Josh Middleton

There are plenty of things that make a bar great, but a show-stopping view? That’s a real gamechanger. What could be more elegant than sitting up high, cocktail-in-hand taking in some sweet, sweet scenery. Whether you’re perched on the umpteenth floor of a Singaporean skyrise or plonked atop a south London car park, rooftop bars are about the experience just as much as the drinks.  Sure, many of them are swanky places, but lots more are pretty down-to-earth hangouts, too (despite, obvs, being pretty far from the ground). Featuring top-notch venues from all over the globe, our favourite rooftop bars range from the cha-ching to the chilled. But they’ve all got one thing in common – a stonking view. RECOMMENDED: 🍷 The best bars in Europe🍸The best bars in North America🍹The best bars in Asia

Philadelphia is the kind of city where you can walk the same streets as the founders of the country in the morning and spend your night in the restaurant of a chef, creating a completely new experience. Supremely walkable, delightfully unpretentious, and only a little surly, Philly is a world-class city masquerading as a small town. Come for the history, stay for the food, and fall in love with the characters that make Philly unique. The City of Brotherly Love is best explored on foot, so put on some sneakers and hit the cobblestones. We’ll get you started with 30 of the best things to do in Philadelphia. RECOMMENDED:The best Philadelphia hotels with hot tubsThe best hotels in PhiladelphiaThe best cabins in PhiladelphiaThe best Airbnbs in PhiladelphiaThe best attractions in Philadelphia This guide was updated by Philadelphia-based writer Tim McManus. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. 

Any city that has a drink special so ubiquitous that you could walk into any bar in town and ask for it by name must be a place that takes its drinking seriously. That’s the case in Philadelphia, where telling the bartender you want a “Citywide,” or just “The Special,” will make a can of cheap beer and a shot of well whiskey magically appear before you on the bar. But while we may be a shot and a beer town at heart, Philly’s bar scene offers so much more, from sophisticated cocktail bars and rooftop gems to neighborhood gastropubs and corner dives. RECOMMENDED: The best restaurants in Philly This guide was updated by Philadelphia-based writer Tim McManus. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. 

Celebrating Halloween in Boston is a no-brainer. As one of the oldest cities in the country, this town is rife with any kind of spook imaginable—whether it’s one of our creepy old graveyards, a verifiably haunted hotel or sites of bloody massacres that would put your favorite true-crime podcast to shame. And if all that’s not enough, we’re only a quick broom ride from Salem, which boasts a whole other kind of frightening history—and real-life witches everywhere you turn! But Halloween in Boston doesn’t have to be all that spine-tingling. Keep reading for various fun ideas, including Barbie-themed dance parties in former (probably haunted) prisons, floating costume soirees and suggestions on where to get your costumes and pumpkins for the season. RECOMMENDED: The best things to do in Boston

Philly loves to party. You knew that, right? The City of Brotherly Love is one of the most exciting cities in the U.S., a thrilling whirlwind of history and adventure, and a big night out is one of the best ways to experience it. The best clubs in Philadelphia are all about throwing shapes all night long. Nothing is typical here; the innovative restaurants and curious museums are further proof, but the clubs are on another level entirely. When the sun goes down, Philadelphia lets rip, and the result is a dancing extravaganza unlike any other. Put on your dancing shoes; it is time to throw some shapes.

This city may be known more for its scrappy sports fans and greasy, drippy cheesesteaks but the best luxury hotels in Philadelphia provide a different side to the City of Brotherly Love – one that can hold its own among the world’s fanciest, most cosmopolitan cities. Book a room in one of these world-class digs to lap up a little splendor while you set out to explore the best things to do in Philadelphia. They‘re all excellently located, so you know you’ll always be within walking distance to a handful of top Philadelphia attractions – whether it’s the historical stuff in Old City or Rittenhouse, which puts you in the epicenter of excellent museums, gorgeous parks, and some of the best restaurants in Philadelphia. Check out our guide to the best luxury hotels in Philadelphia below for the plushest beds, top-of-the-line amenities, and impeccable service. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best hotels in Philadelphia This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, click here.

Before we present you with our list of best gay bars in Philadelphia, a few interesting facts about the local LGBTQ scene: almost every LGBTQ-centric destination in the city is found in Gayborhood, an enclave in Center City Philadelphia that has quickly become one of the most recognize neighborhoods in town.  Don't take that to mean that the city is lacking in variety: sports lovers can root for their favorite team at one of the sports bars in town, there's a piano lounge for those looking to belt out a tune (or six) and a leather dungeon for chaps-clad daddies and those who love them. And, of course, there are a ton of clubs in Philly that cater to the community as well. RECOMMENDED: Our full guide to the best bars in Philadelphia

Like to plan ahead? Get a jump start on your date-making with our guide to the best things to do in Philadelphia this month. November brings holiday displays and activities to a handful of Philadelphia attractions, such as Dilworth Park and the Delaware River Waterfront. Plus, see some of the best live music Philadelphia has to offer and take in new exhibitions at some of the best Philadelphia museums. Find all that and more in our guide the best things to do in Philadelphia this month below. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best things to do in Philadelphia

Between otherworldly dishes served at the best restaurants in town, incredible hiking destinations, green parks and coffee shops whipping up some outstandingly photogenic (and caffeine-filled) drinks, the most Instagrammable places in Philadelphia basically serve as a love letter to the city of Brotherly Love. We've combed through out Instagram feeds to find shots by locals who have managed to capture the moments that make Philly look so damn pretty and—boy oh boy—we have fallen in love with our city all over again. Get ready to swoon.

No visit to the City of Brotherly Love is complete until you’ve wandered inside at least a few of the best Philadelphia museums. And, given the diversity we’ve got going on in town, you’ll never have to worry about finding one that you like.  The Benjamin Franklin Parkway—a work of art in itself—is ground zero when you want to ogle art (and, yes, the Rocky Statue) by the world’s most famous creatives, like Picasso, Van Gogh and Frida Kahlo. Looking for history? Find it in spades in Old City, where the revolutionary era comes alive in a handful of high-tech museums that are fun for grownups and kids alike. The campus of the University of Pennsylvania is also home to a diverse group of destinations—including a couple of underrated gems that are absolutely free to enter. Feel up on some cheesesteak at the best restaurants in town and then get ready to peruse the city’s top cultural offerings. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best things to do in Philadelphia

When will the latest edition of Time Out Philadelphia be available? You'll be able to pick up a free copy of the summer edition Time Out Philadelphia starting May 16. Where can I get a free copy of Time Out Philadelphia? Time Out Philadelphia street teams will be distributing the magazine in Center City on Wednesday, May 16 and Thursday, May 17 from 6:30 to 10:30am at the following locations: 30th Street Train Station at 30th and Market Streets City Hall at 15th and Market Streets Jefferson Station at 10th and Filbert Streets PATCO Station at 8th and Market Streets PATCO Station at 16th and Market Streets PATCO Station at 17th Street and JFK Boulevard Reading Terminal 12th and Filbert Streets Regional Rail entrance at 13th and Market Streets After that, deliveries will be made to restaurants, bars, shops, cultural institutions, hotels and more spots around the city. Looking for a spot near you? Check out this map for pick-up locations by zip code starting Monday, May 21. Will it still be the Time Out I know and love online? Absolutely. We feel passionately that it’ll be the same inspiring, high-quality content you currently enjoy. We’ll remain to be Philadelphia's No. 1 source for information on the latest restaurants, bars, theater, movies, concerts, festivals and exhibition openings in the city, and it’ll all still be filtered through our trademark critical eye. Why does this issue look different than the others? Our editors have recognized a recent sharing of cultures

This city is brimming with amazing watering holes—from the coziest of cocktail lounges to the grimmiest of dives—but sometimes choosing where to go can be tough. Enter the first-ever Time Out Philadelphia Bar Awards, which honors the best and brightest of the bar scene (and helps you decide where to go for happy hour). Below, you’ll find the full list of 2018 Time Out Philadelphia Bar Awards winners and runners-up, which were chosen by a trusty team of industry insiders and folks-about-town who know their way around a cocktail joint. With their help, we came up with a consensus about the new bar the city absolutely can‘t live without, must-visit breweries, establishments that have the most creative drink lists and the most Instagrammable cocktail in the city so you can get it on your IG feed, pronto. Check out the full list of winners below. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to Time Out Philadelphia's Bar Awards

The Abruzzo region of Italy inspires the flavors at this upscale dining spot that holds down the quieter southwestern stretch of East Passyunk Avenue. The menu features fresh, local ingredients to create a rustic, sea- and mountain-inspired menu that, while it changes with the season, always features knockout pasta dishes house-made daily with Abruzzese flour.

The main level of Double Knot functions as a cozy cocktail bar, which is charming enough on its own, but the real magic happens in the sexy, dimly lit restaurant that sprawls underfoot. Downstairs, the dining room serves a Japanese menu, complete with sushi, sashimi, meaty entrées, and creative sides. Behind the bar, unique cocktails incorporate Japanese components like yuzu, Japanese plums, and cherry blossoms.  

While on the topic of Philly institutions and James Beard award winners, feast your eyes on Fork. The Old City mainstay, run by 2023 outstanding restaurateur winner (and five-time nominee) Ellen Yin, serves new American fare in an elegant dining room setting. The locally sourced menu includes a tremendous selection of starters like black bass crudo and a housemade charcuterie. Other must-try spots across the city from Yin include a.kitchen and High Street Philly.

Taking over his grandfather’s members-only South Philly social club, Zeppoli chef Joey Baldino has reimagined this nondescript space into an intimate Italian-American enclave. A limited number of memberships are available at the door each evening to keep things in the family. Once you’re in, order a well-mixed Negroni, and don’t miss standouts on the menu like the stuffed artichokes, spaghetti with crabs, and house-made spumoni.

Another Nicholas Elmi’s project, Royal Boucherie is a spirited French-influenced American brasserie in Old City with a stellar selection of raw-bar offerings and house-made charcuterie that complement snacks and larger dishes graced with Elmi’s signature French touch. The two-floor, leather-and-wood dining room is warmed by a fireplace, making it a cozy, welcoming atmosphere to share a few plates, cocktails, or a bottle of vino from the massive wine list.

Instead of serving dishes à la carte, James-Beard-award-winning chef Marc Vetri offers a four-course tasting menu for $155 in his upscale dining room just off Broad Street. Located in the former home of Georges Perrier’s legendary Le Bec Fin, the gourmet menu includes Italian-focused dishes such as porcelet chops, Swiss chard gnocchi with brown butter and a chocolate polenta soufflé. As long as you’re splurging, you might as well add a full or partial wine or beer tasting to your experience.

As the name (and rainbow-clad crosswalks and street signs) suggests, this thriving neighborhood in Center City is home to dozens of LGBTQ businesses and organizations, including nearly all of the gay bars in Philadelphia, the William Way LGBT Community Center and a handful of gay-owned bookstores, sex shops and boutiques. On top of that, this is where you’ll also find tons of the best restaurants in Philadelphia, such as Vedge, Bud & Marilyn’s, Oloroso and Double Knot.

Don’t expect plush seats and surround sound at this pop-up indie movie theater on bustling South Street. It’s essentially a retail store that’s been gutted and transformed into a cinema, with 40 banquet table chairs, a heavy curtain separating the screening room from the lobby and a popcorn cart cranking out snacks up front. But throw in an excellently curated lineup of flicks and you have everything you need for a perfect, oh-so-Philly night at the movies. "While Philadelphia has plenty of traditional movie theaters, it was lacking in the kind of small screening rooms that could show golden-era movies or indie films, and South Street is the ideal location for finding unique and quirky entertainment," says owner Bill Arrowood about his lineup of flicks, which focuses on rare cult films, classics and independent features from local filmmakers. Screenings are only $5 and offer a great chance to see some classics on the big screen. As a general rule, Thursdays feature cult and classic films, Friday is retro night, Saturday matinees are family-friendly, catch horror and sci-fi flicks on Saturday night, and Sunday’s reserved for comedy.

This slick, contemporary space sits in the heart of the trendy Rittenhouse neighborhood (and just caddy-cornered from the park), making it an excellent place to pop in for a drink and A-plus people-watching after work. Grab a seat at the bar or at one of the booths or high tops that line the periphery and make your way through an inventive craft cocktail list that changes with the season and features fresh ingredients such as herbs and cold-pressed juices. The Good Night and Good Luck is a particular—and boozy—standout, concocted with rye whiskey, drambuie, carpano antica, laphroaig hellfire shrub and absinthe. You’ll also find a beer and cider on draft or in cans, a selection of wines and a dozen varieties of amari. On the food front, you’ve got Mediterranean-style small plates such as salmon croquettes, Spanish rock octopus and beets and burrata for dinner. In the spring of 2018, a.bar also began offering breakfast service from 7am to noon that features Rival Bros. coffee, pastries and a selection of sandwiches from High Street on Market.

Join the warm-weather party (May through October) at Spruce Street Harbor Park along the Delaware River. The attraction features a Boardwalk promenade buzzing with food stalls manned by local businesses like Franklin Fountain, Village Burger, Chickie’s and Pete’s, Distrito and more selling pizza, tacos, cheesesteaks, fried chicken, funnel cake, doughnuts and ice cream. There’s also a floating beer garden in the harbor where you can score more food and drinks amongst greenery and spectacular views of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge and its watery surroundings. More inland, things get even dreamier, with trees that drip with neon lights and and more than 50 hammocks where you can chill with your sweetie and take in the scene. A common area nearby provides seating around a water fountain, and oversized game boards, where you can challenge friends over a round of bocce, ping pong, Connect Four, chess and shuffleboard. Spruce Street Harbor Park also plays home to a staggering number of events throughout the season, including paddle board yoga, a Jazz in the Park concert series and an event every Friday night called Lights + Flights, which is essentially a beer tasting and light show all in one. The Punk Rock Flea Market and a farmers’ market from Greensgrow Farms sets up for shoppers on weekends.

In the warmer months, Blue Cross RiverRink transforms this portion of the Delaware River waterfront into a massive state fair of sorts, complete with a 60-foot-tall ferris wheel, carousel, mini-golf, carnival games and, of course, the outdoor roller rink—all with gorgeous views of the Ben Franklin Bridge. Restaurants and bars line the premises serving up beer, cocktails and a variety of summertime grub. Check out Chickie’s and Pete’s Waterfront Crab Shack, for instance, where you can get crab fries and other savory treats. Then head to the Franklin Fountain Clubhouse Cabin, serves up ice cream cones and other frozen goodies. Entry to Summerfest is free, though rides, roller skating, games and food are pay-as-you-go. Also take note that the park is only open on weekends from May 11 to 20, then it opens with a full summer schedule–seven days a week—on May 24.

A refreshing juxtaposition from the posh-ness of nearby Rittenhouse Square, Oscar’s Tavern is a Center City staple when you want to bypass all the fancy-pants cocktail lounges and wine dens in the area for cheap beers, greasy pub grub and a friendly yet take-no-bullshit waitstaff. The joint, which opened in 1972, has an almost diner-like feel, decked out with wood-paneled walls, a lineup of stools at the bar and a row of ripped red-vinyl booths, which fill up fast when the after-work crowd rolls in, roughly between 5 and 8pm. In the back, you’ll find tables, single-stall bathrooms and a jukebox cranking nostaligic tunes. The bar situation is pretty straight-forward, featuring familiar beers such as Rolling Rock, PBR and Yuengling—all for around $4 or $5. Cocktails are run the gamut from Screwdrivers and martinis to gin and tonics and Long Island iced teas. On the food from, there’s massive cheesesteaks, chicken fingers, no-frills burgers, drippy cheese fries and other plates perfect for soaking up all the alcohol. Order up and take in the scene. This is a Philly dive bar at its very best.

If you’re in West Philly, beeline to 4545 Girard Avenue right now to check out the brand new Will Smith mural being sketched and painted by London street artist Richard Wilson. According to a rep from Mural Arts Philadelphia, which broke news about the mural this afternoon on Twitter, Wilson was inspired to do the work after seeing some of Will Smith’s feel-good, togetherness-inspiring posts on Instagram. SNEAK PEEK: London artist Richard Wilson is in #Philly creating a mural honoring Will Smith! Check it out at 4545 Girard Ave. pic.twitter.com/dyzzy5LNB8 — Mural Arts (@muralarts) May 29, 2018 This isn’t a Mural Arts Philadelphia project, but the nonprofit has helped Wilson with essential organization and connected him with a nearby school, the Global Leadership Academy Charter School, where he will teach some art-making classes in conjunction with the mural’s creation. We haven’t been able to track down Wilson for comment, but this Instagram post from last week offers a few more clues in his own words as to what he has planned. Beautiful day in Philadelphia! Ready to start sketching up tomorrow, and yes there is a reason why that brick at top right has no paint ☺️ This wall belongs to a warehouse but I’m working in and this view is from a school, its an amazing place and i’m pretty sure all the kids just think the walls getting a coat of paint and thats it! I’m going to do a class with some of the kids and an Art teacher here which makes this really special #spraypain

Dust off your white threads; pull out your fanciest table linens and candelabras: Dîner en Blanc is returning to Philadelphia for its seventh year, and the waiting list is officially open. For those new to the game, Dîner en Blanc brings together upwards of 5,000 attendees dressed head to toe in white. All participants are required to tote their own white dining supplies: a table, chairs, linens, silverware, china and a picnic basket full of food and drinks. They’ll set up everything and have a fabulous meal together under the stars while the rest of us watch it unfold on Instagram (#dinerenblancphilly). Photograph: Georgi Anastasov The date for the 2018 festival hasn’t been announced yet. That will happen at a special party aboard the Moshulu on June 12. As fans know, the location of the soiree won’t be announced until moments before Dîner en Blanc takes place. But perhaps the Moshulu party offers a hint? Maybe something along the waterfront? I doubt organizers would be that obvious. The one bit of information we do know is the theme: “Passport to Le Dîner en Blanc,” a nod, says co-host Natanya DiBona, to the 30th anniversary of the party, which began in Paris 30 years ago before making its way to 80 cities around the world. As such, the party will celebrate the towns and cultures around the globe that participate in Dîner en Blanc, including Philadelphia, which was one of the first cities to take part when the party went international. Photograph: Courtesy Du Soleil Phot

Outdoor-drinking enthusiasts, take note: This summer the Good King Tavern is opening charming secret patio. Opening June 6, the space is tucked away just behind the restaurant, which sits at the corner of 7th and Kater Streets in Queen Village. General Manager Chloe Grigri says the patio will be decked out with market lights, greenery and casual garden furniture, where guests can hang out to sip a lineup of refreshing, summer-approved beverages. Drinks include Kronenbourg ($6), Aperol Spritz ($10), and rosé, red and white wines by the glass for $9. A selection of shots will be available for $5. Those include the TGK Fireball (Wild Turkey bourbon, cinnamon and chili) and TGK Kamikaze (Appleton Reserve, Grand Marnier and fresh lime). As good as all that sounds, the vino is truly where it’s at. The restaurant recently won the 2018 Time Out Philadelphia Bar Award for Best Wine Bar. Our judges were especially impressed with the Good King Tavern’s wine selection, because it’s just downright approachable. “While wine lists can be intimidating, the Good King Tavern has broken up its menu into flavor profiles, rather than listings by region or by grape, said judge David Powell. “This allows even a wine novice to find an incredible bottle without having to be a connoisseur. There’s also great diversity in the price points, inviting everyone to enjoy a bottle without breaking the bank.” If you’re itching to check out the secret patio before the grand opening, Grigri is hosting a Negroni

No city does the patriotic holidays quite like Philly, where the Declaration of Independence was signed, sealed and delivered. Accordingly, there’s an abundant list of Memorial Day events in Philadelphia to cipher through. We’ve done the job of narrowing down the essential things to do in Philadelphia over the long weekend—from fireworks shows and Philadelphia concerts to street festivals. If you’re looking for a more laid back way to celebrate our troops and the unofficial start of summer, consider checkout out one of the beer gardens in Philadelphia, or scurry up to one of the city’s rooftop bars to check out those aforementioned fireworks. The Bok Bar opens this weekend, FYI. Find our full guide to the top Memorial Day weekend events in Philadelphia below. Friday, May 25 Sail Philadelphia at Penn's Landing; noon; $7–$125Nine tall ships from along the eastern U.S., Bermuda and Portugal will dock at Penn’s Landing in Philadelphia. The four-day festival includes tours of the traveling boats, admission to the Independence Seaport Museum and optional 90-minute or two-hour cruises. Tickets to sail aren’t cheap ($90-$125 for a day pass), but you don’t have to get out on the water to experience the vessels. On Deck ship tours are $10 for adults, or you can admire the beauties from land at the accompanying Sail Philadelphia Waterfront Festival, which costs $7 to enter. —Jared Brey Photo Pop Philly at the Philadelphia Building; 3pm; $25 Photograph: Briana Sposato A towering office

Put your hands together, folks, and pray that the rain-filled weekend forecast is all a hoax. There are way too many things to do in Philadelphia this weekend to be dealing with all that precipitation—including major outdoor street festivals along Rittenhouse Row and in the Italian Market. Art in the Open also transforms the Schuylkill Banks into one big open-air art gallery all weekend. If the rain does come, you’ll have to grab a poncho or an umbrella and play along, or opt for some of the weekend’s more-sheltered to-dos. Like what you, ask? Well, there’s the amateur porn fest, Hump! Film Festival, at FringeArts; big-time comedians Hannibal Buress and Jay Leno perform along the Avenue of the Arts; on-the-rise Philly indie rockers Hop Along perform at Union Transfer; and tons of local theater companies debut new shows, such as the Arden Theatre Company’s Fun Home and Mamma Mia! at Walnut Street Theatre. If you’re looking for a way to celebrate Harry and Meghan’s royal wedding, stop by the Dandelion on Saturday for a prix-fixe meal that includes English classics, cake and champagne. Find details on all that and more in our comprehensive guide to the (hopefully dry!) weekend below. Friday, May 18 Free admission at Philadelphia museums; all day; freeA handful of local museums celebrate International Museum Day by opening their doors to guests for free. Participating spots include the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Penn Museum, the Rodin Museum and the Pennsylvania Academy of the F

Lovers of donuts and fried chicken, get excited. Federal Donuts announced today that it’s opening a new location in Center City. 🚨NEWS FLASH🚨 FedNuts is coming to @eastmarketphl❗️Excited to be in the historic #StephenGirardBuilding in the great East Market neighborhood coming 2019 ☕️🍩🍗 pic.twitter.com/e2jMnlEQnH — FederalDonuts (@FederalDonuts) May 14, 2018 The expanding comfort-food chain run by CookNSolo’s Steven Cook and Chef Michael Solomonov will take up residence in a 1,180-square-foot space in the Stephen Girard Building, part of the pedestrian-oriented development project known as East Market that takes up an entire city block—from Market to Chestnut Streets and 11th to 12th Streets. The building is quickly filling up with a well-curated mix of shopping, dining and living spaces that developers hope will revitalize the area just east of City Hall. Federal Donuts will join other Philly favorites in the building, including MOM’s Organic Market, Wawa, Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant, Little Baby’s Ice Cream and District Taco. ROOST Apartment Hotel will also run 60 stylish extended-stay rooms in the adjoining residential building, the Ludlow. Those are expected to open later this summer. This will be the seventh location of Federal Donuts, which became the self-proclaimed world’s first fried chicken and donut shop when it opened its inaugural storefront in Pennsport in 2011. In the years since, it has expanded to Rittenhouse, University City and beyond. The menu at t

There are a ton of things to do in Philadelphia this weekend to keep you busy around the clock, but folks from the Friends of Rittenhouse, a group that works to maintain Rittenhouse Square, would appreciate a few extra hands on Saturday morning as they work to spiff up the popular square for summer. If you can spare a few hours, they’ll even give you a handful of delicious treats for your hard work.  All volunteers who swing by to help between 9am and noon on May 12 will receive a free 16-ounce salad from sweetgreen, custard from Shake Shack and macaroons from Sofitel Philadelphia. Duties for the day include planting impatiens, pulling weeds, raking leaves and picking up litter around the park. All supplies are provided, so all you need to bring is a willingness to help (and maybe a little green-thumb expertise if you have it). Photograph: Courtesy Friends of Rittenhouse The cleanup is part of the spring iteration of Love Your Park Week, which kicks off on May 12 and lasts through the 20th. The initiative is a way to get folks out of the house to engage with the city’s green spaces—through volunteer cleanups like the one at Rittenhouse Square on Saturday, but also events such as bird-walking tours, plant sales and an excursion to spot amphibians in Carpenter’s Woods. (See the full lineup of events here.) Most of the cleanups won’t come with free Shake Shack custard, but at least you’ll leave feeling good that you put in some time to keep Philadelphia parks clean and thrivin

This weekend in Philadelphia brings about all kinds of ways to get out and have some fun in the sun. Among the major events happening this weekend is the opening of Spruce Street Harbor Park and Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest along the Delaware River. Both attractions bring enough activities to the waterfront—from live music and beer gardens to general hammock-lounging—to keep you busy all summer long. Over in Fairmount Park, adventure seekers will find plenty to love at the debut of Treetop Quest, an outdoor adventureland filled with zip-lining, rope courses and more. If you’re looking for neighborhood block parties, beeline to the IPA, Champagne and Rosé Block Party outside Hawthorne’s Cafe in Bella Vista; and if it’s art you’re after, swing by the PAFA Annual Student Exhibition at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. Looking for ways to celebrate Mother’s Day weekend? Tons of restaurants are rolling out special menus, but if you failed to snag a reservation, consider taking her to do some shopping at the Art Star Craft Bazaar at Penn’s Landing, or lounge along the Schuylkill Banks to watch the Dad Vail Regatta. The Rittenhouse Square Fine Craft Fair is also open all weekend at 18th and Walnut Streets. On the live-performance front, check out the debut weekend of Brian Sanders JUNK’s innovative Dancing Dead IPX show in an old church, or the equally trippy Séancers at FringeArts. Comedian D.L. Hughley performs at the Merriam Theater, and DJ Marshmello (who you may hav

Last night, at the Trestle Inn, we brought together bar industry folks from across the city for our first-ever Time Out Philadelphia Bar Awards ceremony. With the help of a panel of in-the-know judges, the awards gave us a chance to dole out prizes to the best bars in Philadelphia at this very moment—from promising new joints to iconic dives and even the bartenders and cocktails you need to get acquainted with pronto. We couldn’t have picked a better spot than the Trestle Inn, which is always a blast, with its go-go dancers, old-school funk and soul music and some of the friendliest drink-slingers in town. Spirits flowed all night, courtesy of Bar Awards sponsors Hendrick’s Gin, Flor de Caña and Segura Viudas, who each brought specially made cocktails (or a small bottle of straight up Brut, in the case of Segura) for guests to enjoy. When it came time for the awards presentation, everyone gathered on the dance floor to cheer on all the winners and nominees. It’s clear that bar industry folks make up a tight-knit, supportive community in this city. That fact only helped make the night one big, kick-ass celebration—with winners and nominees alike getting back-pats and high-fives all night long. Check out the full list of winners here, and some photos from the evening below. All photos by Margaret Ferrec David Powell from Flor de Caña serves his special cocktail, the Translation, made with Flor de Caña 4 White, fresh lime, simple syrup, angostura bitters and a lime garnish.

Starting on Friday, swarms of folks will head like mosquitoes to the Delaware River waterfront, which will glow with the lights, sights and sounds of two of summer’s most popular hangouts: Spruce Street Harbor Park and Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest. Here’s what’s in store for this year’s attractions. What’s happening at Spruce Street Harbor Park in 2018 Photograph: Matt Stanley The beer garden and carnival-like promenade opens for the season on Friday, May 11, with all the tidbits you’ve come to know and love. The Boardwalk will buzz with food stalls manned by folks like Franklin Fountain, Village Burger, Chickie’s and Pete’s, Distrito and more selling pizza, tacos, cheesesteaks, fried chicken, funnel cake, doughnuts and ice cream. The floating beer garden known as the Oasis is back with a TBA food and drink lineup, and a whole new display of greenery decorating the barge. Then of course, there are the hammocks, 50 of them to be exact, that hang from light-filled trees throughout the park. Relax there and take in the scene, or take part in some onsite games like bocce, ping pong and shuffleboard. Photograph: Matt Stanley Spruce Street Harbor Park will also play home to a staggering number of events throughout the season, including paddle board yoga, a Jazz in the Park concert series and an event every Friday night called Lights + Flights, which is essentially a beer tasting and light show all in one. The Punk Rock Flea Market and a farmers’ market from Greensgrow Farms

Hot damn! We’ve hoped and hoped for it for weeks and it’s finally here: a weekend that calls for sun and warm temperatures for three days straight. Get out and enjoy it; there’s plenty to do around the city. Of particular note is the opening of three popular beer gardens in Philadelphia—Uptown Beer Garden and both locations of the stunning PHS Pop-Up Gardens. Traveling beer garden Parks on Tap is still rolling around town, too, this time moving out to Mt. Airy for ample suds and BBQ-style grub under the sun. It’s First Friday in Old City, which is perfect, because the nearby Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival is all aglow for its first weekend at Franklin Square. Check out some galleries, then head over to take in the illuminated pandas, dragons and samurais. Saturday is going to be one big citywide fiesta, with Cinco de Mayo events and food and drink specials happening all around town (find 10 of our favorite picks here), and the South Street Spring Festival draws thousands to one of Philly’s busiest thoroughfares for a day of outdoor eating, drinking and merrymaking in the streets. Get excited, because that’s one of the first spring and summer festivals in Philadelphia of the season. There are many more to come. On top of all that, there are a handful of theater and art openings, namely the new Renoir exhibition at the The Barnes Foundation (which you can peep for free on Sunday). Get details on all those things and more in our roundup of things to do in Philadelphia thi

On August 11, eight miles of Philadelphia streets—on North Broad Street between City Hall and Erie Avenue—will close to vehicular traffic for the third annual Philly Free Streets event. Mayor Kenney and the city of Philadelphia announced plans today, saying that this will be the largest event of its kind in the city yet. If you’ll remember, the Free Streets event in August was only seven miles, so this time around you’re getting a whole extra mile. Make plans now: Roads will be open that day from 8am to 1pm for pedestrians, bikers, joggers and general gadabouts to stroll freely without the fear of any motorized disturbances, and local organizations and businesses will host events along the route throughout the day.   Photograph: Courtesy Philly Free Streets Philly Free Streets was inspired by the Pope visit in 2015, when much of the city was closed to traffic, allowing folks to walk and pedal wherever they wanted—including, and perhaps most memorably, across the Benjamin Franklin Bridge. People loved it so much that the Philly Free Streets initiative was born. The first one happened last September. Then, 10 miles of streets closed—mostly along South Street—and about 30,000 people showed up to take advantage of a blissful, car-free stroll through their city. Like most Philly Street Events, which have drawn tens of thousands of spectators, the August event is meant to highlight a part of town that tends to get overshadowed by more popular areas like Center City. Organizers ho