As the Philly area goes green, beginning to emerge from statewide pandemic restrictions, the very good news is that your favorite watering hole or restaurant might have opened already, at least on a limited basis, and even begun to expand from the outdoors to the indoors. Same as the good old pre-Covid days? Nope, but we’ll bet it’s going to be plenty good enough for those of us who have missed our normal routines … and our favorite dish or brew.
All of them are taking the state-mandated precautions—for example, requiring masks of patrons while waiting and when not at the table; taking the temperatures of staffers before each shift; requiring staffers to wear masks at all times; and spacing tables six feet apart. Some require reservations; some don’t. A few place time limits on how long you can stay, or restrictions on how many people can be seated at a table. And you’ll find more variations on that theme, all designed to keep staff and patrons safe. Hours may be subject to change.
Some of these places have entertainment lined up. You might even find happy hour, karaoke, quizzo, or a guy with a guitar.
What follows is by no means an exhaustive list. We’d advise you to check with your local pub, bar or restaurant to find out their status. Those that haven’t opened up yet often have pickup and delivery available. For that matter, even if the following are now offering street or patio dining, they’re usually also offering pickup and delivery, as they have for weeks.
For now, here’s what we’ve got:
Black Taxi, 25th and Aspen Street, in Philadelphia’s Fairmount neighborhood. They’ve fenced off a nice little patio along the street. Reservations aren’t required—it’s first come, first served. Hours are from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day of the week.
(215) 232-1086
Brittingham’s, 640 Germantown Pike, Lafayette Hill. Starting on Monday the 29th, this well-known Irish pub and restaurant will be open for outdoor dining on their patio and rooftop deck.
They’ll be open Monday through Friday from 4 to 9 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from noon to 9 p.m. Brittingham’s recommends reservations, which you can make through Open Table. Seating is for an hour and a half. They’ll take walk-ins if there are tables available.
(484) 344-5162
Con Murphy’s Irish Pub, 1700 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia. One of the city’s prettiest streetside patios is open for business. They’re taking limited reservations and walk-ins. Hours are Wednesday and Thursday 2 to 9 p.m.; Friday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Restricted to six people per table.
(267) 687-1128
Kildare’s Irish Pub, 18 West Gay Street, West Chester. They’ve been offering outdoor dining for some time, but now the indoor portion of the restaurant is open, too. Hours: Monday through Friday, opening at 11 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays, they’re open for the first EPL soccer match of the day (otherwise, they’re open by 11 a.m.) Dining outside ends at 11 p.m. Inside tables remain available until 2 a.m. The kitchen remains open until 10 p.m. And a few additional details from the restaurant’s Facebook page: “Next week (sometime) we will roll out a new reservation system. Until then, we will take reservations for our outside patio as well as our larger tables inside. Reservations can be made via Facebook Messenger ahead of time. On the day of, you can use Messenger, or just give us a call. Reservations will only be for 90 minutes unless directed otherwise and reservations will only be held for 15 minutes after the time of your reservation.”
(610) 431-0770
Green Parrot Restaurant Pub & Patio, 240 North Sycamore Street, Newtown. Now featuring dining inside, as well as outside dining on their spacious patio in one of Bucks County’s prettiest little towns. Wednesday and Thursday, 2 to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday noon to 10 p.m.; and Sunday, noon to 8 p.m.
(215) 504-7277
The Hearth, 1901 Darby Road, Havertown. We’ve had to wait a long time for this, but one of Delco’s best and tastiest—opened only last September—is now re-opening for limited indoor service. (They’ve been doing patio service.) We’ve been there and loved it. Hours: Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; Saturday 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Sunday 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Reservations are highly recommended, but walk-ins are welcome.
(484) 454-3176
Henry James Saloon, 577 Jamestown Street, in Philadelphia’s Roxborough neighborhood. The back patio and beer garden are now open. Friday thru Sunday, 1 – 10 p.m.; Monday through Thursday, 4 – 10 p.m. No reservations needed.
(215) 483-8460
Kelliann’s Philly, 1549 Spring Garden Street, in the city’s Fairmount neighborhood. Now open for outdoor dining. Open each day 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. No reservations. Walk-ins only.
(215) 563-6990
New Deck Tavern, 3408 Sansom Street, in Philly’s University City section. They’re open Wednesday through Friday from noon to 8 p.m. out on the patio. First come, first served.
(215) 386-4600
Paddy Rooney’s, 449 West Chester Pike in Havertown. Great news for one of Delco’s faves. It’s open for outdoor and indoor dining this weekend, albeit operating at 50 percent capacity. They’ll also be non-smoking. Today, 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday, 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.; and Sunday, 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. Long-term schedule to come.
(610) 789-6969
Paddy Whacks at Welsh Road and Roosevelt Boulevard in the Great Northeast. Regulars know how to find it, tucked away in the inner recesses of a shopping center, but if you haven’t been there, Paddy Whack’s is a hidden gem. The sidewalk is open for service on a first come, first served basis, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Best news of all, like other Philly places, they open July 3 at 50 percent capacity—details to come.
(215) 464-7544
Plough & the Stars, 2nd Street, between Market and Chestnut Streets in Old City. Open for walk-ins, taking limited reservations for table service out along 2nd Street. Open 2 to 9 p.m.
(215) 733-0300
