The Ultimate Guide to Outdoor Dining in Philly

Outdoor dining season is upon us, and we simply could not be more excited. Wednesday happy hour when it’s 72 degrees? Say less. Friday night dinner at golden hour? We already ordered the first round. A Sunday afternoon chilling with the pup at a beer garden? Yes, please!

These are some of the nicest options for those days when being inside is simply not an option.

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Rooftop Bars | Gardens | Waterfront Spots | Patios

Rooftop Bars

Bok Bar

Built atop a former high school, this South Philly rooftop fave offers incredible views, fun weekly events, and an exciting chef residency lineup. From yoga to drag shows to Salsa Sundays, check out their calendar here. Kids are welcome before sunset, and dogs are welcome all the time. This spot is seasonal, and is generally open from mid-April through October. 1901 South 9th Street.

Irwin’s

And speaking of Bok, the outdoor patio at Irwin’s is situated on the eighth floor of the Bok Building, if you want to stick around for dinner after your drinks. Book a reservation around the time the sun is setting and order the gnocchi sardi, tiramisu, and plenty of Italian wine. 1901 South 9th Street.

Assembly Rooftop Lounge

Atop the Logan Hotel, Assembly offers views of the Parkway, plus cocktails and small plates. It’s perfect for spring and summer nights, but in the winter it stays open with cozy fire pits. Bonus: Given its prime location, it’s an excellent choice for viewing fireworks on July 4th and the Thanksgiving Day Parade. 1840 Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

Stratus Lounge

Don’t go to Stratus expecting a sweeping view — the walls are high in the Hotel Monaco’s chic rooftop, a carryover from the historic Lafayette Building it calls home. But the Old City lounge is a great weekend spot (they’re only open Thursdays through Saturdays) for cocktails, small plates, and DJ sets. 433 Chestnut Street.

Sunset Social

Located on the 1.2-acre Cira Green rooftop park, Sunset Social feels like a constant lawn party. It’s always kid- and dog-friendly, with fun weekly events like outdoor movies on the giant screen, quizzo, DJ dance parties, and yappy hours. 129 South 30th Street.

Continental Midtown

Upstairs at the Stephen Starr standby, it’s a 1960s vibe. A cozy, mid-century fireplace lounge on the inside gives way to a rooftop patio with views, heat lamps, and occasional DJ sets. And yes, the Tang-dusted Astronaut martini is as good as you remember. 1801 Chestnut Street.

El Techo

Upstairs from sister restaurant Condesa, El Techo is a good option even when the weather is less than perfect, because the glass roof is retractable. Go for a mezcal margarita and “All of the Salsas,” (yes, that’s an app name), and keep an eye out for nights with live DJ sets. Note: El Techo is 21+ except for Sunday brunch, which welcomes all ages. 1830 Ludlow Street.

Attico Rooftop & Bar

Sixteen floors above the Avenue of the Arts, the Cambria Hotel has an indoor-outdoor plant-filled oasis perfect for an aesthetic afternoon or pre-theater cocktail. They’ve also got a menu of small bites, late-night happy hour, weekend brunch, and DJ sets every Friday and Saturday night. 219 South Broad Street.

Balcony Bar at the Kimmel Center

Speaking of the Avenue of the Arts, this spot is only open on summer Wednesdays for Center City Sips, but its unique location — the second-tier balcony of the Kimmel Center — makes it worth a mention. Go long enough to grab a one-of-a-kind selfie with City Hall behind you, but stick around for their new hot-dog-centric menu. (Chili dogs and Chopin, anyone?) 300 South Broad Street.

Revolution House

Revolution House’s second-floor outdoor deck also boasts a retractable roof, so you can get your eat and drink on no matter the weather. A sun-drenched weekend brunch is the move, though. 200 Market Street.

Emmy Squared

Rooftop pizza, sandwiches, and some really good drinks? Sounds like our kind of date. 632 South 5th Street.

Coming soon: AVA at Stateside Live!

The South Philly Sports Complex is unveiling a refreshed Stateside Live! (fka Xfinity Live) this summer, which, in addition to its plaza-level outdoor areas, will include a new, two-level rooftop bar, AVA, rising above the complex with unobstructed views of the stadiums — a perspective the Sports Complex has never really capitalized on. (Imagine posting up with a cocktail for fireworks games this summer!) They’re going for elevated lounge vibes, with bottle service, DJ sets, and a menu featuring lobster rolls and short-rib sliders. 1100 Pattison Avenue.

Gardens

PHS Pop-Up Gardens

PHS really started the whole seasonal pop-up beer garden craze years ago when they decided to transform an abandoned lot into an oasis. Since 2014, they have settled into a spot in the backyard of Jamaican Jerk Hut (at 15th and South). Then they added a second location in Manayunk, which was recently renovated to mimic the feel of an “urban forest.” Even better, the Manayunk spot has a game room with foosball, Skee-Ball, pop-a-shot and more. Both locations offer food, craft brews, cocktails, family-friendly activities, plant swaps and craft workshops throughout the spring and summer seasons. Also at both locations? A bright orange frozen Gritty Marg rimmed with black salt. 1438 South Street and 106 Jamestown Avenue.

Parks on Tap

Parks on Tap is touring for the season, popping over 27 weeks across city parks. With lots of room to run around, bathroom trailers, and food offerings like burgers and hot dogs for the kids, this is one of the best ways to spend a lazy weekend afternoon. Even better? A portion of all proceeds benefits each park they visit, ensuring outdoor play can go on long after the tour. Various locations.

Frankie’s Summer Club

Philly’s newest beer garden opened last summer in the courtyard of what used to be UArts’ Furness Hall, with food and drink by Irwin’s (the soft-serve is a must) to complement the backyard-party vibes.  355 South 15th Street.

Jet Wine Bar

Philly’s got beer gardens aplenty, but how about a wine garden? Jet’s garden is comfortable, casual, colorful, and features a full menu of global wines expertly selected by owner (and archeologist!) Jill Weber, plus shareable bites — think Mediterranean dips and Spanish tapas. 1525 South Street.

Walnut Garden

The vacant, McDonald’s-size hole turned beer garden returned to Walnut Street this spring. The 11,500-square-foot space in Rittenhouse is laidback and both kid- and dog-friendly, so it works for weekend afternoons as much as it does for happy hour. Likewise, the food menu is approachable with cheesesteaks, chicken sandwiches, and shareable snacks. They’re generally open from spring through the end of the year, and go all out for both Halloween and the holiday season with decor and theming. Special features include big screens for game days and a mini playground for the little ones. (They’ve also got an indoor section, in case it gets cold or rainy.) 1706-10 Walnut Street.

Attic Brewing Company

This Germantown brewery has a beer garden out back that’s both dog- and kid-friendly. They’ve also got a full schedule of food trucks and host live music and comedy. 137 Berkley Street.

Rodin Garden Bar

Set in the oasis-like courtyard of the Rodin Museum on the Parkway, the Garden Bar returns every summer Friday evening through August, offering a unique outdoor drinking experience that includes free access to the gardens and pay-what-you-wish museum admission while the bar’s open. The garden outside the museum displays a total of eight works by the famed sculptor, including The Thinker and The Gates of Hell, as well as a fountain perfect for perching on to enjoy a rosé and some live music. This year, you can also grab a bite from the new Rising Up Kitchen food truck (named for PMA’s current Rocky-inspired exhibit), serving roast pork sandwiches with provolone, cheesesteak egg rolls with long-hot aioli, soft pretzels, frozen desserts, and more. The Garden Bar is also kid- and dog-friendly. 2151 Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

Uptown Beer Garden

UBG is many things to many people. An after-work drink en route to catty-corner Suburban Station. A tiki-inspired bar in the warm seasons. A scary-clown/Stranger Things mashup when it’s Halloween. Santa’s Workshop serving Grinchy spiked hot cocoa during the holidays. Yes, all of these things can be true at once, and they’re all happening outdoors across UBG’s three bars and enthusiastically decorated footprint. (There’s also an enclosed section for when whether isn’t so great.)  1500 John F. Kennedy Boulevard.

Evil Genius Beer Co.

Known for its whimsical names like Purple Monkey Dishwasher, the Fishtown brewery (or “Lab,” as they like to call it) has a delightful, colorful beer garden that also welcomes kids and dogs. (Come on Fridays for off-leash Yappy Hours, benefiting Palmer Doggie Depot.) 1727 North Front Street.

Independence Beer Garden

Located on Independence Mall across from the Liberty Bell, this 20,000-square-foot space by Michael Schulson boasts an expansive beer list, a snacky menu (think wings, fried pickles, cheese curds, and crowd-pleasing sandwiches), and TVs, making it a perfect spot for watching a game when it’s nice out. Plus, outdoor games —  shuffleboard, cornhole, giant Jenga, and ping-pong — to keep you entertained during commercial breaks. 100 South Independence Mall West.

Frankford Hall

Unlike most places on this list, Frankford Hall is open in Fishtown year-round. On the menu? German biergarten-inspired food like giant soft pretzels, schnitzel, and a variety of bratwurst and beers. The outdoor area is huge, and even stays warm in the winter thanks to heat lamps and fire pits. 1210 Frankford Avenue.

Waterfront Spots

Cherry Street Pier

Visit this open-air riverfront space for views of the Ben Franklin Bridge. Stick around and grab a drink at the pop-up bar. While you’re there, check out the pier’s artists’ galleries, art installations, and pop-up events like craft markets. Seating is first-come, first-served. 121 North Columbus Boulevard.

Spruce Street Harbor Park

Arguably the waterfront attraction that started the whole area’s renaissance, Spruce Street Harbor Park boasts the Lazy Hammock bar, offering seasonal cocktails and local beer on a floating barge. Even better, you can reserve one of the park’s hammock lounges in advance. A couple summers ago, they added a stage and performance venue — and a 16-foot-high video wall to host watch parties — and they’ve got a full schedule this summer, including the Live & Local concert series on Thursdays, live jazz on Fridays, and the Summer Sounds series on Saturdays. 301 South Christopher Columbus Boulevard.

Morgan’s Pier

This spring and summertime favorite overlooks the Delaware River with views of the Ben Franklin Bridge and the marina below. It’s a seasonal hotspot featuring DJs, specialty cocktails and several outdoor bars — but they also host a family-friendly weekend brunch. They’re also welcoming to dogs, and host monthly Yappy Hours — usually on the first Monday of the month, from 4 to 8 p.m. — with proceeds going to the PSPCA. 221 North Columbus Boulevard.

Liberty Point

This massive outdoor restaurant at the Independence Seaport Museum has three levels, five bars, panoramic waterfront views, and live entertainment. Note: It’s kid-friendly, but stick to daytime. All minors must be accompanied by an adult after 4 p.m., and kids need to be out by 9 p.m. 211 South Columbus Boulevard.

Fringe Bar

If some of the Delaware River waterfront spots on this list get a little too crowded — or a little too bro-y one particular summer afternoon — cross the street and head to FringeArts’ outdoor beer garden. They’ve got Pumphouse Pizza on weekends, and a weekend brunch menu that pairs perfectly with views of the Ben Franklin Bridge. 140 North Columbus Boulevard.

Patios

Southwark

Southwark’s courtyard is a hidden gem in Queen Village, adorned with flowers and herbs, the latter of which are often used for menu items. (You can’t get more locally sourced than that.) 701 South 4th Street.

Caletta

The Italian-inspired cocktail lounge of Fishtown’s stunning boutique hotel Anna & Bel offers poolside patio seating on a first-come, first-served basis. Pro tip: Go for aperitivo hour (4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays), when every drink is paired with a snack. 1401 East Susquehanna Avenue.

Royal Boucherie

Royal Boucherie’s upstairs terrace is hidden away from the streets. It does not feel like it belongs in Philadelphia, and that’s part of the fun. Pretend you’re on vacation, when really you’re just playing hooky on a 70-degree Thursday over oysters and glasses of rosé. 52 South 2nd Street.

El Chingon Fishtown

When chef Carlos Aparicio expanded his award-winning South Philly spot El Chingon to Fishtown, he created a more casual, summery version of the restaurant, which includes an outdoor “Jardin de Agave” with its own bar and backyard party vibes to match. 1431 Frankford Avenue.

Wm. Mulherin’s Sons

During COVID, Mulherin’s took over a small lot next door, turning it into a dreamy outdoor dining spot with plants, twinkle lights, and comfortable picnic tables. The garden is now a permanent addition to the restaurant, with their menu of spritzes and wood-fired pizzas. 1355 North Front Street.

Front Street Cafe

Fishtown’s all-day cafe has a tucked-away back garden — and an outdoor bar — perfect for day-drinking. 1253 North Front Street.

Suraya

Suraya’s beautiful courtyard reflects its Levantine heritage. The 5,000-square-foot outdoor lounge and garden is framed by Persian ironwood trees and has its own bar so you don’t need to head inside to keep the cocktails flowing. 1528 Frankford Avenue.

Sor Ynéz

The laidback outdoor area of this Mexican spot in Kensington includes a cute enclosed patio and a working garden that adds to the restaurant’s dishes and garnishes. Bonus: lots of free parking. 1800 North American Street.

Le Virtù

Abruzzo inspired this elegant East Passyunk spot — and its ample, partially covered patio boasts a mural of the Italian region. Go for homemade pastas, antipasti board, and an olive-oil martini. 1927 East Passyunk Avenue.

Osteria

Yes, we love Osteria’s glass-enclosed patio, but have you dined under their pergola? It’s the perfect place to graze on antipasti and sip on something light and springy — may we suggest the bay leaf-tinged Allora? They’ve also got a great happy hour, including on weekends! 640 North Broad Street.

American Sardine Bar

This Point Breeze stalwart turned the empty lot adjacent to the building into a dedicated outdoor space. In the summer, it’s where people recline in comfortable lawn chairs under string lights. It’s where they drink beer and eat tinned fish samplers and salt-and-pepper fries. You want to be one of those people. 1800 Federal Street.

Talula’s Garden

This farm-to-table spot in Washington Square is beloved for its cheese plate and extra-fresh everything. Seats on the rustically planted courtyard are justly coveted. 210 West Washington Square.

Parc

You already know about Parc’s outdoor dining area lining Rittenhouse Square. But no outdoor guide would be complete without a mention. Order a seafood tower and a spritz, and get your people-watching on. 227 South 18th Street.

Harper’s Garden

Edison-bulb string lights hang from the wooden beams and lush greenery make this open-air veranda a lovely little spot to grab a spritz or frozé after work. 31 South 18th Street.

Booker’s Restaurant & Bar

Booker’s runs on comfort, brunch, and happy hour — and you want to be a part of it, especially thanks to Southern favorites like fried chicken and waffles covered with strawberry butter. Their outdoor seating along Baltimore Avenue is always full of plants and seasonal decorations under the restaurant’s pergola. 5021 Baltimore Avenue.

Additional reporting by Maddy Sweitzer-Lammé, Sarah Maiellano, and Laura Brzyski.

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