Paul Kushner
On a warm summer night, there’s nothing better than enjoying a beer outdoors, and in the city of love, you’ll find plenty of unique options to do just that.
Whether you want waterfront views or prefer something downtown, the best beer gardens in Philadelphia are on this list.
So if you’re visiting this city soon, or have the pleasure of living there, read on. I’ll share the best places to enjoy a cold one.
Cannstatter Volksfest Verein
9130 Academy Rd, Philadelphia, PA 19114
Phone: (215) 332-0121
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Located in the Torresdale neighborhood, Cannstatter Volksfest Verein is a fun and family-friendly biergarten full of German flair.
Keeping to its traditional theme, you’ll find plenty of lederhosen-wearing beer drinkers here.
This beer garden is run by a German-American club that knows how to have a good time. It features live music, a good selection of draft and domestic beers, and German dinners on Thursday nights.
Chestnut Hill Brewing Company
8221 Germantown Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19118
Phone: (215) 247-0330
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Chestnut Hill Brewing Company hosts a year-round beer garden inside the Market at Fareway behind the Chestnut Hill Hotel.
This one’s cool because you can purchase food from any vendor in the market and pair it with one of Chestnut Hill’s beers. I like Flander’s Breakaway best, but there’s a large list to choose from.
The vibe here is very casual and relaxed. They encourage you to bring your kids and canine companions.
PHS Pop Up Garden at South Street
1438 South St, Philadelphia, PA 19146
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This flower-powered venue near Rittenhouse Square and Graduate Hospital is perfect for spring and summer happy hours.
The brainchild of a small hospitality group and the Pennsylvania Horticulture Society, the PHS Pop Up Garden at South Street is made for vibrant gatherings.
They feature a large selection of bright cocktails, frozen beverages, and, of course, plenty of beers, all geared toward warm days.
Enjoy a New Trail White Ale or botanical-laced cocktail as you take in the fabulous flora.
Independence Beer Garden
100 S Independence Mall W, Philadelphia, PA 19106
Phone: (215) 922-7100
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Take in the all-American views with a brew at Independence Beer Garden. Located in Center City, this sprawling, 20,000-square-foot garden overlooks the Liberty Bell and Independence National Historic Park.
It offers a modern take on Americana vibes with 40 domestic and imported taps alongside plenty of patriotic snacks, like popcorn and pickle chips.
I like to enjoy a Sam Adams seasonal draft when I’m here. It seems right to honor a founding father with a cold beer.
Uptown Beer Garden
1500 John F Kennedy Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19102
Phone: (267) 639-4493
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If you’re in the Art Museum District, stop by Uptown Beer Garden for a drink or two. Featuring a curated selection of unique draft beers, Uptown is a chic spot perfect for a summer evening.
With its tropical feel and fun vibes, it’s a great spot to take a group.
And, if beer isn’t your beverage of choice, Uptown features a lengthy list of frozen cocktails to help you cool off too.
Parks on Tap
Multiple Locations
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Enjoy the summer sunshine and support the local community by attending a Parks on Tap event. I love this concept. It’s a traveling beer garden that moves from park to park within the city.
Always family-friendly and relaxed, this beer garden gives back by giving a portion of proceeds to the Fairmount Park Conservatory.
They offer a limited selection of Mainstay beers on draft, a few canned options, wine, and cocktails.
Spruce Street Harbor Park
301 S Christopher Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19106
Phone: (215) 922-2386
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Located on the Delaware River, Spruce Street Harbor Park is the perfect place to enjoy the sunshine. Hang out on a floating barge or lounge beneath the technicolor trees at this one-of-a-kind beer garden.
They serve craft beers made for summer, like Victory Summer Love and Yards Lazy Hammock, and have several food vendors to choose from.
They also offer frozen cocktails and a wide selection of non-alcoholic smoothies.
Frankford Hall
1210 Frankford Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19125
Phone: (215) 634-3338
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Frankford Hall offers a modern take on the traditional German Biergarten. Set inside an industrial building in the heart of Fishtown, this beer garden is remarkably charming with its light-strung trees and picnic tables.
They offer a lengthy list of traditional German drafts and a few American selections too. I like their Erdinger Hefeweizen, but for something different, give the Schofferhofer Grapefruit Hefeweizen a chance.
Love City Brewing
1023 Hamilton St, Philadelphia, PA 19123
Phone: (215) 398-1900
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Located in Callowhill, Love City Brewing’s beer garden is inside an old warehouse space. Here, they serve up some of the best beers in the city. I highly recommend trying The Velvet Edge if you get a chance.
For those who don’t like the taste of typical brews, they also have a sour on top. And there’s a limited, seasonal cocktail menu too.
Though it’s not a restaurant, this beer garden does have a permanent food truck as well. It serves pizza, burgers, and cheesesteaks to go with your beer.
Pentridge Station Pop-up
5110-5120 Pentridge St, Philadelphia, PA 19143
Phone: (267) 225-7790
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Pentridge Station Pop-up is totally unique, a little strange, and absolutely awesome.
Located in West Philly, it offers shaded seating, fun lawn games, hookah pipes, and a dine-in school bus. It’s family and dog friendly, making it perfect for a fun weekend outing.
They have a decent rotating beer selection here, but I prefer their cocktails. Try their boozy mint lemonade if you get the chance. The drink list is always changing, so you may not, but know that everything offered at this beer garden is exceptionally good.
Cherry Street Pier
121 N Christopher Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19106
Phone: (215) 923-0818
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Built into the side of an old city pier, Cherry Street Pier is a fantastic space if you’re looking for a waterfront beer garden.
The pier works with a cohort of artists who provide constantly changing exhibits to peruse after you indulge in a beer or two.
Seated in the garden itself, you’ll get to see stunning vistas of the Ben Franklin Bridge and Delaware River. Food from local food trucks is always available, and the beer selection is good.
Evil Genius Beer Company
1727 N Front St, Philadelphia, PA 19122
Phone: (215) 425-6820
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Evil Genius is a brewery in Fishtown with a seasonal beer garden. Catering to former 90’s kids, this place is lots of fun.
They offer tons of lawn games, playful decor, and lots of hilariously named beers.
Try their chocolate peanut butter porter – The Purple Monkey Dishwasher, if they have it available. It’s rich, a little sweet, and incredibly unique. Or, give Stacy’s Mom a sip. It’s a citrusy IPA that’s great on any occasion.
Morgan’s Pier
221 N Christopher Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19106
Phone: (215) 279-7134
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With views of the Ben Franklin Bridge and the Delaware River, Morgan’s Pier is perfect for summertime beer drinking.
Colorful umbrellas and high chairs give this beer garden a playful vibe. You’ll love the waterfront breeze as you sip your drink.
The beer list here is pretty great. They have plenty of options on tap, including Yuengling’s, Golden Roads Mango Cart, and Yards Philly Pale Ale. All of those are ideal for warm weather and riverside imbibing, in my opinion.
Drury Beer Garden @Opa
1311 Sansom St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Phone: (215) 545-0170
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Drury Beer offers cool and casual vibes. Located in Midtown Village, it’s a great spot to grab a few drinks with friends. The decor is funky, the beer is cold, and there’s a large selection to choose from.
They usually offer about 14 beers on tap and also have a wide selection of canned options. If you’re with a group, there are beer buckets available as well.
Chinatown Beer Garden
210 N 11th St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Phone: (267) 636-0240
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Chinatown Beer Garden offers a completely outdoor space in the heart of Chinatown. It’s a great hang-out spot that feels like you are at a friend’s casual backyard party – if your friends have great taste in beer.
They serve a wide variety of imported Asian beers that you won’t find in many other places, including Yuzu Lager and Niagara Ale. There’s also a lengthy sake list and a bunch of fun cocktails.
Beer Gardens at Longwood Gardens
1001 Longwood Rd, Kennett Square, PA 19348
Phone: (610) 388-1000
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Longwood Gardens started as a Quaker farm, but today it’s a treasured American landscape that’s a joy to visit, especially when the flowers are blooming in spring.
After exploring the 200 acres of gorgeous formal gardens, you can stop for a beer.
Weather permitting, the beer garden here is run by Victory Brewing. So, you can enjoy one of their local craft ales. They also offer a small selection of cocktails and wine.
9th Street Bottle Shop
920 S 9th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Phone: (215) 560-8745
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Visiting the 9th Street Bottle Shop is an experience like no other.
Their expert associates will help you pair their unique selection of beers with gourmet snacks, which you can purchase at their cheese shop down the street.
This is a shop with seating, not a bar. So, you can purchase beer and wine to go or enjoy it there. But there aren’t any cocktails or draft beverages.
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