Where to Celebrate Bastille Day 2018 in Philadelphia

On July 14, 1789, the French stormed the Bastille and declared a revolution. From that day forward, it has given us Americans a great reason to continue the blue, white, and red party, just 10 days after our own independence celebration, to show support for our allies across the Atlantic.  

 

From now until Bastille Day, this Old City brasserie will be serving specials like lobster rolls, salad Lyonnaise, steak frites and cocktails in honor of the holiday. They’ll be hosting two $35 French tasting events: on Wednesday, July 11, a wine and cheese tasting, and on Friday, July 13, a rosé and sparkling wine tasting.  To top the celebrations off on Saturday, July 14, from 4 PM-7 PM they’re hosting a “Let them eat cake” costume party. The party will feature grand prize drawings, a jazz performance by the Victor North Quartet, and free berries and cream shortcakes.  (52 S 2nd St.)

Urban Saloon, Belgian Café, Bishop’s Collar, Fare, Frankie Ann's Bar & Grill and London Grill
Kick off Bastille Day weekend with a free French bar crawl in Fairmount. Start at Urban Saloon with a complimentary Kronenbourg 1664 or Kronenbourg Blanc and head to other participating locations Belgian Café, Bishop’s Collar, Fare, Frankie Ann's Bar & Grill and London Grill for giveaways, drink specials and more. (Fairmount)

 

Both Tria Cafés are celebrating France with what they do best — wine & cheese. Taste the difference between two similarly named French wines (specifically, Pouilly-Fumé and Pouilly-Fuissé) alongside a cheese board that pairs with both varietals. (1137 Spruce St.; 123 S 18th St.)

Good King Tavern
This Queen Village restaurant will be shutting down Kater Street all day to celebrate French independence with wines, Kronenbourg, draft cocktails and a special street food menu with items like summer salads, baguette sandwiches, fried sardines, pomme frites, and duck wings. On Good King's back patio, Lo-Fi Apertifs will be setting up a bar with Quaker City Mercantile with music and giveaways.  Neighbors Hale and True Cider and Nomad Pizza will also be vendors at the event. Entertainment includes live music, DJ sets, face painting, pétanque (a game similar to bocce), and corn hole. Everything is cash only, so come prepared! (Kater St. Between 6th and 8th, and 7th between South and Bainbridge)

 

Can you believe Stephen Starr’s French bistro has only been around for 10 years? Celebrate the Rittenhouse restaurant’s anniversary with an all-day party on 18th Street. The festival will feature activities like face painting, cookie decorating, performances, a photo booth and more.  (227 S 18th St.) 

 

Bastille Day Party in Fairmount
Eastern State Penitentiary & London Grill
2018 marks the 24th and final year that Marie Antoinette will fling Tastycakes from atop the Eastern State Penitentiary, so come out to see her last performance. Watch The Bearded Ladies cabaret troupe perform what has been described as a “completely historically accurate” reenactment of the French Revolution starting at 5:30 PM. The co-owner of London Grill, Terry McNally, will star as Marie Antoinette one last time with lots song, dance and Tastycakes. The fun continues at London Grill afterward with a street party, Kronenbourg specials, and a performance by the West Philadelphia Orchestra. (2027 Fairmount Ave.)

 

Saturday, July 14, 7 PM-10 PM
Bastille Day Fundraiser

The Alliance Française & Chart House
Treat yourself to a buffet dinner featuring chicken satay, seared ahi tuna, bacon wrapped scallops, music, and an open bar. There will be a silent auction featuring prizes like two roundtrip tickets to Paris, dinner at some of Philly’s French restaurants, theater tickets, and other great prizes. Tickets are $110 for members and $140 for non-members and can be purchased here. (555 S Christopher Columbus Blvd.)