Drink Your Way Through Wednesday

Tiki drinks! Free apps!

I have been saying this for two years and I’m going to keep saying it: if someone doesn’t open a tiki bar here soon (I mean, isn’t this a no-brainer, Mr. Stephen Starr?), I’m going to have to do it myself. I’m highly qualified — I own not one, but two copies of Trader Vic’s Book of Food and Drink.

In the meantime, we’ll make do with Waitiki Wednesdays, a new weekly tiki night at Square 1682, which kicks off this Wednesday, December 8 from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Each Wednesday, the bartenders will concoct a new tiki drink and Square chef Guillermo Tellez will create a Hawaiian-themed bar special. For the launch, they’ll be serving a “Sneaky Tiki,” made with with light and dark rum, cherry bitters, unsweetened pineapple juice, lemon juice and orange Curacao ($8), and chicken and tomato empanadas with pineapple barbecue sauce ($5). Square 1682, Hotel Palomar, 121 South 17th Street, 215-563-5008

Also on Wednesday, December 8, Le Virtù in South Philly is launching its new happy hour menu by offering it for free from 5 to 7 p.m. It includes things like pizza fritta, mixed meats and mussels steamed in white wine and saffron. Prices range from $6 to $10. You’ll also get 25 percent off beer pairings, Italian wines, or cocktails during their happy hour, which normally runs Monday through Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. Le Virtù, 1927 East Passyunk Avenue, 215-271-5625