Here's a look at new Philadelphia eateries, drinking spots, hotels, conference areas, private rooms, and other spaces to open for events this spring. The new and renovated Philadelphia venues are available for corporate parties, weddings, fund-raisers, outdoor functions, business dinners, teambuilding activities, conferences, meetings, and more.
Kalahari Resorts & Conventions in the Pocono Mountains will unveil an extension in March. The addition includes 520 guest rooms and suites, bringing the total number of accommodations to 977. The property will add two new dining venues: Double Cut Charcoal Grill and Sortino’s Italian Kitchen. The Africa-theme resort also offers 65,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, including two ballrooms measuring 25,000 square feet and 19,000 square feet, respectively, and 18 different meeting rooms. Event space is equipped with complimentary Wi-Fi, state-of-the-art lighting and audiovisual capabilities, and built-in HD projectors and monitors. Elsewhere on the property are amenities including the country’s largest indoor waterpark and a full-service salon and spa.
The Garces Group, helmed by Iron Chef Jose Garces, opened 24 in November in West Center City. The 5,000-square-foot restaurant includes several spaces that can be used for events: the main dining room seats 75, a private dining room seats 24 for dinners or cooking classes, and the patio seats 40 or holds 75 for cocktails. Groups of as many as 150 can use the indoor space for cocktail-style parties. The menu features Italian fare like house-made cheese, salumi, pasta, and wood-fired pizza.
Following a $4.5 million overhaul of the Fishtown warehouse that once housed Ajax Metal Company, Philadelphia Distilling debuted a new headquarters on February 20. The 13,000-square-foot space includes production facilities, a 3,000-square-foot cocktail lounge, a 1,200-square-foot tasting room, a retail shop, and 3,000-square-feet of outdoor space. For events, the lounge accommodates 120 guests, the tasting room seats 40, and the outdoor space fits as many as 100. The hip, industrial venue serves craft cocktails, and food can be brought in from the planner’s caterer of choice.
Cinder opened in Rittenhouse Square in November. The industrial-style interior features polished concrete floors, stone and copper elements, a 30-foot black walnut bar, and custom-made tables and light fixtures. The menu includes small plates, four different preparations of mussels, wood-fired pizzas, artisanal cheeses, and charcuterie, while the bar focuses on hard-to-find sours and ciders, with 32 varieties on tap. Spanning 2,400 square feet, the space seats 84 guests or holds 100 cocktail-style. Sidewalk seating will be available during warmer months.
Popular Rittenhouse Square Chinese eatery Jane G’s opened Dim Sum House by Jane G’s in University City in January. The 6,000-square-foot restaurant includes several separate spaces: a 16-seat bar, an 84-seat lounge and pool table area, an 80-seat main dining room, a 25-seat private party space, a 24-seat additional private party space, and a 20-seat chef’s table. In the kitchen, three chefs focus on Cantonese- and Shanghai-style dim sum. TV screens in the bar and lounge can be used during events for graphics and presentations.
Celebrated Main Line eatery Savona Restaurant completed a major renovation in October. The new space has an updated open kitchen separated from the dining room by a glass wall, 10 additional seats at the bar, a wood-fire oven, and modern decor. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, and while the menu still focuses on fine dining, patrons can now opt for casual fare like pizza and salads as well. The 417-square-foot main dining area seats 35 guests, the 144-square-foot board room seats 10, and a charming Italian-style wine cellar seats 20 guests amidst a selection of 1,200 bottles.
La Cabra Brewing opened a new seven-barrel brewhouse in October in a renovated historic building in Berwyn. The bi-level space includes 1,200 square feet of public dining space on the first floor, as well as a 1,600-square-foot second floor and 300-square-foot mezzanine available for private events. The mezzanine, which overlooks the brewery, is ideal for seated dinners of as many as 15 guests; cocktail-style events for 150 guests can use the second floor, and both spaces are outfitted with televisions and sound systems. A fireplace and couches create a homey feel, while the Latin-inspired gastropub menu elevates the traditional brewpub experience with dishes like chimichurri flank steak and blackened mahi mahi tacos.
In December, Flying Fish Crafthouse opened an industrial-style restaurant in Brewerytown. The New Jersey-based brewery’s new venue spans 8,000 square feet, including a 191-seat dining room, an indoor beer garden that can accommodate 100 guests, and a V.I.P. private dining room that seats 35. Chef Brian Duffy serves elevated American dishes like a six-cheese mac and cheese, pretzels with brown butter and homemade ketchup, and, of course, cheesesteaks.
The two-brother team behind Brewery ARS transformed an empty garage on West Passyunk Avenue into a fully functional brewery and tasting room/café, which opened in December. The 2,000-square-foot venue seats 49 guests. Event hosts are welcome to bring in food from outside caterers and food trucks.
National chain CorePower Yoga opened in Cherry Hill in early February. Designed using recycled products and sustainable materials, the 4,251-square-foot facility includes two studios that can accommodate 44 and 30 guests, respectively, for “sweatworking” events and private classes. The venue also includes changing rooms, showers, spa-like amenities, and a retail boutique.
