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The beer gardens to visit in Philly this spring and summer

The best al fresco imbibing throughout the city, Pa. suburbs, and South Jersey.

The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society Pop Up South Street.
The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society Pop Up South Street.Read more Yong Kim / File Photograph

Nice weather has finally arrived, and in Philadelphia at least, that means it’s time to drink a few beers outside. Here, we’ve rounded up a few dozen spots for you to go and get your fill of al fresco imbibing throughout the city, Pa. suburbs, and South Jersey.

Admiral’s Tavern

If having a few brews aboard the USS Olympia, the oldest steel-hulled warship afloat on Earth, sounds like a good time, then the Admiral’s Tavern is your spot — just be advised there is an $8 cover charge (but at least it includes a drink ticket).

6:30 to 10:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays starting May 10. 211 S. Columbus Blvd. 215-413-8655, phillyseaport.org/admiralstavern

Adventure Aquarium’s Flying Fish Beer Garden

Adventure Aquarium has partnered with Flying Fish Brewing Company to bring Camden its first waterfront beer garden, plus Watermelon Splash, a watermelon wheat beer in honor of the aquarium’s hippos, Button and Genny, who love the stuff (watermelon, not beer — Genny isn’t old enough to drink yet).

11 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily starting May 24. 1 Riverside Drive, Camden. 844-474-FISH, adventureaquarium.com

Biergarten Atlantic City

Self-described as “Atlantic City’s first authentic biergarten,” this boardwalk spot features German brews like Spaten Premium Lager and Warsteiner Dunkel alongside more regional offerings like Cape May Coastal Evacuation Tuckahoe Snack Session by the liter and half-liter, so come thirsty.

11 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily. 2701 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, 609-207-7322, biergartenac.com/

Bok Bar

Located on top of the former Bok Technical School in South Philly, Bok Bar is a collaborative effort and will feature special events like rooftop yoga and limited-time menus from various Philly chefs in addition to beer and cocktails.

5 to 11 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday;, 5 p.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday; 2 to 10 p.m. Sundays. Wednesday through Sunday starting May 23, 800 Mifflin St., 484-727-8864, bok-bar.com

Brews & Views

The Free Library of Philadelphia’s Parkway Central Library and Brûlée Catering are back for their third consecutive year with Brews & Views, a rooftop beer garden with a bird’s-eye view of Logan Square — plus an assortment of beer, wine, cocktails, and snacks.

5 to 9 p.m. running May 21 through May 23, and May 28 through May 30, 1901 Vine St., 215-686-5322, freelibrary.org

Camden Arts Yard

Initially announced last year by entrepreneur Damon Pennington, Camden Arts Yard will be that city’s first beer garden. Its grand opening is slated for sometime this season, at which point guests can look out for art installations and live music in addition to food and beer.

10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday. 317 Market St., Camden, 856-514-1311, camdenartsyard.com

Cannstatter Volksfest-Verein Biergarten

Billed as the largest outdoor biergarten in Northeast Philly, Canstatter’s exceptionally German take includes culturally appropriate fare like bratwurst, hamburgers, and pretzels alongside an impressive selection of German and American draft beers.

5 to 10 p.m. Fridays starting May 3. 9130 Academy Rd., 215-332-0121, cannstatter.org/dasbiergarten/

Conshohocken Beer Garden

It’s tough to come across a good beer garden in the ‘burbs, but Conshohocken Beer Garden has you covered at least through the end of June with its spot by the Schuylkill, which also happens to be kid and dog-friendly.

5 to 10 p.m. Fridays, 2 Ash St., Conshohocken, (215) 962-5372, facebook.com/conshohockenbeergarden

Dragon Beer Garden

Entry into the Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival’s pop-up beer garden, dubbed the Dragon Beer Garden, is included in the festival’s ticket price ($18 and $20 for adults), so feel free to knock back a few before taking in its massive, lantern-inspired sculptures.

6 to 11 p.m. daily May 1 to June 30, 200 N. Sixth St., 215-629-4026, historicphiladelphia.org/chineselanternfestival

East Falls Beer Garden

Located under East Falls’ Twin Bridges just off the Schuylkill River Trail, this community-run beer garden features a rotating list of food and craft vendors, plus live music and plenty of beer.

6 to 11 p.m. every third Thursday starting May 16, 4100 Ridge Ave., eastfallsbeergarden@gmail.com, facebook.com/EastFallsBeerGarden

East Market Beer Garden

Iron Hill Brewery’s Market Street location hosts this weekly beer garden, which features a plethora of Iron Hill beers, plus nachos from nearby District Taco, cornhole matches, and live music.

5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesdays start May 1, 1150 Market St., 267-507-7365, eastmarket.com/events/

Evil Genius Beer Garden

The folks at Evil Genius debuted their beer garden for an abbreviated season last year, but its back now for a full season with six taps, food specials, and plenty of room (and water bowls) for your four-legged friend.

4 to 10 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, 2 p.m. to midnight Fridays, noon to midnight Saturdays, noon to 9 p.m. Sundays, 1727 Front St., 215-425-6820, evilgeniusbeer.com

Go Mt. Airy’s Lovett Park Beer Garden

Go Mt. Airy Monday Markets at Lovett Park will take over beer garden duties from Parks on Tap this year, and will include food trucks, vendors and live music. Note: Beer sales end one hour prior to closing, so plan accordingly.

4 to 10 p.m. third Monday of the month starting May 20, 6945 Germantown Ave., 215-844-6021, mtairyusa.org/monday-markets-2019/

Haas Biergarten at La Peg

La Peg’s outdoor space kicks off this season with a Cinco de Mayo party on Sunday, May 5, that will include food and drink specials like the so-called “Tijuana Special” — a Mexico-themed take on the citywide that features a shot of Juarez tequila paired with a can of Tecate lager.

5 to 10:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 5 to 11:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays starting May 5, 140 N. Columbus Blvd., 215-375-7744, lapegbrasserie.com/info

Haddon Square Pop-up Beer Garden

Organized through the spring and summer alternately by the Pour House and Keg & Kitchen, Haddon Square’s pop-up beer garden will feature plenty of beer (of course), plus live music, games, and food from Smokin’ Addiction BBQ, among other amenities.

2 to 9 p.m. Select days starting May 19, 51 Haddon Ave., Haddon Township, 856-833-6277, shophaddon.com

Independence Beer Garden

If the outdoor games like bocce ball and cornhole don’t get you into restaurateur Michael Schulson’s spot by the Liberty Bell, its 40 taps and picnic basket deals — which include items like fried cheese curds and boozy Popsicles — ought to.

11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Tuesday; 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday; 11:30 a.m. to Midnight Friday and Saturday, 100 S. Independence Mall West, 215-922-7100, phlbeergarden.com/

Iron Hill Brewery

Plenty of Iron Hill locations feature an outdoor area for al fresco drinking and dining, but its Huntingdon Valley location boasts seating for 50 people, plus giant Jenga, a late night food menu, and outdoor heaters to keep patrons warm during cool spring nights.

5 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays, 785 Huntingdon Pike, Huntingdon Valley, 610-602-9255, ironhillbrewery.com/huntingdon-valley-pa/beer-garden

Longwood Gardens Beer Garden

It’s a rare that a beer garden is an actual garden, but leave it to the botanical heavyweights at Longwood Gardens to expertly execute the feat with their space, which features beers from Victory Brewing.

4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday through Saturday starting May 9, 1001 Longwood Rd., Kennett Square, 610-388-1000, longwoodgardens.org/dine/beer-garden

Lot 323

From food trucks and vendors to art and free concerts, this Jersey pop-up park installation promised fun for the whole family (and your pups), plus craft beer offerings from the likes of up-and-comers including Eight & Sand Beer Co., Death of the Fox Brewing, and Human Village Brewing Co.

6 to 9:30 p.m. Select Fridays starting May 31, 115 S. Broad St., Woodbury, 856-812-4112, lot323.com

Morgan’s Pier

Yes, Morgan’s Pier on the waterfront will once again feature plenty of events, live music, and DJs, but the real draw this year — at least for beer lovers — will be the inclusion of brews from parent company FCM Hospitality’s Mainstay Independent Brewing Co., which is now set up in the former Yards Brewing Co. site in Northern Liberties, on the tap list.

4 p.m. to 2 a.m. weekdays, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. weekends. Monday through Sunday, 221 N. Columbus Blvd., 215-279-7134, www.morganspier.com

Parks on Tap

The Parks & Recreations department, Fairmount Park Conservancy and FCM Hospitality’s annual collaboration returned this year with a kickoff event at the Azalea Garden by the Philadelphia Museum of Art, but if you missed it, don’t worry — other upcoming iterations include stops in parks throughout the city all season long.

Various locations, info@parksontap.com, parksontap.com/

Parx Casino Beer Garden

Sure, Parx Casino’s multimillion dollar, 24-tap beer garden opened back in the winter, but with a retractable glass roof and walls, it’s able to let the good spring weather indoors better than most.

4 p.m. to 11 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday, 12 p.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday, 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday. 2999 Street Rd., Bensalem, 1-888-LUV-PARX, parxcasino.com/beergarden

Pass and Stow

Named after famed Philly foundry workers John Pass and John Stow, who recast the Liberty Bell in 1753, Pass and Stow will be there to serve you craft beers up to two hours before every Phillies home game, just inside the Third Base Gate.

Two hours before each Phillies home game, and open postgame. Next to Third Base Plaza in Citizens Bank Park, 215-463-1000, mlb.com/phillies/ballpark/pass-and-stow

Pennsylvania Horticultural Society Pop Up South Street

The folks at PHS have been at the forefront of Philly’s beer garden boom since they debuted their take back in 2012, so there are few better places to go grab a brew al fresco (and maybe a Frito pie to go with it) than their pop-ups.

5 to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 2 p.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday, noon to 10 p.m. Sunday. 1438 South St., 215-988-8800, phsonline.org/popups/southstreet

Pennsylvania Horticultural Society Pop Up uCity Square

The West Philly version of PHS’s pop-up beer garden is operated by the folks behind Jose Pistola’s, Sancho Pistola’s, and Pistolas del Sur, so expect a similarly up-to-par list of beer and food as the South Philly location.

4 to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 2 p.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday, noon to 10 p.m. Sunday. 60 N. 36th St., 215-988-8800, phsonline.org/popups/ucitysquare

Pentridge Station

This kid- and dog-friendly spot not only features amenities like beer, games, and offerings from food trucks on Fridays and Saturdays throughout the season, but it will also be cropping up at nearby Greensgrow West (5123 Baltimore Ave.) for Sunday brunches from noon to 5 p.m.

6 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday starting June 1, 5116 Pentridge St. , 267-225-7790, pentridgestation.com

Philadelphia Zoo’s The Urban Green

The zoo’s latest beer-related offering comes in the form of the Urban Green, a boardwalk-style area that can fit up to 200 guests as they enjoy a few brews, some wine, or food-truck fare (or all of the above).

10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. weekdays, 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends. 3400 W. Girard Ave., 215-243-1100, philadelphiazoo.org/Explore/The-Urban-Green.htm

Philadelphia Zoo’s The Watering Hole

Urban Green may be new and shiny, but it would be a mistake to forget the Zoo’s original beer garden, the Watering Hole, which first started slinging beers to thirsty guests back in 2016 — a tradition the space will continue this season.

11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Open daily, 3400 W. Girard Ave., 215-243-1100, philadelphiazoo.org/Explore/Philadelphia-Zoo-Watering-Hole.htm

Piazza Pod Park

Aside from huge art installations, open-air shopping, and fitness events, NoLibs’ newest outdoor space will also feature plenty of beer and food from about a dozen vendors operating out of converted shipping containers.

7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily starting in mid-May, Germantown Avenue at N. Second Street, mail@phretailpartners.com, piazzapodpark.com

Rodin Museum Garden Bar

Auguste Rodin probably never though Philadelphians would be enjoying beer, wine, and food a few feet away from some of his masterful works, but the Rodin Museum’s Garden Bar allows us to do just that (as a bonus, dogs and BYO picnics are welcome, too).

3 to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday starting May 18, 2151 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, 215-763-8100, rodinmuseum.org/284-237.html

Sips at Dilworth Park

Hosted by the Dilworth Park Café, this thrifty outdoor option boasts $4 beer, $5 wine, and $6 cocktail specials, plus DJ sets each week to get libation-lubricated guests up and moving.

5 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays starting June 5, 1 S. 15th St., 215-440-5500, centercityphila.org/parks/dilworth-park/sips-at-dilworth-park

Spruce Street Harbor Park

It’s all al fresco, all the time at Spruce Street Harbor Park, Philly’s favorite so-called “urban beach” since it opened in 2014 — complete with waterfront boardwalk, beer garden (expect brews from Yards, Victory and the like), and plenty of treats from local vendors like Franklin Fountain and HipCityVeg.

5 p.m. to 12 a.m. Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday. Weekends starting May 10, Columbus Blvd. and Spruce St., 215-922-2386, delawareriverwaterfront.com/places/spruce-street-harbor-park

Suburban Restaurant and Beer Garden

You may know chef Eric Yost from his stints at Wyebrook Farm and White Dog Café, but his Suburban Restaurant and Beer Garden presents an upscale, sustainable take on the backyard BBQ and picnic fare most beer gardens focus on thanks to menu items like house made dandan noodles and a smoked salmon niçoise salad.

11:30 a.m. to midnight Monday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to midnight Sunday, 570 Wellington Square, Exton, 610-457-BEER, suburbanbg.com/

Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall

Located just off the Atlantic City boardwalk, Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall features a 40-tap draft list, plus 60 more beer varieties in cans and bottles, all of which have been curated by South Jersey food critic Scott Cronick.

11:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday. 133 South Tennessee Ave., Atlantic City, 609-541-4099, tennesseeavenuebeerhall.com

The Patio at Spring Arts

The crew at Trestle Inn are back with the Patio at Spring Arts, which returns for its second season with tiki cocktails and canned craft beer — plus, as a bonus, its right across the street from Love City Brewing.

6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday starting May 17, 500 N. 10th St., 215-300-5676, facebook.com/patiophilly

The Pub at the Porch at 30th Street Station

You may already be able to get good eats from the Porch at 30th Street Station’s rotating list of food trucks, but starting in June, you’ll also be able to knock back a few beers on the location’s west side courtesy of operator Bridgewater’s Pub.

4 p.m. to sundown. Wednesday through Friday starting in mid-May, 2955 Market St., 215-243-0555, universitycity.org/events/porch

Tired Hands Beautiful Spring Beauty Biergarten

Philly got its first taste of Tired Hands’ take on beer gardens last fall with the High Harvest Biergarten, but this year it returns with a spring iteration that includes 10 rotating drafts and a small can selection from the brewery, plus small snacks.

5 to 10 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, noon to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. 2213 Frankford Ave., 484-413-2983, tiredhands.com/biergarten

Uptown Beer Garden

The Center City office district’s biggest beer garden returns for its fifth year running in mid-May, this time with five custom draft beers (plus the usual Uptown IPA), and an exclusive cider from Craft Concepts Group, plus a backyard BBQ menu, all located in the BNY Mellon Wealth Building’s courtyard.

5 to 10 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, 2 p.m. to midnight Wednesday through Saturday, 1735 JFK Blvd., 215-397-3308, facebook.com/UptownBeerGarden