The Fallser Club
This cozy, 200-person club may be a nonprofit, but the production values are what you’d find at some of the bigger for-profit clubs. The music at what was once a silent film theater leans into the acoustic, world, and alt-folk realms, with some open mics, film screenings, and drag shows thrown in. Don’t miss the Philly Music Fest’s night here on October 18th, featuring local acts Catie Turner, the Lunar Year, and Chioke. 3721 Midvale Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19129, thefallserclub.com.
Sorella
She might not channel Beyonc in her everyday life, but if she'd like to glam it up for the prom which she can actually do, if she so chooses, in Mama Beyonc's line, House of Deron then take her to the downstairs Prom Lounge of this fashionable boutique on Media's so-cute main drag. She'll find the dress, the shoes, the jewelry, and thanks to the helpful sisters who own the shop, you'll keep your sanity in the process. 23 East State Street, Media, PA 19063, sorellashop.com.
Varlo Apparel
Varlo Apparel founder Soj Jibowu. Photograph courtesy Soj Jibowu Former Division-I track star Soj Jibowu stumbled into the world of triathlon competitions without even knowing how to swim — and still managed to create multi-sport drag-resistant apparel that compresses in all the right places. You can also create your own sleek design from the more than 300 fabric choices in the custom online shop. varlosports.com.
Chestnut Hill
The past year's retail development along the main drag of Germantown Avenue has transformed it from "Oh, that's a cute place to shop" to Serious Destination. So, go. And buy us something nice. 00000, chestnuthillpa.com/shopping.
Little Fish
When you’re there in the teeny- tiny dining room, knocking back your special-occasion bubbly, popping pudgy little raw scallops dressed in pineapple and hot peppers, dragging the tines of your fork across the back of your black cod just to hear how crispy it is, you’ll understand how a small, nearly 25-year-old seafood BYOB was able to capture our hearts – and how Alex Yoon (its new chef and owner) was able to keep a good thing going. 746 South 6th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, littlefishbyob.com.
Whole Foods Market's South Street Bicycle Delivery Service
Because grocery shopping can be a total drag (where did they move the chia seeds to, anyway?), the Whole Foods gods gave us this: bike delivery from the chain's South Street location. If you live in Center City, you can call or email the store, and a personal shopper will fill your bags. A few hours later—boom. You've got your favorite WFM eats on your doorstep. 929 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, wholefoodsmarket.com/service/south-street-bike-delivery.
Fabric Workshop and Museum
We’re not even sure how free museums exist these days, but such is the case with this museum, which always has inventive programming in the contemporary art realm and is free to enter. (A $5 donation is suggested.) Through September 29th, go to see, hear and feel “The Rose Garden,” an immersive exhibit centered on gender and transformation, created by legendary Philly drag artist John Jarboe of the Bearded Ladies Cabaret. 1214 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, fabricworkshopandmuseum.org.
The Kensington Kinetic Sculpture Derby
We're suckers for this gala procession of "art and human-powered transit," a two-mile-long obstacle course full of drag queens, sofa kings, oversized skulls, beer tanks, balloons, sharks and superheroes, all battling to make it to-what else?-a mud pit. And how can you not love a fest that invites notorious two-wheeler-hater Stu Bykofsky to judge what is, underneath all the papier-mach and twisted metal, a bike parade? 00000, kinetickensington.org.
Philadelphia Scooters
Scooters are huge, figuratively, in Philly right now, drawing all types of enthusiasts who swear by this venerable Passyunk Avenue shop, citing friendly, affordable service and a staff of "scooter nerds" who greet their clients' rides like old friends. 1733 East Passyunk Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19148, philadelphiascooters.com.
Craft Coven
Photograph by Jeff Fusco These pop-up DIY events all over the city are organized by Philly artist Cassie Jones and feature a wide range of endeavors, such as stitching your own reusable shopping bag out of recycled fabrics, weaving a basket out of reeds, making your own watercolor paints, and drawing nude models — free beer is included for that last one. thecraftcoven.org.
Wallflower Paper & Party Shop
Photograph by Jeff Fusco We’ve all pulled up to Target, resigned ourselves to spending too much money, and then wandered around the drab, cookie-cutter party decorations aisle. (Florals …. for spring …. groundbreaking.) One spin around Wallflower’s Kodachrome shop, though, will restore whatever will to decorate you’ve lost. Sift through the gift wraps, napkins and cards — and be reminded that parties are supposed to be fun. 723 South 4th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, instagram.com/wallflower.paperparty.
Gass & Main
Chef Dane DeMarco works from a very particular palette when crafting menus, drawing on a thousand memories of street parties, suburban dinner tables and backyard barbecues. At Gass & Main, the mac and cheese is made with truffled gnocchi in a silky mornay, the green tomato hush puppies are crowned with chow chow and bathed in comeback sauce, the hot dogs are Snake River wagyu with homemade hot mustard, and there’s caviar topping the French onion dip. Because at Gass & Main, childhood is redefined, comfort comes with an upgrade, and even the simplest, most cherished food memories can be made new again. 7 Kings Court, Haddonfield, NJ 08033, gassandmain.com.
The Philadelphia Museum of Art
For $125, two adults and all the kids in your life (seriously!) get a year's worth of admission; free tickets to special exhibits; and discounts on parking, shopping, food, events and the amazing art classes. But the really irresistible part of the deal is that you get access to all the rad and free family activities the PMA hosts -- play dates, drawing classes, art projects, stroller tours, themed story times and more. Hear that? That's free climate-controlled, culture-focused year-round activities, people. 2600 Ben Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA 19103, philamuseum.org/_.
Barneys CO-OP
Paul Smith. Vince. Rag and Bone. Onitsuka. Loomstate. Opening Ceremony. If you're a city dude, consider yourself edgy-natty-preppy-buttoned-up, and like to moan about commuting to KOP/NYC for your fashion fix, you'll need to find something new to gripe about. Thanks to the Co-op's well-stocked second floor, not having somewhere to shop is no longer a valid complaint. 1811 Walnut Street, 2nd Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19103, barneys.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-BNY-Site/default/Stores-Details?StoreID=335.
Wawa
I used to drink fancy coffee – single-drip/hand-roasted/micro-lot concoctions that cost roughly $25 apiece. But eventually, I stopped being patient enough to wait for a latte artist to draw a tree in my almond milk foam. So I went to Wawa, the promised land of self-serve carafes, where a cup costs less than two bucks, where the bar never runs out of stirrers or sugar or creamer, and where the coffee isn’t a caffeine bomb, so I can drink it all day without getting the shakes. There’s something innately comforting about the easy routine of Wawa: press, pour, stir, pay, drink, repeat. I guess I could ask myself if I miss my rose-petal cappuccinos (not particularly), or if I really need to drink four cups of coffee a day (definitely not). But the question I actually find myself asking, as I zip in and out of Wawa in less time than it takes a hipster barista to pull a shot of espresso, is: Why did coffee become so freaking complicated in the first place? – Emily Goulet wawa.com.