Mike's Furniture Refinishing
With more than 20 years in business, owner Mike McCarron looks at every piece of furniture he strips, shellacs, varnishes or lacquers as an opportunity to preserve a familys history. His craft can turn any ugly old chair into an heirloom worth putting in your will. 5101 Comly Street, Philadelphia, PA 19135, mikesfurniturerefinishing.com.
El Secreto
El Secreto empanadas. Photograph by Ted Nghiem The pandemic-born pop-up peddles Argentine-style empanadas with flaky, delicious dough and fun fillings like buffalo chicken, Big Mac, pork banh mi and pop tart. It’s business on the outside, party on the inside, which maybe makes them the mullets of empanadas? instagram.com/elsecretosnacksphilly.
Tavern on Camac
You already know about the always-fun first-floor piano bar. But upstairs is a music-pumping hideaway where the city’s cool-kid creative types go to blow off some steam. Diverse, inclusive and hassle-free—a rare combination in a dance club these days. 243 South Camac Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, tavernoncamac.com.
American Garage Door Supplies & Repairs
Ever seen a service business with nothing but five-star reviews? This Northeast Philly garage door crew has 300 and counting. Whatever your need or problem, they handle it quickly and efficiently. That includes cleaning up the mess made by the garage door repair firm you called first. amdoorrepairs.com.
Vox Populi
Climb three floors through the graffiti-festooned stairwell into this experimental art gallery, where there's something oddly delightful around every corner. The best times to visit are on First Fridays or for the sporadic live band shows, at which the music tends to be as strange and fun as the art that's on the walls. 319 North 11th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, voxpopuligallery.org.
Philadelphia Independents
The goodies here fall into the Brotherly Love vein (hand-drawn neighborhood maps, prints featuring neighborhood-centric designs) without veering into cheesiness. Everything is made in the Philadelphia area, so you're supporting local business when you buy that "Home Sweet Jawn" watercolor print. 35 North 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106, philadelphiaindependents.com.
Black Squirrel Club
Yes, they host the best jazz jam in the city. That’s each Monday. But this performing arts venue, located in a steam plant from the early 1900s, also has chamber music, comedy, mystical experiences and weddings. We think the oft-overused word “eclectic” would apply here. 1049 Sarah Street, Philadelphia, PA 19125, instagram.com/blacksquirrelclub.
48 Record Bar
Ten years ago, who would’ve thought that audiophiles and music nerds in general would be flocking to a new bar to drink $15 cocktails and listen to vinyl records (and only vinyl records) all night long? The world is weird. Maybe that means we’ll have a cassette cafe in 2034. 48 South 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106, 48recordbar.com.
Little Shop of Chains
Oversize acrylic glasses chains made by Brewerytown designer Liz Barrella add flair to any kind of eyewear, whether prescription, sunglasses — maybe a monocle? Even better, Barrella has started making chains to hold your masks, a must-have accessory in this age of shifting mandates. etsy.com/shop/LittleShopofChainss.
Formation Sauna + Wellness
Disconnect from your busy life for a bit with a slice of serenity from this Nordic-inspired sauna. With temps climbing to 195 degrees and intermittent ice-cold showers, you’ll feel both rested and energized, ready to rejoin the world — after a post-sauna massage or cup of tea, of course. 305 Brown Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123, formationsauna.com.
Safa Persian Teahouse
Safa has siphon-brew teas served in a room meant to evoke the teahouses of Iran. But what makes it a must-visit is the other side of the menu, which has excellent baklava, hummus, dolmeh, and the Turkish Supreme — a decadent iced coffee mixed with chocolate syrup, milk and whipped cream. 4165 Main Street, Philadelphia, PA 19127, safateahouse.com.
Brian Maher
You can come to him or he'll come to you—so there goes your "I'm too busy to work out today" excuse. And with Maher's tailored-to-you workouts and solid diet and nutrition know-how, you may even—gasp!—look forward to your gym time. 1429 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102, phillypersonaltraining.com.
Sheeder Mill Farm
No equine snobbery here—the accommodating staff finds you the right mount and goes at your pace, whether it’s your first or 400th ride, a quick afternoon session or overnight camp. And it’s one of the few horse-riding places in the region that are open all year. Note: Reservations are a must. 12 Sheeder Mill Road, Spring City, PA 19475, smfhorses.com.
Fergie’s
One of the longest-running trivia events in Philadelphia — if not the longest — is still the best. Get there early on Tuesdays if you want to play, because trivia night at this 30-year-old Irish pub can get very busy. And come prepared: One of their regulars was on Jeopardy! recently. These people don’t mess around. 1214 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, fergies.com.
The Philadelphia Museum of Art
Each Friday, the city’s buttoned-up institution lets loose with extended hours (it’s open till 8:45 p.m.), cocktails, tapas, live music, and access to the galleries. Go, so that you don’t feel as guilty about spending the rest of the weekend binge-watching Netflix on your couch. 2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, Philadelphia, PA 19130, philamuseum.org.