10 New Venues in Philadelphia for Summer 2022 Meetings and Events

Northern Liberties welcomed Pera Turkish Cuisine in April, and the menu features classic dishes from the region, including falafel, stuffed grape leaves, lamb chops, and more. Food and drink is served in a warm, inviting setting complete with exposed brick, ornate bar tiling, black walnut tables, and a partially open kitchen. Northern Liberties spans 1,000 square feet, and the dining room can accommodate up to 36 seated guests.

Originally opened months before the 2020 shutdown, Blind Barber relaunched in November 2021 with extended hours and a vibrant food and drink menu. The 3,000-square-foot venue is actually a speakeasy-style cocktail bar tucked away behind a working barber shop in Midtown Village. The bi-level bar can accommodate as many as 200 guests, who are encouraged to sip on beer, wine, or a specialty cocktail, such as the Hot Heather with tequila and pineapple; the Strawberry Fields with vodka and berries; or the Spiced Caillou, a blend of mezcal, ginger, and red pepper. Hungry? Consider something off the menu of elevated bites, such as the house-seasoned popcorn, local pickle plate, caprese grilled cheese sandwiches, and more.

When Liberty Point debuted in April, it became the city’s largest restaurant, offering seating for as many as 1,400 guests. Set on the banks of the Delaware River, the 25,000-square-foot, indoor-outdoor venue features five bars, lush landscaping, sweeping views, and a stage equipped for live music and entertainment. Inside, the tri-level restaurant sports vintage mirrors that make the water visible from every seat in the dining room. And several semiprivate and private event spaces can be reserved for as few as 10 to as many as 1,400 for buyouts. The food menu includes an array of selections—from casual bites, sandwiches, salads to a raw bar and vast selection of cooked seafood dishes.

This past spring saw the opening of an outdoor event space at Grounds for Sculpture. A popular arts destination in the Philly suburbs, Grounds for Sculpture spans 42 acres and includes nearly 300 modern sculptures. While the property offers several areas for events of all sizes, the new designated event tent can seat up to 300 guests for celebrations, meetings, and activations alike. Catering is provided courtesy of Constellation Culinary Group.

Holy ‘Que Smokehouse expanded into a second, industrial-style location in Doylestown in July. The space occupies the patio of Hop/Scotch, an energetic, 800-square-foot cocktail bar that seats 45. Meanwhile, the outdoor space devoted to Holy ‘Que spans 600 square feet and seats 36. And as its name suggests, the restaurant serves up sumptuous, Texas-style barbecue specialties like slow-cooked brisket, mac and cheese, cornbread, and more.

As of October, Fishtown is home to a modern and fun venue: Middle Child Clubhouse. The fun-filled spot features a pool table, Instagram-friendly neon signage, and a mix of woods and subway tile. Capable of accommodating groups of up to 120 seated guests (or 230 cocktail style), Fishtown includes a 1,500-square-foot dining room, as well as a 1,500-square-foot bar area. A private dining room is available for smaller groups, and planners can choose from event-specific menus that range from burgers and deviled eggs to steak and caviar.

South Street’s Rex at the Royal restaurant and bottle shop extended to include a cafe in April. Housed in the former Royal Theater, the 7,000-square-foot venue now also offers an alfresco dining option for gatherings, as well as a wider menu that includes cafe-style breakfast dishes (think: breakfast sandwiches, parfaits, and pastries). Beloved staples like hot chicken biscuits, pimento grilled cheese, and oysters on the half shell remain on the menu, and guests can choose from a wide range of wine, beer, and made-to-order cocktails to accompany their meals. The cafe adds 20 indoor and 40 outdoor seats to the venue's capacity, which also includes 82 in the main dining room, 40 on the mezzanine, 25 at the bar, and 12 at high-top tables.

October brought the opening of Cartesian Brewing, an industrial-style, working brewery on East Passyunk Avenue. Between the patio and the interior, the venue spans 3,500 square feet, and it can be reserved for groups as large as 47. Planners are welcome to bring in their own food vendors or caterers, and the brewery has relationships with several food trucks and pop-up food vendors that can be utilized for gatherings as well. And, of course, house-made beer is always flowing from the taps.

In July, City Fitness opened a brand new, state-of-the-art fitness center in East Passyunk, which will replace (and double the floor space of) the outpost currently located at 12th and Wharton streets. For groups looking to break a sweat or team build, look no further than this 15,000-square-foot, bi-level gym that boasts space for group and private classes of all kinds, plus a turf area and hydromassage lounge. (Not to be missed: saunas and an on-site, open-to-the-public shake bar.)

Set in the heart of Northern Liberties, 1040 Creative serves as a creative arts, cultural and community center, studio space, art gallery, and event space. The vibe here is warm and welcoming, creating a destination that is dedicated to bringing people together. Open since May, the Black-owned, female-founded business spans 1,600 square feet. And in addition to receptions, the multilevel space can host classes in a variety of artistic disciplines, from painting to journaling to toy making.