10 New Venues in Philadelphia for Spring Meetings and Events

Spanning the entire 11th floor of the historic Public Ledger Building, the Down Town Club is the newest addition to the Cescaphe Event Group’s portfolio of event spaces. After a full renovation, the venue reopened in April and can accommodate as many as 200 guests. Facilities include a 3,000-square-foot cocktail space with panoramic city views, a 3,500-square-foot main ballroom with towered ceilings, and a 2,500-square-foot bar area. An in-house florist and customizable audiovisual capabilities are also available.

Goat Hollow, a new American brasserie, opened in January in the Mount Airy neighborhood. Reclaimed wood decor, a wood-fired hearth, and elevated pub fare create a homey yet refined atmosphere in this 3,000-square-foot space. The main level can accommodate 100 guests, while a second-story private dining area seats 37.

Blo Out Bar, a blow-dry salon, hosts private events in its modern and feminine Rittenhouse Square location. At 2,500 square feet, including two private rooms, Blo Out can accommodate as many as 75 guests for blowouts, makeup services, and cocktails.

Open since February, chef Robert Marzinsky’s Fitler Dining Room delivers American bistro fare in an 800-square-foot corner location in Fitler Square. The 32-seat dining room features an open kitchen, bright white subway-tiled walls, and reclaimed wood decor.

The Hub Commerce Square is a dedicated center for meeting and collaboration, providing plasma screens, digital projectors, snacks, and creative inspiration. The space totals 23,000 square feet and contains 11 meeting rooms ranging from 240 to 2,250 square feet. The spaces can accommodate groups ranging from two to 540 people. In May, the center will add 7,500 square feet of new flexible space, including small transient workstations and semiprivate meeting rooms.

A cosmopolitan design, signature craft cocktails, and stunning city views have attracted a fashionable crowd to Stratus Rooftop Lounge since it opened in late 2012. Located 11 stories above Independence Mall, this open-air venue at the Hotel Monaco Philadelphia features two private enclosed pavilions, a large outdoor patio, and an indoor bar. The 5,600-square-foot space can accommodate as many as 300 people.

Chef Lee Styer relocated his popular contemporary American eatery Fond in December to a 1,500-square-foot location on East Passayunk Avenue. The elegant yet relaxed restaurant can accommodate as many as 50 guests, including seating at a 10-seat private chef’s table with a view of the kitchen.

Brü Craft & Wurst, a combination American craft beer bar and traditional German-style beer garden, opened earlier this month. The decor of the 3,200-square-foot space in Midtown Village mixes reclaimed woods with polished marble and copper for an upscale yet comfortable feel. An area of the communal indoor beer garden can be sectioned off for private parties of from 10 to 30 people, and attendees can enjoy access to six self-serve beer taps controlled via iPad.

Open since January 2013, Sophia’s is the reunion of two Striped Bass alumni: chef Christopher Lee and owner Joseph Massara. The bilevel space is decorated in an elegant yet rustic style, and the menu blends American, European, and Asian influences. The 1,300-square-foot bar and restaurant can accommodate parties of as many as 70 guests.

Opened in January, Maha Yoga & Healing Arts occupies the sixth floor of a Center City office building. The inviting space measures around 2,800 square feet, and on-site facilities include dressing rooms, massage rooms, and a sun-drenched practice room made from salvaged wood. For private yoga events, the studio provides a teacher and can accommodate as many as 60 people.