8 New Venues in Philadelphia for Spring 2023 Meetings and Events

Immersive dinner theater and private events company Without A Cue Productions opened the doors to Red Rum Theater on Jan. 12 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. As Philadelphia’s only venue dedicated to murder mystery, the 3,346-square-foot destination is unique by nature. Red Rum Theater's cabaret seating can accommodate up to 100 guests, who will each have their "mugshot" taken upon arrival and will have the opportunity to search for hidden clues to solve the mystery. Cocktails courtesy of Pops McCann Whiskey are available for purchase during events, and pricing packages vary according to an event's size; inquire within.

City Cruises’s newest vessel—Philly Rendezvous—is a 140-passenger cruise that offers dining and entertainment cruises. The City Cruises fleet, which is already no stranger to floating up and down the Delaware River, will welcome the bi-level luxury yacht this spring. The 4,500-square-foot vessel comprises a 2,500-square-foot dining room on Deck 1, plus 1,250 square feet of bar and lounge space. On Deck 2 is where guests will find an alfresco space, as well as a 900-square-foot sky lounge and observation deck. Philly Rendezvous also boasts climate-controlled cabins, chef-prepared menus, full bar service, and both custom and all-inclusive event packages. Upon setting sail, Philly Rendezvous joins City Cruises's other vessel operating in the City of Brotherly Love, Spirit of Philadelphia, a 530-passenger vessel that's also bookable for events.

New Liberty Distillery opened in January in north Philadelphia—adjacent to Fishtown and Northern Liberties—in a 115-year-old, three-story building that previously operated as a stable. In the restoration process, much of the building's original architecture was preserved to create a unique event venue. The 6,900-square-foot space is now broken down into a 2,500-square-foot courtyard with a 90-guest capacity for receptions; a 2,500-square-foot second floor with room for receptions of 65; and a 1,900-square-foot, third-floor space that can accommodate receptions with up to 75 guests. New Liberty Distillery is a working distillery with a copper-pot still and rick house for barrel aging spirits, which makes for fun sights when guests are on-site. F&B minimums for events range from $1,000-$3,500 for a three-hour to-do.

Garces Trading Company at Kimmel, conceptualized and created by James Beard Award winner and Iron Chef Jose Garces, is a bistro concept that was designed to foster connections through food. The 1,700-square-foot space opened within the Kimmel Center's Cultural Campus in January 2023, and has since been serving up early-morning coffee and pastries, midday lunches, cocktails, snacks, and sweets. Before its revival, Garces Trading Company functioned as chef Garces's ghost kitchen during the pandemic. Since, it has been redesigned in collaboration with architect Kieran Timberlake and Marguerite Rodgers Interior Design to put a spin on the typical industrial-style cafe and marketplace design with striking light fixtures. There's indoor seating for 55 guests and room for an additional 20 outside.

Business partners Justin Weathers and Joe Monnich of Stove and Co. Restaurant Group put a modern twist on the classic American steakhouse when they opened Joey Chops in February 2023. The brand-new, boutique steakhouse is located on the Main Line, and decor features an elevated take on the usual steakhouse design concept with dark tones, reclaimed woods and metals, wood flooring, custom wallpaper, and white tablecloths. The 7,500-square-foot space comprises a 40-foot main bar, where up to 15 can mingle over drinks. And the main dining room can seat an additional 40. Outdoors, there's a 25-foot, u-shaped bar with seating for 15, as well as bistro-style dining tables and fire pits. There's also a private dining room and event space that can seat as many as 40. Buyouts allow for events with up to 135 guests.

Philly welcomed Founding Fathers Bensalem in February. The 14,000-square-foot upscale restaurant, grill, and banquet space has an 800-guest capacity. And planners, rejoice—there's multiple event spaces on offer: The Franklin Room is a private banquet space that can host 150-200 guests. There's also a semi-private dining room that seats 10-12, two bars, a lounge, an expansive outdoor deck, and a sidewalk cafe. Event add-ons on offer include 30-plus TVs to display branding, a large entrance lobby for check-ins, an external private entrance, AV capabilities, private bathrooms, valet parking, and more. On the menu at Founding Fathers Bensalem are all the American classics—from pizza to tacos, a Philly cheesesteak, seafood dishes, a variety of steak cuts, and more.

Glu Hospitality opened Brewerytown Food Hall on March 3 at The Lofts at Brewerytown. The 9,500-square-foot, two-level, industrial-style space features an expansive main dining room with seating for as many as 295, plus three bars and a lounge. Here, guests are sure to stay entertained thanks to on-site arcade games and live entertainment. And for smaller events, there's a private event space that can accommodate up to 40 standing or 25 seated guests, and an outdoor elevated deck and patio can fit an additional 60. For hungry patrons, Brewerytown Food Hall offers food courtesy of seven other Glu Hospitality locations—including Figo Ristorante, where guests can get a taste of its famed spicy rigatoni as well as Japanese hotspots Izakaya by Yanaga and 1225 Raw. Guests can also expect 24 beers on draft, as well as brunch accommodations in the near future. Downstairs, there's a lounge and full bar, while upstairs boasts community-style seating at community beer and garden tables. The vibe is casual yet stylish, with exposed brick walls, wood accents, comfortable furniture, and a massive mural by Philadelphia artist Alloyius Mcilwaine that celebrates the city and its food scene. Full buyouts of Brewerytown Food Hall are available and can hold 400 standing or 160 seated.

Event management company FCM Hospitality opened NoChe in December 2022 in Rittenhouse Square. The sophisticated, art deco-themed cocktail lounge and bar was designed to make cocktails the star of every evening. FCM's beverage director Matthew Deutsch designed the drinks menu to appeal to every tastebud, and there's a combination of time-honored classics, reimagined concoctions, champagne cocktails, as well as beers by draft, can, or bottle, wines, and a full line of spirits. The atmosphere at NoChe is altogether chic and romantic thanks to velvet parlor couches and chairs, classic red-velvet theater curtains, crystal chandeliers, a bronze tin ceiling, distressed mirrors, and more. There's seating for 70 guests on offer—eight seats at the bar, 16 at high-top tables, and 46 seats in the main lounge.