Tucked away between bougie retail stores just steps from Rittenhouse Square is this relatively new, seasonal bar. Its location and feel emphasize the compactness of Philadelphia; the city somehow always manages to feel small, almost quaint, and community-oriented, even when you’re taking in Insta-worthy skyline views from one of Walnut Garden’s many communal picnic tables. With string lights and greenery contrasting the urban touches of the lot and surroundings (it’s literally in the center of the city), you’ll get the best of both worlds here.
That also goes for the drinks. It’s designed like a beer garden with plenty of outdoor and covered seating, not to mention local craft beers, but the highlight is really the cocktails. They rotate, but since this bar is seasonally operated, they tend to lean summery. Consider the Center City Tropic, a mix of gin, guava, pineapple, and lime, and A Walk in the Park, made with tequila, strawberry, watermelon, and lime. There are more evergreen options as well—take the Flying Melons, a zhuzhed vodka Red Bull with melon liqueur and fruit juice—and classic bevs on draft, like berry sangria and frozen margaritas.
The food is also nothing to sneer at. The cheesesteak, served on a long roll and delicately crowned with fried onions and a long hot pepper, rivals some of the best in the city, despite the absence of Whiz. The cheeseburger, slathered with special sauce, and the hot dog, finished with tomatillo relish and fresh slaw, are also warm-weather essentials.
The vibe: Outdoor beer garden meets music festival pavilion
The food: Elevated bar fare, mostly meaty handhelds
The drink: Local beer, canned, draft, and made-to-order cocktails, wine
Time Out tip: If you’re not feeling like booze, opt for brewed iced tea and fresh lemonade or the St. Agrestis Phony Negroni before settling for juice or soda. The latter is a negroni-inspired mocktail that’s just as complex, bitter, and aromatic as the original.