The Dell Music Center
We know the city has a lot on its hands right now, but we wish it would do more with this lovely 6,000-person Fairmount Park amphitheater managed by Parks & Rec. There were only 12 (12!) concerts scheduled for all of July and August. Maybe the city shouldn’t be in the concert business? 2400 Strawberry Mansion Drive, Philadelphia, PA 19132, thedellmusiccenter.com.
Anchor Rock Club
If you like the aesthetic and programming of Johnny Brenda’s and Union Transfer, you’ll love this indie venue within feet of the Atlantic Ocean. It’s the brainchild of South Philly Tap Room and American Sardine Bar owner (and now Atlantic City developer) John Longacre. This month, look for Guided By Voices (August 20th), the Mountain Goats (August 29), and Philly’s own Low Cut Connie (August 27th). 247 South New York Avenue, Atlantic City, NJ 08401, anchorrockclub.com.
Downstage @ the Mann
This season, the Mann debuted a brand-new seating option: onstage. That’s right. For select shows, the regular seats and lawn are closed off, and the audience sits right up there with the performers. There’s only one Downstage @ the Mann show left this season (sorry; you just missed Nigerian Afrobeat master Femi Kuti), but you can still get tickets for the Resistance Revival Chorus on October 7th. 5201 Parkside Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19131, manncenter.org/downstage.
Engin Cycles
Engin Cycles owner Drew Guldalian / Photograph by Jeff Fusco Right off the bat: These are not cheap bikes. They start at $4,500, so we’d understand if your eyes just bugged out. But hear us out: They’re gorgeous. Nearly every piece of the bike is machined in-house, and the titanium frame adds a level of durability that no off-the-rack frame can match. So maybe put this on your “someday” list. 7837 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19118, engincycles.com.
Mid-City Tire and Auto
You’ve exhausted AutoZone’s supply of Fix-a-Flat, and it’s time to admit you need a professional to repair your slowly ssssssinking tire. But you don’t have the patience to endure the tire shop’s sales pitch — or the thousand bucks it will cost you if you give in to it. We’ve brought tires into Mid-City with embarrassingly low — probably dangerously so — treads and walked out with patches, and without a sales pitch. That level of honesty brought us back when we decided, “Hey, maybe I really do need new tires.” 709 Washington Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19147, midcitytire.com.
Maria Quiñones-Sánchez
The Councilperson had hoped to keep her breast cancer and treatment a secret — so personal, you see. But then: “I thought about the women I know who have lost their battles with breast cancer.” She also thought about Philly women who, like her, weren’t getting regular screenings. So she changed her mind, wrote her story in the Inquirer, and kept on keeping on.
Flaunt Fitness
After 10 years in business and with a new studio space in the works, Flaunt Fitness remains the place to channel your inner vixen, whether through a pole workout, an inversion workshop, a sultry heels sesh, a twerking party, or one of the many high-energy dance fitness classes. You’ll feel so empowered, you’ll have no shame posting your progress all over IG. 1939 South 17th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19145, flauntfitness.net.
Riverwards Produce Old City
Nearly 3,000 square feet of all your favorite groceries: high-quality produce (hello, sour cherries!), plenty of vegan products, floral bouquets from local cooperatives like Terra Luna and Sunny Harvest, coffee from more than 25 regional roasteries, covetable frozen items like Mom-Mom’s Pierogies, an impressive array of cheeses, frozen desserts from Milk Jawn and Fiore, fresh baked goods from Mighty Bread Co. and Kismet Bagels, and a raw juice and smoothie bar. We may never leave. 146 North Bread Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106, riverwardsproduce.com.
Lux Natural Teeth Whitening
It’s time to accept that we’re all so vain (cue Carly Simon) and just want to look good. And when it comes to getting pearly whites, Lux takes the gold with its plant-and-mineral-based gel that’ll lift your teeth up to 12 shades in a single visit. No irritated gums, no worn-away enamel, no waiting forever to see results — time to throw away those lame at-home strips. 1650 Market Street, suite 3600, Philadelphia, PA 19103, lux-whitening.com.
Barry's Philadelphia
Long before 50 Shades of Grey, Barry’s created its own red room for addictive HIIT workouts that are said to burn up to 1,000 calories in less than an hour (talk about efficient). At the Rittenhouse spot, the team provides an easy-to-learn, ever-changing lineup of intense treadmill sprints and strength-training exercises that are accessible for self-proclaimed non-runners but tough enough to challenge the most athletic among us. 1915-17 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, barrys.com/studio/philadelphia.
Lips and Drips by Erica Marie
Nurses Erica Mendez and Erica Hammel opened this posh spa where custom vitamin-and-mineral-packed IV drips give your body a hefty dose of nutrients in less time than it’ll take you to watch an ep of Bridgerton. Pick your pack (immunity, sports recovery, hangover helper, beauty), then sit back while the elixir goes to work. (P.S.: Hammel is also a Botox wizard, if you want to make the most of a visit.) 2342 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19145, lipsanddripsllc.com.
Primp & Play
Mini mani-pedis at Primp&Play / Photograph by Jeff Fusco It’s a genius concept: Mom gets a massage or facial while her little one is entertained with arts and crafts or mini beauty services like chocolate facials and glitter manis. Primp & Play is perfect for spa-day birthday parties, too — and no need to worry about stuffing goodie bags at 2 a.m., because your kid’s besties will make their own lotion, lip gloss or jewelry to take home. 1520 Locust Street, second floor, Philadelphia, PA 19102, primpandplay.com.
Cosmetic acupuncture at Alma Acupuncture
This less-invasive process at new, women-owned outpost Alma Acupuncture works more slowly than Botox (between six and 12 treatments are recommended), but those fine facial needles are worth it, improving complexions by stimulating collagen and elastin production. Plus, you’ll get a holistic health evaluation along with a dose of body acupuncture and facial massage — all with Sabbatical Beauty skin-care products. 1856A Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19125, almaacu.com.
OVME's Hydrafacial
There’s something ASMR-esque about seeing a container of dirty liquid that’s basically been vacuumed out of your pores — which is exactly what you’ll get with the HydraFacial at Ovme. Expect celeb-status exfoliating, extracting and cleansing that leaves your skin radiant and sans all that nasty buildup. 925 West Lancaster Avenue, number 140, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010, ovme.com.
Franklin's Secret at W Philadelphia Away Spa
Eighty minutes of pure facial bliss: a botanical steam, two masks for exfoliating and soothing, all the face-care works (serum, cleanser, toner, vitamin C eye treatment), a massage with a rose-quartz roller, and a bonus hand and foot coffee-sugar scrub — all enhanced by products from local vegan skin-care brand Franklin & Whitman. It’s Philly’s best-kept beauty secret. Well, until now. 1439 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102, na.globalspa.marriott.com/phlwh/49779414/home.