SugarHouse Casino’s new 30,000-square-foot event center opened in February. The space holds 1,000 guests for receptions or seats 500. The multipurpose facility has a 10,000-square-foot ballroom as well as amenities such as a box office, a coat check, pre-function space, a covered outdoor balcony, a greenroom, and Delaware River views. Built-in projectors and screens, house music, stages and risers, podiums, and lighting controls are available for use during events. Food is provided by Gibsons Restaurant Group, the center's exclusive caterer.
In January, AKA Rittenhouse Square hotel unveiled its new Penthouse Suites, designed by Nicholas Cardone to include rich hardwood floors, quartz countertops, and sophisticated furnishings. Each of the three 1,600-square-foot units features a dining room that can comfortably seat eight people for meetings or intimate group meals. In addition, the chic suites come with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a full kitchen, and a sunlit living room. Each suite is also equipped with two HD TVs, premium cable, Apple TV, USB docks, and charging stations.
The Little Lion opened in January. With 25-foot ceilings and dramatic architecture, the space offers a new option for events in Old City. Between the dining room, chef's counter/raw bar, two bars, lounge, high-top tables, and outdoor space, the 6,500-square-foot restaurant seats 200 guests. The in-house sound system can play music throughout the space, and televisions at the bar are available for visual presentations. The cuisine includes small plates and full-size entrées with Southern flair, and a specialty cocktail program focuses on seasonal ingredients. Taking a cue from the surrounding neighborhood, the decor includes a hint of Revolutionary inspiration.
Urban Farmer Steakhouse opened in December at the Logan hotel, across the street from the landmark Swann Fountain in Logan Circle. The star of the menu is the impressive selection of heritage-bred beef, but poultry, seafood, and vegetarian dishes appeal to diners who don't care for red meat. House-made pickles, locally sourced beverages, and rich side dishes round out the culinary offerings. The 5,000-square-foot restaurant, including patio space, seats 220 guests or holds 300 for receptions. The bar area fits 60 guests for happy hour, and a 14-seat audiovisual-equipped private room opens into the kitchen, making it ideal for small meetings, private meals, or chef demonstrations.
The Point Breeze section of Philadelphia welcomed Buckminster's in November. At the trendy yet casual neighborhood bar, the menu includes modernized, market-driven bistro food. The 1,200-square-foot space features a 24-seat dining room and an 11-seat bar. For buyouts, the restaurant holds 50 people for receptions.
Travinia Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar opened in Fishtown in November. The 7,500-square-foot space, which is set in a remodeled warehouse, seats 164 guests, including a 32-seat private wine room. The menu features contemporary Italian cuisine, and a TV screen and projector are available for presentations. In the coming months, the restaurant plans to add a patio with a fire pit and additional seating.
In November, acclaimed local chef Mike Stollenwerk opened 26 North BYOB in Old City. The seafood-centric menu showcases dishes like Sicilian-style calamari, pastrami-spiced mahi mahi, and skate wing with truffled spätzle. Exposed brick, subway tile, and Edison lightbulbs lend industrial charm to the dimly lit space. The venue can accommodate groups for lunch or dinner; buyouts are available for 50 seated guests or 100 cocktail-style.
Valley Forge Casino Resort debuted its new 1920s-style nightclub, the Vault, in late October. The renovated space measures 3,233 square feet and is licensed to accommodate 560 people. Dark colors, leather seating, and period-specific decor reflect the era, while the cocktail menu gives a modern twist to pre- and post-Prohibition drinks. The venue includes a new stage and professional-grade audio and computer-controlled lighting equipment.
National chain CorePower Yoga opened its first Philadelphia location in December in Rittenhouse Square. Built with green practices in mind, the venue incorporates recycled products and sustainable materials into its design. In total, the yoga studio measures 4,470 square feet, including two separate class spaces that accommodate 65 and 50 participants, respectively. Planners can reserve the space for group classes or "sweatworking,” or active networking, events. Amenities include changing rooms with showers, private lockers, and a retail boutique.
Cappelli Brothers Cigar Company is now available for catered events, with food from the brothers' new pizzeria located next door. The menu includes a selection of fresh soups, sandwiches, flatbreads, and charcuterie. Measuring 1,000 square feet, the smoker-friendly space is split into two levels: an upstairs B.Y.O. bar and a downstairs cigar den, both of which feature flat-screen TVs. In total, the venue seats 28 people, with room for an additional 17 standing guests. It originally opened in 2014 and began private event rentals in January.
