Jaffa Bar
Photograph by Ed Newton Michael Solomonov’s towering two-story oyster bar was built for large parties. Upstairs has a chilled-out, fine-dining vibe; downstairs is all gin cocktails, soul music, platters of oysters, and yellowtail crusted in pastrami spice. No matter what kind of night you’re looking for — or how deep you roll — Jaffa has a place for you. 1625 North Howard Street, Philadelphia, PA 19122, jaffabarphilly.com.
Philadelphia Folk Festival
After a spectacular and controversial collapse, the legendary folk fest, which started in 1962, has a new director and is back in business at Montco’s Old Pool Farm. The resuscitated festival runs August 16th to 18th, with acts including John Oates, Gangstagrass, and renowned banjoist (yes, banjoist!) Tony Trischka. We hope it will continue for many years to come. folkfest.org.
Historic Burlington Antiques and Art Emporium
With more than 65 businesses and dealers, Jersey’s biggest and most eclectic antiques showroom is a treasure hunter’s dream — not to mention an architectural marvel, with a 30-foot-high arched pine ceiling atop the 15,000-square-foot space. Browse the classic offerings in furniture and pottery as well as rare novelties like Depression-era glass and signed memorabilia. 424 High Street, Burlington, NJ 08016, antiquesnj.com.
Retro Pilates
Retro Pilates puts a blast-from-the-past spin on traditional reformer Pilates. You’ll lengthen and strengthen on one of six Allegro 2 machines to the sounds of rock, folk and blues music from the Stones era, surrounded by a mid-century modern aesthetic. After your full-body burn, chillax in a bright white-and-red egg chair. 2423 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19125, retropilatesphilly.com.
Soundwalk
Pioneering composer Ellen Reid pushes the definition of public art with this GPS-enabled immersive exhibition. An app sends location-based musical compositions featuring musicians from the Philadelphia Orchestra, sound effects and soundscapes into your earbuds as you walk through some of your favorite outdoor spaces in Fairmount Park. The exhibit ends on September 30th. manncenter.org/soundwalk.
PHLove
We loved watching Philly (and formerly Philly) music greats Darryl Hall, Questlove, Amos Lee and Patti LaBelle come together for this telethon/variety show, which raised $1.5 million for the PHL COVID-19 Relief Fund. Miss Patti absolutely killed it, as did the gospel choir that followed her. Find the full concert on YouTube. philafound.org/covid-19/phlove.
DJ Sara Sherr
Escape frat-boy "Freebird" karaoke hell with this friendly, tattooed, pixie-haired gal of 40, who does actually have "Freebird" in her vast songbook, but also lots of B-sides, rare cuts and other music-nerd tracks. Venues include Tabu, P.O.P.E. and 12 Steps Down; connect with Sara Sherr via facebook.com/singyourlifekaraoke. 00000, facebook.com/singyourlifekaraoke.
DiCostanzas Italian Sandwiches
It's probably not on your beaten path, this sandwich shop with a Boothwyn address (GPS tip: actually not in Boothwyn more like Upper Chichester), but you won't regret the detour. Salty prosciutto, capicola, ham and salami add up to an Italian hoagie so gratifying that the owners have made a business actually shipping them to fans around the country. 1930 Market Street, Boothwyn, PA 19061, .
All Around This World
Parents rave about dad Jay Sand's internationally themed music classes, taught weekly from his West Philadelphia home. Kids eight and under are a captive audience for what one mom describes as Sand's "wonderful songs, great singing and guitar playing, ridiculous wit, crazy dance moves, and understanding of what it means to be a child." 00000, allaroundthisworld.com.
Mask and Wig Club
If you haven't seen a performance by the club's all-Penn, all-male musical-comedy troupe, buy yourself a ticket (this fall, Conquistadora the Explorer). Until then, book your next birthday bash, class reunion, rehearsal dinner or anniversary celebration in the cool rathskellar-style Grille Room, with its beer-stein-adorned walls and Maxfield Parrish frescoes. 310 South Quince Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, maskandwig.com.
Suitsupply
It's Holland's best export, with everything you'd expect from a place that offers velvet dinner jackets but none of the intimidation factor. Prices are low ($399 for a two-piece suit), alterations are quick (no more than three days), and the non-suit stock (leather bags, crisp shirts) will help you finally understand what "business casual" actually means. 1601 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, us.suitsupply.com/en_US/home.
Paul Robeson House & Museum
If you’re into music, don’t miss the Paul Robeson House & Museum, dedicated to the life of the interesting character who went from NFL player to Harlem Renaissance performer to political activist who found himself on the wrong side of the FBI and McCarthyism. He spent the latter part of his life at this property, which hosts concerts and exhibits about issues like MOVE. 4951 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19139, paulrobesonhouse.org.
Video Games
Many public libraries offer all sorts of things to check out other than books, like musical instruments (Parkway Central) and museum passes (most suburban libraries). But thanks to a new initiative by the Free Library of Philadelphia, you can now borrow more than 100 titles for PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo Switch, for up to three weeks at a time. freelibrary.org.
Clover Market
Now in its 14th year, Clover has exploded from its beginnings as a 25-vendor pop-up market in Ardmore to a roving shopping extravaganza with four locations, eight different events, and a curated roster of nearly 100 different small-biz vendors, artists and artisans, plus live music and food trucks. In short, it’s the happiest treasure hunt around. theclovermarket.com.
Winsome
Winsome's Alex Brenard with a client / Photograph by Courtney Apple Things you won’t find at Alex Brenard’s Callowhill barbershop: photos of steely razor blades and motorcycles; aggressive machismo. Things you will find: skilled barbers doling out sleek cuts (they specialize in short styles); planted pothos and hanging ivy; fresh-cut flowers for sale on the weekends; and, after hours, music- and art-centered events and a book club. 448 North 10th Street, suite 100, Philadelphia, PA 19123, winsomeforgood.com.