Center City District SIPS

The Experience

On Wednesday evenings in the summer, Center City is the place to be for happy hour.

During the Center City District SIPS promotion, patrons at more than 60 participating businesses can enjoy $5 beer, $6 wine, $7 cocktails and half-priced appetizers from 5 to 7 p.m. every Wednesday.

A wildly popular Philly tradition, SIPS draws big crowds, and many Center City bars and restaurants fill up. (In other words: Pick a spot and get there early.)

After happy hour, enjoy 15% off dinner at participating restaurants, or visit participating boutiques, spas and local shops for 20% off certain items and services.

Dilworth Park   — Photo courtesy Philadelphia Convention Center & Visitors Bureau

Five Prime SIPS Destinations for 2023

More than 60 bars, restaurants, beer gardens and other outdoor spaces get in on the action for 2023. Curious about where to start? There are no wrong choices, but are some SIPS destinations for every vibe:

• For quintessential SIPS: Independence Beer Garden: At 20,000 square feet, Independence Beer Garden is one of the more spacious SIPS venues and it masters the holy trinity of food, drink and fun. Spread out on long tables, kick back with vintage garden chairs, grab drinks and apps at two different bars, cheer in front of the massive projector, or establish dominance at giant Connect Four and giant Jenga. 100 S. Independence Mall West 
• For SIPS with a view: Balcony Bar at the Kimmel Center: Balcony Bar offers top-notch views of Broad Street with even better flavors. This summer, expect cocktails to the tune of watermelon citrus and black raspberry lemonade, and half-priced snacks and appetizers like white chocolate caramel popcorn and chorizo brochette skewers. 300 S. Broad Street

Independence Beer Garden   — Photo by J. Fusco for Visit Philadelphia

• For the official SIPS party: Dilworth Park: Every Wednesday night of SIPS season, the Center City District hosts the official SIPS party at Dilworth Park by City Hall. Load up on alfresco food and drink deals at the Air Grille Garden or dance to tunes from different live DJs each week. And for the first time ever this year, the kaleidoscopic Rothman Orthopaedics Roller Rink is open for skating during the party (in-person ticket purchases required). 1 S. 15th Street
• For casual SIPS: 1225 Raw Sushi and Sake Lounge: 1225 Raw sports a diverse SIPS menu this year, with drink specials like fruit sake and yuzu- and ginger-infused cocktails, and half-priced small plates like kimchi fried rice, short rib bao buns and fresh sushi rolls. Enjoy indoor dining or seating at the illuminated red neon bar, or aim for the true summer experience on the back patio, which is packed with roomy tables and big, shady umbrellas. 1225 Sansom Street
• For SIPS and strikes: Harp & Crown: This trendy, bi-level gastropub already offers one of Center City’s best happy hour deals, but SIPS makes the reasonably-priced Americana (think elevated pizza and eclectic small plates) even more affordable. Cap off your outing with a few frames at Elbow Lane, Harp & Crown’s secret-but-not-really subterranean bowling lounge. 1525 Sansom Street

For a full list of participating bars, restaurants and beer gardens, click the button below.

SIPS Style

In addition to awesome drink specials and dining deals, 2023 sees the return of SIPS Style, in which over a dozen boutiques, spas and local shops offer 20% of items and services on Wednesdays throughout the season.

2023 discounts include:

• Footwear and accessories at Blue Sole Shoes (1805 Chestnut Street)
• Bed and bath linens Brooklinen (1703 Walnut Street)
• Philly-themed merch at Paper on Pine (1310 Sansom Street)
• Apparel at LR2 Menswear (The Shops at Liberty Place, 1625 Walnut Street)
• Spa services at Modrn Sanctuary (1420 Walnut Street)
• Fitness deals at SoulCycle (113 S. 16th Street)

For the full list of participating retailers, including future updates and discounts, click the button below.

Getting There

Do yourself a favor and keep the car at home for this party.

Many participating establishments are easily accessible via SEPTA’s Broad Street and Market-Frankford subway lines, Center City bus routes, and all Regional Rail lines.

Plus, those looking to burn a few carbs between bites can (responsibly) take advantage of the many, many Indego bike share docks all throughout the district.

For more information on Center City SIPS, click the button below.