Philadelphia and the Countryside - Press Room

Philly may be best known as the City of Brotherly Love, but sisters from Center City to New Hope have plenty of reasons to celebrate the gay nightlife scene for women. An exclusive nightclub and monthly parties have put Philly on the map for lesbian life. Here’s a look at where gay women come out to play and where they stay after the festivities end:

Venues:

• Sisters – Philadelphia’s longtime lesbian nightclub attracts women of all ages Tuesday through Sunday with live entertainment, DJs, karaoke and some of the best happy hour specials in the Gayborhood. The tri-level club

Long-considered one of the toniest neighborhoods in the city, Rittenhouse Square isn’t just an enviable address. Along its sidewalks—many of which boast seating for alfresco dining and drinking in the warm months—residents and visitors find high-end stores; locally owned boutiques; small cafes; beer, wine and cocktail bars; and restaurants of all kinds. And, of course, the one-block Rittenhouse Square is more popular with sunbathers, readers, families, artists and even dogs than city founder William Penn ever could have imagined. With a number of hotels also in the area, this neighborhood remains an out-of-towner favorite.

Restaurants, Bars And Entertainment:

• 500°

Located just next to Independence Mall, where the country’s Founding Fathers declared liberty and built a free nation, Old City still boasts charming cobblestoned streets and plenty of 18^th-century charm—along with an independent streak that’s evident in everything from its owner-operated shops to its edgy art scene. People love the neighborhood for its fashionable boutiques, great restaurants, eclectic galleries and theaters and vibrant nightlife. Its proximity to the Liberty Bell, Penn’s Landing and the Ben Franklin Bridge make Old City a favorite for out-of-towners as much as for the residents who call it home.

Restaurants & Bars:

For years, insiders have flocked to East Passyunk Avenue for its restaurants—particularly its red-gravy Italian spots. Recent revitalizations in the neighborhoods surrounding the thoroughfare have created a renaissance for the avenue itself, evidenced by a recent New York Times article. Visitors who stroll down Passyunk—pronounced pashunk by those in the know—find eclectic boutiques, coffee shops, vintage clothing stores, gastropubs, excellent Mexican and sushi fare, as well as the amazing Italian eateries that first made this street famous.

Eat, Drink & Be Merry:

• Adobe Cafe – This Southwest-style, vegetarian-friendly abode features house-made sangria, generous happy hour specials and karaoke every

Spanning from Broad to 10^th Streets and from Market to Pine Streets, Midtown Village is the lively center of downtown Philadelphia. Other neighborhoods converge here, but Midtown Village—a new but buzzing city enclave—maintains a distinct personality thanks to a business boom that includes independent shops and restaurants, small cafes, alfresco tables along every sidewalk and a rainbow street sign-lined Gayborhood. On the neighborhood’s western border lies a district appropriately named for its place as Philadelphia’s performance hub: the Avenue of the Arts, which runs along Broad Street from City Hall to Lombard Street. The wide stretch is home to

Graduate Hospital goes by many names (Center City South, South of South, G-Ho), which is fitting for a neighborhood that draws its personality from the people inside it: young transplants, born-and-raised neighbors, hip urban professionals, craft beer crowds and more. In recent years, the area stretching from Lombard Street to Washington Avenue and from Broad Street to Gray’s Ferry Avenue has accumulated a healthy dose of restaurants, bars, cafes, shops and markets that reflect the area’s residential and cool vibe.

Restaurants & Bars:

• Balkan Express Restaurant – This family-run bring-your-own-bottle (BYOB) spot serves up Mediterranean fare that’s both wallet-friendly

Sure, Philadelphia is an exciting place to visit on the weekends, but it’s also a happening spot Monday through Thursday. Visitors can dig into a great meal, catch a concert at a major music venue, dance it up at a club or watch one of the hometown teams do their thing in South Philly. They can also opt for something a little more off-the-beaten path: happy hours at museums, open-mic nights, poetry readings, cooking classes, dance lessons, drag shows and more. In fact, there’s so much to do, visitors will want to book a hotel deal at visitphilly.com/hotels, and

Philadelphia, aptly dubbed the City of Brotherly Love, caters to lovers looking to re-energize their relationships at cultural sites, romantic eateries, outdoor attractions and other swoon-worthy spots. Couples can make it a weekend—or longer—by booking special hotel packages, some of which are romantically themed, on visitphilly.com/hotels. One popular deal, the Philly Overnight® Hotel Package comes with two nights and free hotel parking.

Here are a few suggestions for embracing the region’s romantic side:

Cozy Cuisine:

• Tucked in a corner brownstone a few blocks off Rittenhouse Square, Friday Saturday Sunday has long been a local favorite of amorous couples craving

Surrounding the iconic Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Fairmount/Art Museum neighborhood holds a personality distinct from nearby Center City. A mile of monumental art institutions, a massive abandoned prison, beer- and food-centric hangouts, invested residents and an independent spirit make this part of a city a destination all its own.

Restaurants And Bars:

• Angelino’s Restaurant & Pizzeria – Those with a craving for pasta with homemade sauce, oven-baked pizzas, fresh sandwiches and a neighborhood atmosphere go to this bring-your-own-bottle (BYOB) shop. 849-51 N. 25^th Street, (215) 787-9945, angelinosrap.com
• The Belgian Café – From the same people responsible for

With the autumn season in high gear, it appears that several major national publications and websites have fallen for Philadelphia. Recent issues of GQ, Saveur and Travel + Leisure have recognized Greater Philadelphia’s culture, neighborhoods, beer, restaurants, shops and innovative spirit. Here’s a look at what Philadelphia hotspots the media is buzzing about this fall:

The City Itself:

1. The October issue of GQ magazine touts the “new Philly revolution.” The article calls out A.K.A. Music, Sugarcube, Farmicia, The Foodery, Modo Mio and other hotspots between “the town’s two raddest neighborhoods—Old City and Northern Liberties.”
2. Men’s Health puts Philadelphia in

As if making an international name for itself in the 19^th and 20^th centuries with an underdog championship boxer movie character, dueling cheesesteak purveyors, the Mummers and, well, a cracked bell didn’t make Philadelphia quirky enough, it seems the 21^st century will continue to propagate that fun-loving mystique with strange and wonderful annual events held every month of the year. Here’s a look at the city’s quirky side:

January:

• Setting the standard for quirky events, the Mummers Parade kicks off every New Year with more than 15,000 men, women and children spending thousands of dollars on

Philadelphia is a beer lover’s town, and now those beers are within even closer reach thanks to a boom in brewery and brewpub construction this fall and beyond. In every county, both rookie and experienced brewers are firing up their kettles to provide high-quality beers. Some of the suds are sold throughout the region; others are offered at the breweries only. Here’s a look at what’s new in Philly’s beer scene:

Brew Pubs:

1. McKenzie Brew House – By November 2011, diners and drinkers in the western Philadelphia suburbs will have three McKenzie’s locations from which to choose. The new

Welcome to Philly—one of the nation’s most passionate sports towns. When you have some extra time between covering games, here’s where to…

Grab A Bite After The Game:

• Lorenzo and Sons (serves slices until 3:00 a.m. Sunday-Thursday and until 4:00 a.m. Friday-Saturday) – South Street wouldn’t be complete without Lorenzo’s, a no-frills, cash-only pizza shop serving oversized pies, usually enjoyed by the (gigantic) slice. 305 South Street, (215) 627-4110, lorenzoandsons.com
• Melrose Diner (open 24/7) – The slogan at this 70-plus-year-old South Philly institution is “Everybody who knows goes to the Melrose.” Those who do find a large counter, plenty

Restaurants, Bars And Entertainment:

• Abner’s of University City – Abner’s has been a part of the Philly college experience for more than 20 years, serving up cheesesteaks, gyros, pizza and more to hungry students until the wee hours of the morning. 3813 Chestnut Street, (215) 662-0100
• Abyssinia Restaurant & Bar – Abyssinia cooks up savory and authentic Ethiopian cuisine in a neighborhood packed with African dining destinations. 229 S. 45^th Street, (215) 387-2424
• Ajia Japanese Fusion – With an all-you-can-eat menu, Japanese restaurant Ajia places a strong emphasis on teriyaki and sushi. 3131 Walnut Street, (215) 222-2542
• Allegro

Culinary Delights From Around The World:

• A Full Plate Café – Fried chicken and waffles isn’t an entrée usually associated with a health-conscious menu, but co-owners Shannon Dougherty and Liz Petersen spin this and other classics into a guilt-free good time. 1009 N. Bodine Street, (215) 627-4068, afullplate.com
• Bar Ferdinand – Dried roses, Picasso-inspired paintings and a sherry wine list inspires patrons to unleash their inner matadors at this Spanish-inspired tapas venue. Diners snack on small hot or cold plates, munch on churros and take in the Liberties Walk scenery either indoors or out. 1030 N. 2^nd Street,

Getting to the diverse and historic neighborhoods of Chestnut Hill, Germantown, Mt. Airy and West Oak Lane is a cinch via SEPTA, Philadelphia’s public transportation system. Check bus and regional rail schedules at septa.org before heading off to explore these vibrant enclaves in the northwest section of the city:

Chestnut Hill (via the Chestnut Hill East/West train lines or the #23 Bus):

• Cake Restaurant – Expanded from its bakery beginnings, sweet and savory fare gives the Sunday brunch menu its global approach. Ease the wait for burritos, latkes and cornbread with a delectable treat from the pastry case. 8501

From weeknight to weekend, visitors find there’s always something—lots of things, actually—going on in Philadelphia. Packed with performing arts, eclectic music, ethnic restaurants and see-and-be-seen nightclubs, the City of Brotherly Love loves the nightlife, and its diverse and vibrant neighborhoods provide the perfect backdrop for nighttime fun. From cozy international restaurants and soul food eateries, luxe lounges and energy-packed clubs and bars to trendy takeouts spots and, of course, the world-famous cheesesteak, Philly keeps the over-21 set up long after the sun sets—maybe until sunrise.

Special Spinners/Don’t-Miss DJ Nights:

• Fluid’s TastyTreats party, held the first Saturday of every month,

Meals & Drinks:

• Aqua Malaysian & Thai Restaurant – Thai and Malaysian favorites are the stars in this sleek lunch and dinner BYOB, where there’s something for everyone. Veggie lovers choose from the plant-based options, often featuring homemade tofu. 705 Chestnut Street, (215) 928-2838
• Chifa – Peruvian and Cantonese cuisines fuse at Iron Chef Jose Garces’ Washington Square hotspot, where banh mi and ceviche share the eclectic Latin menu. 707 Chestnut Street, (215) 925-5555, chifarestaurant.com
• Chops – The Philly location of this Pennsylvania-rooted steakhouse offers traditional steaks and filets alongside an inventive sushi menu. 700 Walnut Street, (215) 922-7770,

Girlfriends visiting Philadelphia can pack a lot into a few days. They can visit classic landmarks such as the Liberty Bell Center and also take in the region’s best restaurants, shops, nightclubs, museums and African-American heritage sites, including the Marian Anderson House. To download the itinerary, gal pals can log onto visitphilly.com.

LOCATION: Center City Philadelphia and its surrounding neighborhoods

TRANSPORTATION: Feet, public transportation, taxi

TIME: A long weekend

SUMMARY: A jam-packed tour of Philadelphia’s attractions, restaurants, shops, spas, nightspots and African-American heritage sites

HIGHLIGHTS: Old City and Rittenhouse Row shopping, The African American Museum in Philadelphia, The President’s

As daylight turns to twilight, Historic Philadelphia continues to entertain and educate with after-hours fun for residents and visitors with all sorts of tastes and interests. Want to sip cocktails on the National Museum of American Jewish History’s sweeping terrace? Prefer a round of mini-golf and Cake Shakes for the family at Franklin Square? How about an exclusive, leave-the-crowds-behind tour of Independence Hall? It’s all doable on “America’s most historic square mile.” Here’s a look at what to do and where to go after the clock strikes 5:00 p.m. in Historic Philadelphia:

For History Buffs:

1. On Thursday evenings through