Here's a look at the best new Philadelphia restaurants, hotels, party rooms, corporate event venues, conference centers, and private rooms to open this winter. These new and renovated Philadelphia venues can accommodate groups large or small for private and corporate events, meetings, business dinners, cocktail parties, conferences, weddings, and more.
In addition to its original suburban location, Stella Rossa opened a Center City outpost in November. The 1,500-square-foot casual Italian space accommodates as many as 200 people. Two bars provide an ideal setting for a cocktail party, and the 20-seat private dining room offers a screen and projector for presentations. The menu specializes in authentic cuisine, wines, and Neapolitan wood-fired pizza.
Just east of Rittenhouse Square, Avance opened in December in the space formerly occupied by famed restaurant Le Bec Fin. The elegantly understated 4,000-square-foot dining room features reclaimed wood tables, soft lighting, and living walls of greenery. Chef and owner Justin Bogle's personal relationships with area farmers and artisanal craftsmen inform the seasonal American food and bar menus. Private dining is available for parties of as many as 50 people.
The PFS Theater at the Roxy reopened in December after a renovation of its two screening rooms, bathrooms, and lobby. Although the PFS usually serves as an independent movie theater, it can be rented for screenings or theater-style presentations. The 6,000-square-foot, A.D.A.-compliant space accommodates 170 people between its two theaters and offers 35-millimeter projection, digital projection, Dolby 7 sound capabilities, and assisted-hearing devices.
Barren Hill Tavern and Brewery opened in November on the site of the former General Lafayette Inn, the fifth-oldest tavern in the United States. With 9,400 square feet, including two bars and several dining rooms, the multilevel space accommodates large and small receptions, happy hours, dinners, and cocktail parties. While the decor—including an original fireplace dating back to the Revolutionary War—is rustic, the food and beer programs are progressive. The tavern serves more than 30 craft and imported draft beers at any one time, with at least 10 drafts of Barren Hill beer brewed in the on-site brewery.
Courtyard Philadelphia South at the Navy Yard opened in January and is the first hotel in the vibrant 1,200-acre mixed-use development in South Philadelphia. The hotel has 172 guest rooms and suites, an American-style restaurant, and 1,800 square feet of prefunction and event space. For meetings, the hotel accommodates groups of as many as 100 people and offers LCD projectors, screens, wireless microphones, and soundproofed rooms. Complimentary shuttle service is available to Center City during peak weekday hours.
Iron Chef Jose Garces's casual Cuban diner Rosa Blanca opened in December in the space formerly occupied by Tinto, another Garces restaurant. The 2,750-square-foot restaurant has a private dining room for 38 seated guests, and an adjoining lounge offers space for 40 for receptions. Audiovisual services are handled by an outside partner.
In November, Marc Vetri opened a suburban location of his popular Center City eatery Osteria in Moorestown, New Jersey, just outside the city. Like its predecessor, Osteria Morrestown serves seasonal northern Italian food with a neighborhood feel, as well as an extensive list of cocktails, beer, and wine. The 5,000-square-foot space accommodates 122 guests, including at a 22-seat bar. A private dining room seats 36 people, and both dining rooms have built-in screen and projectors. Reclaimed wood walls, vintage appliances, and an open kitchen add to a rustic ambiance.
In January, the Wyndham Philadelphia Historic District completed a major interior renovation that included all guest rooms, meeting rooms, public spaces, corridors, lighting, flooring, and wall coverings. A new restaurant and private dining room room were added during the makeover, resulting in a total of 9,000 square feet of event space that accommodates 550 guests. For audiovisual needs, an on-site company provides equipment and expertise. Exterior hotel renovations are scheduled to be complete by mid-2014.
The Twisted Tail, a rustic barbecue joint in the Headhouse District, began renting its upstairs room for private events in January. The menu features char-grilled and Southern cuisine, along with specialties like artisanal cheeses, aged country hams, and infused spirits made in house. The 4,000-square-foot space accommodates 100 guests and is equipped with a private bar, a performance stage, and a fireplace.
BarLy opened late last year at the junction of the Pennsylvania Convention Center and Chinatown. The sports bar offers a 1,700-square-foot main dining room as well as a 400-square-foot private dining space and a 38-seat bar. With 60 beers on tap, 20 large-screen TVs, and a karaoke machine, the space is ideal for casual receptions and dinners.
