10 New Philadelphia Venues for Spring 2019 Meetings and Events

Del Frisco’s Grille opened a Philadelphia location on Avenue of the Arts in Center City in December. With locations nationwide, the steak house nods to its new Philadelphia home with a selection of art from four local artists. The 7,260-square-foot restaurant accommodates as many as 250 seated guests in the main dining room, and a dedicated private event space seats 36. Like the chain’s other outposts, the menu focuses on prime beef, decadent sides, and an extensive wine list along with creative additions like cheesesteak eggrolls, artichoke beignets, and ahi tacos.

After a $56 million restoration, performance venue the Met reopened in December in a historic opera house originally designed by Oscar Hammerstein in 1908. Featuring authentic architectural details, opulent decor, and modern technology, the concert hall offers several spaces for private events. The main draw is the state-of-the-art theater, which seats 3,600 people theater style or 785 for dinners, or holds 1,300 for receptions. Additional meeting space includes the 4,500-square-foot Grande Salle and the 4,500-square-foot lobby, which each accommodate as many 400 guests for receptions. Brûlée Catering serves as the food and beverage operator.

In February, Center City West welcomed Fitler Club, a lifestyle club equipped with a state-of-the-art gym, two members-only restaurants, 14 guest rooms, a screening room, and several spaces for events. The 4,600-square-foot ballroom, which features reclaimed wood floors and exposed brick, seats 300 guests. For a more playful atmosphere, the 3,650-square-foot trophy room holds 150 guests and boasts arcade games, bowling, table tennis, and a photo booth. The venue also has 1,900 square feet of pre-function space and a 1,800-square-foot outdoor garden. For breakout sessions, planners can use the club’s co-working space, private executive offices, and conference rooms. Top Chef winner Kevin Sbraga serves as the venue’s culinary director, overseeing a food and beverage program focused on farm-to-table cuisine.

In January, Parx Casino in Bensalem debuted Parx Beer Garden, an indoor-outdoor space that features a state-of-the-art retractable glass roof, retractable glass walls, two patios, 10 fire pits, sports betting kiosks, and two giant LED walls. Patrons enter the venue through the dining room of the casino’s Liberty Bell Gastropub, which, along with Oliveto, provides sandwiches, burgers, pizza, and other dishes for the beer garden. With a 4,000-square-foot main bar and dining room, along with 3,600 square feet of outdoor space, the venue can accommodate 130 seated guests or 200 for a cocktail-style reception.

The Philadelphia Museum of Art debuted its new dining venue, Stir, in October. The restaurant, designed by Frank Gehry, is visually striking, with a centerpiece sculptural element that hangs from the ceiling and spans the entire dining room. Measuring 5,520 square feet, the eatery seats about 75 guests for private events. The menu focuses on locally sourced, seasonal ingredients, which are used to create dishes like roasted Jersey peaches, Kennett Square wild mushroom frittatas, and burgers topped with Lancaster cheddar cheese.

Since January, Queen Village has been home to Cry Baby Pasta, a casual, fun Italian eatery. The menu includes shareable dishes like meatballs and a selection of bruschetta, along with rigatoni with vodka sauce, chicken Francaise, and other from-scratch crowd pleasers. Measuring 2,000 square feet, the restaurant seats 55 guests in the dining room and 12 at the bar. A 35-bottle wine list, Italian-inspired cocktail menu, and six craft beers on draft are among the offerings from the bar.

Makhani Modern Indian, a B.Y.O.B. restaurant serving elevated, farm-to-table Indian cuisine, opened in Old City in January. The menu, half of which caters to vegans, includes specialties like mango chicken, Kasmiri lamb shank, and veggie samosas. Measuring 3,600 square feet, the bi-level venue features a ground-floor dining room that seats 34 or accommodates 50 for cocktail-style gatherings. A dedicated event space on the second floor will be added later this year.

The Common, a casual American restaurant serving locally sourced, seasonal dishes, opened in University City in January. The market-driven menu includes options like house-made garlic focaccia, tamarind-braised spareribs, and fresh pappardelle with braised beef. In total, the 4,700-square-foot venue accommodates 250 guests for cocktail parties or 120 for seated meals, including the 40-seat mezzanine. Thoughtful details like floor-to-ceiling windows, an open floor plan, colorful art, live greenery, and creatively repurposed furniture offer a unique atmosphere for events.

Johnny Mañana’s opened in the Loft District in February, reviving a brand that debuted in East Falls in 2001. The menu features classic Mexican and Southwestern fare like tortilla soup, guacamole, and enchiladas, accompanied by a bar program that includes 75 types of tequila, 14 beers on draft, specialty cocktails, and, of course, a variety of margaritas. Measuring 4,000 square feet, the venue seats 125 guests or holds 200 cocktail style in a fun, authentic atmosphere complete with bold colors, Day-of-the-Dead-inspired artwork, reclaimed wood, and a 70-foot, 22-seat bar. When weather permits, outdoor space allows for seating for 32 guests.

Rosy’s Taco Bar, a casual Mexican pub, opened in Rittenhouse Square in September. In addition to traditional dishes like tacos, tortas, and guacamole, the menu features specialty cocktails, wine, beer, sangria, and an extensive tequila selection. The 3,500-square-foot venue seats 100 guests or holds 200 cocktail style, including a 40-seat dining room and a back room with a private bar. For audiovisual needs, planners can use a built-in sound system and TV screens. The venue donates a portion of its proceeds to the National Immigrant Justice Center.