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Table 31 offers undeniably one of the best alfresco dining experiences in the city. (Photo courtesy Table 31)

Table 31 at the Comcast Center is in denial of the end of the summer: in a great, thirst-quenching way.

If you, too, don’t want to see the end of summer 2011′s Center City Sips, head to Table 31 every Wednesday in the fall from 5-7 p.m.

They’ll have the same $2 draft beers, $3 glasses of cabernet and chardonnay and $4 Mia’s Lemonades or Plaza Sun Teas that they served up all summer long.

Chef Chris Scarduzio’s delicious contemporary Italian cuisine pairs perfectly with a glass of any of the above.

The Plaza Cafe at Table 31 offers great alfresco dining in a spirited cafe setting— undeniably one of the best outdoor dining experiences in the city. It’s a great way to take advantage of the fresh summer-turning-into-fall weather.

Head there tonight!

Table 31 Center City Sips Specials for Fall
Where: 1701 JFK Boulevard
When: Wednesdays, 5-7 p.m.
Cost: Pay as you go
More info: www.table-31.com

It's the final day of August, and it's a gorgeous one: toast to the summer and the weather with an outdoor bite or drink this evening. (Photo credits: top by B. Krist for GPTMC, bottom right by G. Widman for GPTMC, bottom left courtesy Square 1682)

[Summer in Philadelphia is action-packed, and we want to help you cherry-pick from all the events and activities going on. On certain days that promise particularly bustling evenings, we'll be rounding up our selections for the most can't-miss pursuits with which to fill your schedule. See you out there!]

It’s absolutely gorgeous outside, a fitting setting for this evening, a night of many summer lasts. It’s your last chance to try Oyster House’s Twin Lobster Wednesday special, enjoy awesome happy hour deals through Center City for Center City Sips, catch an outdoor movie in Headhouse Square and more.

All our top picks for how to spend this glorious evening, the last in August 2011, below:

• Twin Lobster Wednesdays at Oyster House: Last One!: Enjoy a pair of one-pound lobsters flown in fresh from Maine’s Ready Seafood, steamed and served with butter and corn on the cob, all for just $26.

Where: 1516 Sansom Street
When: Wednesdays in August, 5-10 p.m.
Cost: $26

• Center City Sips: Last One!: The summer’s happiest happy hour returns, with $4 cocktails, $3 wine, $2 beer and half-price appetizers at more than 80 bars.

When: Wednesdays through August 31, 5–7 p.m.
Where: 83 bars in Center City
Cost: $4 cocktails, $3 wine, $2 beer and half-price appetizers

• South Street Headhouse Summer Indie Film Series: Last One!: The weekly outdoor movie screening series concludes this evening with the fashion month-appropriate The September Issue. BYOC (Bring Your Own Chair)!

When: Wednesday evenings through August 31, 8 p.m.
Where: Headhouse Square, 2nd Street between Pine and Lombard Streets
Cost: Free

• Korean Fried Chicken at Meritage: It’s the last week to chow down on this mouth-watering special, including $3 Sly Fox cans. Enjoy it tonight and tomorrow.

When: Wednesday and Thursday, August 31-September 1
Where: 500 S. 20th Street
Cost: $18, plus 3 Sly Fox cans

• International House Philadelphia Outdoor Movie Screenings: Watch The Secret of NIMH in the IHP courtyard. This adaptation of Robert C. O’Brien’s Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH is a cult classic. Shy mouse Mrs. Brisby enlists the help of a group of rats in saving her family.

Where: 3701 Chestnut Street
When: August 31, 8 p.m.
Cost: Free

• “Summer In Provence” Wine Dinner at Barbuzzo: This is going to be something special. Much-buzzed-about Barbuzzo is hosting a five-course “Summer In Provence” wine dinner tonight, with each course, heavy on the fresh and locally sourced ingredients, paired with a delicious wine.

Where: 110 S. 13th Street
When: August 31
Cost: $55

• Happy Hour at Frankford Hall Beer Garden: Stephen Starr’s Frankford Hall has just introduced a brand new weekday happy hour with some awesome specials. We’re talking about $8 for a beer and sausage combo: 1/2 liter of any draft beer plus your choice of any sausage. That means you can enjoy a delicious Stoudt’s Karnival Kolcsh along with a Hot Bauernwurst for a steal of a price of just $8.

Where: 1210 Frankford Avenue
When: Tuesday–Friday, 4-7 p.m.
Cost: Pay as you go

Philadelphia summer nights are as jam-packed as ever; tonight you can choose from two outdoor concerts, three outdoor movies and two awesome food specials. (Credit: GPTMC)

[Summer in Philadelphia is action-packed, and we want to help you cherry-pick from all the events and activities going on. On certain days that promise particularly bustling evenings, we'll be rounding up our selections for the most can't-miss pursuits with which to fill your schedule. See you out there!]

• Twin Lobster Wednesdays at Oyster House: Enjoy a pair of one-pound lobsters flown in fresh from Maine’s Ready Seafood, steamed and served with butter and corn on the cob, all for just $26.

Where: 1516 Sansom Street
When: Wednesdays in August, 5-10 p.m.
Cost: $26

• Philadelphia Weekly 2011 Summer Concert Series: Philadelphia Weekly’s annual summer concert series is back, starting tonight. This year, the free outdoor concert series is taking place at the Piazza at Schmidts in Northern Liberties. Tonight’s show features reggae/jam bands Simple Minded Budz, Mr. Charlie and Jah Works.

Where: Piazza at Schmidts, 2nd Street and Germantown Avenue
When: Wednesday, August 17 and Wednesday, August 24, 6-9 p.m.
Cost: Free

• PM @ Penn Museum Summer Nights: The alfresco concert series continues tonight at 5 p.m., where you can hear eclectic live music, explore the beautiful Warden Garden, sip drinks and enjoy light fare from the Pepper Mill Café’s garden bar.

When: Wednesdays through August 24
, 5-8 p.m.
Where: 3260 South Street
Cost: $5 (includes admission into the museum)

• Center City Sips: The summer’s happiest happy hour returns, with $4 cocktails, $3 wine, $2 beer and half-price appetizers at more than 80 bars.

When: Wednesdays through August 31, 5–7 p.m.
Where: 83 bars in Center City
Cost: $4 cocktails, $3 wine, $2 beer and half-price appetizers

• South Street Headhouse Summer Indie Film Series: The weekly outdoor movie screening series continues this evening with The Happening. BYOC (Bring Your Own Chair)!

When: Wednesday evenings through August 31, 8 p.m.
Where: Headhouse Square, 2nd Street between Pine and Lombard Streets
Cost: Free

• International House Philadelphia Outdoor Movie Screenings: Watch The Point in the IHP courtyard. Harry Nilsson’s album of the same name is transformed into a fairytale adventure narrated by Ringo Starr. Oblio, the only member of his village with a round head, loses a challenge with the sinister Count and is banished to the Pointless Forrest.

Where: 3701 Chestnut Street
When: August 17 and 31, 8 p.m.
Cost: Free

• Scribe Video Center presents “Street Movies!”: This summer series of outdoor film screenings and live performances across the city continues tonight at Fairhill Square in North Philadelphia/Centro deOro with an ppening performance by Project Capoeira including live music and traditional Brazilian instruments. The performance is followed by several documentary screenings.

Where: N. 4th Street & Lehigh Avenue
When: Wednesday, August 17, 7:45 p.m.
Cost: Free

Enjoy samples of John's Water Ice tonight at the Philadelphia History Museum's Conversation's on Cool event. (Photo by R. Kennedy for GPTMC)

[Summer in Philadelphia is action-packed, and we want to help you cherry-pick from all the events and activities going on. On certain days that promise particularly bustling evenings, we'll be rounding up our selections for the most can't-miss pursuits with which to fill your schedule. See you out there!]

• Conversations on Cool at the Philadelphia History Museum: Tonight at the Philadelphia History Museum, discover the history of your favorite summer treats while enjoying samples from Bassett’s Ice Cream, Franklin Fountain and John’s Water Ice.

Where: Philadelphia History Museum, 15 S. 7th Street
When: Wednesday, July 20, 6–8 p.m.
Cost: $10 for non-members, free for members

• All-You-Can-Eat Blue Crab Night at The Wishing Well: Enjoy unlimited succulent blue crabs and refreshing beer specials tonight at the Wishing Well, from 5-10 p.m.

Where: 767 S. 9th Street
When: Wednesday, July 20, 5-10 p.m.
Cost: $22.99 per person

• Center City Sips: The summer’s happiest happy hour returns, with $4 cocktails, $3 wine, $2 beer and half-price appetizers at more than 80 bars.

When: June 1–August 31, Wednesdays 5–7 p.m.
Where: 83 bars in Center City
Cost: $4 cocktails, $3 wine, $2 beer and half-price appetizers

• University City Dining Days: Through July 28, nearly 30 participating restaurants are offering an array of hot deals on dinner. These offers clock in at either $15, $25 or $30 for three courses, making them both delicious and accessible for just about everyone. Remember you can still enter our giveaway: win $100 in restaurant gift certificates!

Where: Nearly 30 participating restaurants in West Philadelphia
When: Now- July 28
Cost: $15, $25 or $30

• PM @ Penn Museum Summer Nights: The alfresco concert series continues tonight at 5 p.m., where you can hear eclectic live music, explore the beautiful Warden Garden, sip drinks and enjoy light fare from the Pepper Mill Café’s garden bar.

When: Wednesdays, June 22-August 24
, 5-8 p.m.
Where: 3260 South Street
Cost: $5 (includes admission into the museum)

Check out four more events below.

(more…)

Center City District Sips includes great locally sourced cocktails. (Photo by J. Varney courtesy Noble)

Center City District Sips has been rocking Wednesday nights for nearly a month now and already, it looks like this summer will be an unqualified success for this annual Center City-wide happy hour deal.

One of the things that was new about this year’s CCD Sips is that they have partnered with Philly Homegrown (our sister site) to bring a little local sourcing to some of the offerings. Here are the spots where you can get your Sip on, local style.

• Bistro St. Tropez* is offering Phoenixville’s own Sly Fox Saison Vox
• The Coffee Bar has Flying Fish’s Exit 4 in a 12 ounce bottle
• Fado has Philadelphia Brewing Company’s Kenzinger on draft and their Walt Wit in bottles
• Ladder 15 has Philadelphia Pale Ale on draft
M Restaurant* is offering a seasonal menu of locally sourced bites
• All the participating Marathon Restaurants* are serving up a sangria studded with local fruit
• Noble American Cookery has Kenzinger and Fleur de Lehigh, both from PBC
• Opa will be pouring Victory’s Prima Pils
• Tavern 17* is offering all local drafts for the Center City District Sips price

And remember. Cocktails are $4, wine is $3 and beer is $2 for both bottles and drafts. Featured appetizers are half price. Oh, and the asterisks mean that if you stick around and have dinner once happy hour has wound down, those restaurants will take 15% off your meal. Not a bad deal at all.

Center City District Sips
When: June 1–August 31, Wednesdays 5–7 p.m.
Cost: $4 cocktails, $3 wine, $2 beer and half-price appetizers
Where: 83 bars in Center City
More info: www.centercityphila.org

Enjoy $2 beer, $3 wine and spicy tuna rolls in Raw's outdoor courtyard for Center City Sips. (Photo courtesy Center City District)

[Summer in Philadelphia is action-packed, and we want to help you cherry-pick from all the events and activities going on. On certain days that promise particularly bustling evenings, we'll be rounding up our selections for the most can't-miss pursuits with which to fill your schedule. See you out there!]

• 4th Annual Philadelphia Independent Film Festival: Tonight is the kick-off of this annual celebration of cinematic art in Philadelphia. Last year’s festival drew more than 11,000 people. Cash into the fun by attending one of the dozens of screenings throughout the five-day festival at four venues: the Franklin Institute, Media Bureau, Cafe Treece and Random Tearoom.

When: June 22-26
Where: Franklin Institute, Media Bureau, Cafe Treece or Random Tearoom
Cost: $8 for individual screenings ($10 at the Franklin Institute), $25 for a festival day-pass

• South Street Headhouse Summer Indie Film Series: The weekly outdoor movie screening series continues this evening, with On the Waterfront. BYOC (Bring Your Own Chair)!

When: Wednesday evenings through August 31
Where: Headhouse Square, 2nd Street between Pine and Lombard Streets
Cost: Free

• PM @ Penn Museum Summer Nights: Another opening night! The alfresco concert series kicks off tonight at 5 p.m., where you can hear eclectic live music, explore the beautiful Warden Garden, sip drinks and enjoy light fare from the Pepper Mill Café’s garden bar.

When: Wednesdays, June 22-August 24
, 5-8 p.m.
Where: 3260 South Street

Cost: $5 (includes admission into the museum)


• Center City Sips: The summer’s happiest happy hour returns, with $4 cocktails, $3 wine, $2 beer and half-price appetizers at more than 80 bars. Click here for all the spots serving Summer Love Ale!

When: June 1–August 31, Wednesdays 5–7 p.m.
Where: 83 bars in Center City
Cost: $4 cocktails, $3 wine, $2 beer and half-price appetizers

Center City Sips is back: enjoy discounted drink specials every Wednesday this summer. (Photo by G. Widman for GPTMC)

It’s officially here: Center City District Sips returns for the season tomorrow, Wednesday, June 1.

More than 80 participating bars (full list here) offer $4 cocktails, $3 wine, $2 beers and half-priced appetizers every Wednesday evening from 5-7 p.m. throughout the summer, June 1 through August 31.

Plus, certain bars and restaurants offer an additional 15% dinner discount for those who stay past 7 p.m.

Check out new-to-Sips participants like Independence al Fresco, The Corner, Kokopelli, Opa and Perch Pub or stop by Sips veterans like Thirteen at the Marriott Downtown, Ladder 15, (XIX) Nineteen at the Bellevue, Vango (pictured right), Raw, Tinto and many others.

It’s the summer’s happiest happy hour!

Center City District Sips
When: June 1–August 31, Wednesdays 5–7 p.m.
Cost: $4 cocktails, $3 wine, $2 beer and half-price appetizers
Where: 83 bars in Center City
More info: www.centercityphila.org

Previously: Center City Sips Returns June 1 With $4 Cocktails, $3 Glasses Of Wine, $2 Beers And Half-Price Appetizers, Taking Place Every Wednesday Evening All Summer Long

The cafe is the perfect warm-weather hangout in Historic Philadelphia, especially this year with its newly aquired liquor license.
(Photo courtesy Independence Visitor Center)

Just in time for this beautiful spring weather we’re having, Independence al Fresco, a casual outdoor garden cafe adjacent to the Independence Visitor Center, opens for the spring and summer tomorrow, Friday, May 13 at noon.

Located in an amazing location right on Independence Mall, the Cafe makes for the ideal respite from sightseeing or the daily work day. You can literally hang out at the cafe with a snack or a drink and enjoy an incredibly impressive architectural backdrop made up of Independence Hall, The Liberty Bell, the new National Museum of American Jewish History, and the National Constitution Center.

While you’re soaking it all in, the Cafe offers simple American cuisine, with snacks like Philly soft pretzels, refreshing salads and six varieties of hot dogs, brats and sausages.

And big news for this year that’s going to make the Cafe even more fun: they’ve obtained a liquor license, so you can also sip on hand-crafted beers (including our Victory Summer Love Ale! coming soon) and wine. What better way to while away a spring evening than by relaxing on the mall, beverage in hand?

Independence al Fresco is open daily from May to October, noon to 6 p.m. Also new this year, the café will stay open until 7 p.m. on Wednesdays for Center City Sips. Take advantage of $3 wines, $2 beers and half-price appetizers.

See you out there.

Independence al Fresco
1 N. Independence Mall East
www.independencevisitorcenter.com

 
The super popular emblem of spring and summertime in Philadelphia, Center City District Sips, returns Wednesday, June 1.

83 participating bars (full list here) offer $4 cocktails, $3 wine, $2 beers and half-priced appetizers every Wednesday from 5-7 p.m. throughout the summer, through August 31.

Certain bars and restaurants offer an additional 15% dinner discount for those who stay past 7 p.m.

New this year: a Center City District Sips app, which will be released later this month, provides you with a locator to find exactly what drink and appetizer specials are available at the bars closest to you.

Plus, Center City District is celebrating its 20th year with weekly birthday parties. A different bar or restaurant each Wednesday during Sips will offer giveaways and prizes. To find out each week’s party location and other important sips news, follow them on Twitter.

We can’t wait for the summer’s happiest happy hour!

Center City District Sips
When: June 1–August 31, Wednesdays 5–7 p.m.
Cost: $4 cocktails, $3 wine, $2 beer and half-price appetizers
Where: 83 bars in Center City
More info: www.centercityphila.org

Make an evening out of it tonight in Rittenhouse Square. (Photo by R. Kennedy for GPTMC)

Allow yesterday’s almost fall-like weather to remind you that you should take advantage of outdoor summer activities as much as possible while you still can.

To that end, tonight is the second Wednesday of the Concerts in the Park concert series in Rittenhouse Square. Last week’s show was postponed due to rain so here’s hoping for better luck tonight. UPDATE: The 80-degree forecast is looking promising.

The bands playing this week are 1) Government Cheaze, 2) Drink Up Buttercup, and 3) A Place to Bury Strangers.

It’s a great opportunity to maybe check out Center City Sips first, and then swing by the Rittenhouse Square concert afterward.

Or maybe bring a picnic and enjoy a nice summer evening in the park, complete with a concert under the stars.

Concerts in the Park [Official Site]