, drinking or feasting, Silk City’s beer garden offers an exciting and vibrant backdrop to a perfect night out. Should you crave a cure for a hangover the next day, Silk City offers one of the most popular brunch menus in the city.
Photo by Silk City
Photo by Silk City
With 20 beers on tap and two casks, the 10th Street seats at Varga Bar are hard to come by. Head over early to grab a spot and enjoy pours of your favorite local and national craft beers.
Photo via Drink Philly
Photo via Drink Philly
Find picnic tables tucked between exposed brick walls, nine craft beers on tap, cider, and an extensive list of bourbon and whiskey.
Photo by Jason Varney
Photo by Jason Varney
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This spot along Frankford Avenue (formerly home to ROOT restaurant + wine bar) has reinvented itself as a chic cocktail lounge where the creative menu rotates seasonally, so stop in and pick your favorite drink on every menu. When it gets warm, they'll open the doors once again for anyone who wants to sit outside.
Photo via Drink Philly
Photo via Drink Philly
This Fishtown spot offers outdoor dining at their tucked-away patio space. Sip on a cocktail crafted with a local spirit, order some cheese and charcuterie, and kick back.
Photo via Martha on Facebook
Photo via Martha on Facebook
The recently renovated lot adjacent to the restaurant is the largest outdoor space in South Philly and perfect for margaritas.
Photo via Drink Philly
Photo via Drink Philly
Across from Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, it has a great view from its outdoor seating.
Photo via Red Owl Tavern
Photo via Red Owl Tavern
Sip on a local craft beer and dine on the fresh seafood at this Fishtown spot with an outdoor patio. Lucky for you, they also do happy hour outdoors.
Photo via Kensington Quarters
Photo via Kensington Quarters
This Point Breeze gastropub offers up a ton of craft beer selections alongside pub food, including, yes, sardines, on its sunny outdoor patio.
Photo via American Sardine Bar
With both a patio space and garage doors that open up the restaurant – Co-Op Restaurant & Bar is a perfect spot for warm weather days in University City. The menu features seasonal ingredients from the Mid-Atlantic states with a drink menu playing homage to our neighbor-states featuring cocktails like the Jersey Shore Kettle Corn Whiskey Sour (Dad's Hat whiskey, kettle corn syrup, lemon, egg white) and the Chesapeake Pearl Martini vodka, honeydew, cucumber, lemon).
Photo via Co-Op
Experience the Danish concept of “Hygge” which means taking pleasure in the ordinary, by grabbing a bite and drink outside on Fairmount ave. Bar Hygge even brews and cans their own beers with a menu featuring everything from Belgians to IPAs and sours and stouts. They also have a full bar and wine shop!
Photo via Bar Hygge
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Come for the people watching and stay for the upscale cocktails at this classic spot overlooking the park. Various bubbly options are featured on the menu as well as wines by the glass, including rosés (the official beverage of Rittenhouse Sq.).
Photo by Drink Philly
Photo by Drink Philly
With a three hour happy hour from 4-7 PM Wednesday through Friday, DBG (short for Drury Beer Garden), is a great after-work spot. The beer garden features a classic pub menu with an extensive can and bottle list.
Photo via Drury Beer Garden
Photo via Drury Beer Garden
A gorgeous rooftop awaits at this Detriot-style pizza restaurant, located just off of South Street. Grab one of the signature pies (my favorite is the Big Ang!) and an Afternoon Delight (Aperol, pomegranate, grenadine, prosecco). Want something even more refreshing? Try the Palomo (Campo Bravo Reposado, Grapefruit, Lime, Agave, Grapefruit Soda).
Another new bar to hit Philly’s outdoor dining scene this year is the latest iteration from the FringeArts crew - FringeBar. Sip on a draft Espresso Martini while taking in views of the illuminated Ben Franklin bridge at night or enjoy a spring negroni by day. Brunch is also available outside on Saturdays and Sundays.
Photo by Drink Philly
Photo by Drink Philly
Brooklyn’s popular Other Half Brewing opened in 2022 in Fishtown with 20 taps and a large outdoor beer garden equipped with lawn games. The food menu includes brewpub classics like jalapeno poppers and smash burgers. The beer list is definitely an IPA-lovers dream featuring over 19 pale ales along with a few other sours, ciders and stouts.
Photo via Other Half Brewing
Photo via Other Half Brewing
Tags: Outdoor Seating
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