Flywheel Sports
Last spring, we finally got to see what all the fuss was about when this NYC-based fitness brand opened not one, but two brand-spanking-new indoor cycling studios in our area. Then it finally clicked: the DJ-curated music, the tiered stadium seating, the TorqBoard stats to see, in real time, how you stack up against your neighborthis is why New Yorkers are so addicted. Were in. Multiple locations, 00000, philadelphia.flywheelsports.com/memberships.
Michael Quinn Contracting
Mike Quinn has won the devotion of entire neighborhoods in Philly, renovating and upgrading kitchens for one ecstatic client after the next. The appeal is threefold. First: He finishes on time. Second: He finishes at cost. Third: He finishes with no drama. In other words, he's a total pro who expertly deals with the space constraints and quirks in old rowhomes. He does great work with bathrooms, too. 1026 East Palmer Street, Philadelphia, PA 19125, .
Christopher Hill, Headhouse Salon
Bring him your pictures (be sure to check out his Insta for inspiration), tell him about your lifestyle (read: your hair maintenance routine, or lack thereof), then sit back, let him do his thing, and enjoy strutting out with a change you love so much, you'll keep it until it's time for your next new look. 141 League Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, headhousesalonphilly.com.
Egan Rittenhouse
Call us gluttons, but ever since Kate Egan opened her jewelry store back in 2008, we've been aching for her to do more. Finally, she has, in the form of this three-month-old gift shop in the Rittenhouse Hotel, where she stocks elegant luxuries like French linen caftans, Pehr Designs mobiles, Alumnae sandals, and flower creations by Terrain floral designer Matthew Muscarella, all worthy ways to woo out-of-town hotel guests and locals alike. 210 West Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, PA 19102, eganrittenhouse.com.
Greatest Friend (@greatestfriend)
While Greatest Friend's Kensington showroom is worth a visit, it's the well-curated Instagram shop that has us clicking the refresh button with alarming frequency. Owner Angela Winter Means posts tidy images of lacy frocks, '70s gowns and mid-century Japanese dresses, complete with measurements and prices. All it takes is a quick DM to make them yours 1714 N Mascher Street, Philadelphia, PA 19122, shopgreatestfriend.com.
Stephen Simons and David Frank
When this duo (Cantina Los Caballitos, Dos Segundos, Royal Tavern, Royal Sushi Izakaya, etc.) isn't running pop-up beer gardens, they're resurrecting spots like Khyber Pass Pub and Triangle Tavern and remaking them into modern hot spots with local booze and interesting bar food — and managing to do so without turning entire neighborhoods into identical seas of bearded hipsters.
L'Etage
We're over the neon dance clubs of yesteryear, where you can't find your friends if you get separated, you can't hear yourself think, and the drinks have stupid names. We prefer this French-inspired club, where DJs spin hip-hop, R&B and club classics (best is DJ Muhammad on most Friday nights) but you don't have to drink Buttery Nipples to fit in. 624 South 6th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, creperie-beaumonde.com.
Osayi Osunde, Fit Academy
It takes nothing short of superpowers for a fitness trainer to make flutter kicks fun. So fun, in fact, that you leave the workout looking forward to doing more of them the next day, like some sort of masochist. Meaning: Osayi Osunde, who leads muscle-burning, laughter-filled boot camps at the Art Museum steps, might just be ... a superhero? Fitphl.com.
Greensgrow
The nursery at the Kensington outpost of this urban-gardening nonprofit has the easiest-ever way to add some life to your window box or curb: Just drop off your containers in late winter, and Greensgrow experts do all the planting, watering, pruning, babying and coddling until Mother's Day, when you pick them up and put them out for your neighbors to envy. 2501 East Cumberland Street, Philadelphia, PA 19125, greensgrow.org.
Daly Termite and Pest Management
When your backyard starts to feel like a life-size game of Whac-A-Mole or the scurrying noises in the attic seem to be multiplying, your fix is Jim Daly. He's not only one of the few local exterminators licensed to deal with larger, four-legged nuisances (which he does humanely) -- he also makes appointments for specific times and gives you his cell number, so you can reach him anytime. 19003, dalypest.com.
FringeArts
With the big move to its beautiful Old City venue, Fringe has, after 18 years, officially been cemented as a Philly arts institution. But that doesn't mean head honcho Nick Stuccio and crew have strayed from their original mission of bringing cutting-edge artists from around the world to Philly. In fact, they're doing it better than ever. 140 North Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19106, fringearts.com/_.
Nine Ting
You know what's good? Korean barbecue. Also good? Shabu shabu. But what's awesome is having them both in one place -- and getting them for an all-you-can-eat price of $32. It sounds a little expensive on the surface, but if you wanted, you could literally just sit there all day and make the servers bring you one of everything off both menus. And who wouldn't want to do that? 926 Race Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, .
Il Pittore
Screw you and your vegan, fair-trade, farm-to-table almond milk. There are some things we'll always do better on the East Coast, and Italian food is one of them. The ironic thing? Il Pittore looks like every taste-of-Tuscany dining room scattered across the Left Coast, but the food is so much richer, smarter and more soulful than virtually anything you'd find at any of those "lighter is better" places. 2025 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, ilpittore.com.
Monarch Yoga
This energetic, community-minded space has it all: a range of all-levels practices, from heated power flow to yin yoga and slow flow; roof-deck, garden and pop-up classes across the city; and regular $5 classes. Plus, the dynamic, rotating event roster includes live DJ sets, journaling, meditation and sound baths. 171 West Berks Street, Philadelphia, PA 19122, monarch-yoga.com.
Beekeepers for a Day
Sure, you could meet at a bar or try to get a table at the best new restaurant in Philadelphia. But if you really want to see what your possible future better half is made of, both of you can don some beekeeper outfits and spend half a day delving deep into bees and their hives with South Philly apiarist Mark Berman. Bonus: You get to take home a bottle of backyard honey. What you do with that honey after this segment of your date ends is your business. instagram.com/annabeeshoney.