Summer in Philadelphia means more than rooftop cocktails and outdoor dining\u2014it’s also prime season for pop-ups. From flower-filled gardens and open-air markets to rooftop DJ parties and midweek cocktail gatherings, these seasonal destinations are bringing fresh energy to the city all season long.<\/p>\n
Sunset Sundays at Assembly Rooftop Lounge<\/strong><\/p>\n Assembly Rooftop Lounge is bringing back its annual Sunset Sundays series this month. Running every Sunday (from 2 to 10 p.m.) through Sept 13, the summer-long series features an early opening, rotating guest DJs, featured beverage partners, and special brand activations. June’s lineup includes DJ Capps and Bacardi on June 21, and DJ Adrian Hardy and R\u00e9my Cointreau on June 28, with live entertainment and activations taking place from 4 to 8 p.m.<\/p>\n While enjoying the music and skyline views, guests can also explore Assembly’s newly launched summer menu, featuring seasonal dishes like Carne Guisada Tacos, Tuna Poke, Laguna Blanca Salmon Cakes, and a Lobster Roll. The rooftop’s refreshed cocktail program is additionally serving up summer sips like the Pulling Straws, made with strawberry-infused Roku Gin and toasted cardamom and the Staycation, a tropical blend of Planteray Rum, Maggie’s Falernum, coconut cream, and pineapple. The lineup also includes Assembly’s popular Fros\u00e9 and a variety of zero-proof options. Reservations are encouraged.<\/p>\n 1840 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, assemblyrooftop.com<\/a><\/p>\n Ballers After Dark at Ballers PHL<\/strong><\/p>\n Ballers PHL has just introduced a new late-night experience that blends curated music, craft cocktails, tasty bites, and more. Designed as an alternative to the traditional nightclub scene, \u00a0every After Dark evening kicks off with a vinyl warm-up set from Shaka Sounds from 7 to 8 p.m., followed by a mix of vinyl selections, deep house, soulful house, and Afro house performances.<\/p>\n Ballers members receive complimentary admission, while non-members can attend for $15. Food and cocktails will be available throughout the evening, and guests seeking a more elevated experience can reserve one of a limited number of VIP tables for $200. The package includes admission for up to eight guests, a reserved booth, a bottle of spirits, and \u201celevated snacks.\u201d<\/p>\n 1325 N Beach St., ballers-us.com<\/a><\/p>\n Social Hour at Aqimero<\/strong><\/p>\n This summer, Aqimero by Chef Richard Sandoval is introducing The Social Hour at Aqimero, a new weekly gathering that brings cocktails, raw bar offerings, curated music, and more to its venue. \u00a0Taking place every Wednesday beginning at 5 p.m. inside The Ritz-Carlton, the midweek experience features a lounge atmosphere complete with seafood towers, caviar service, seasonal cocktails, and music from DJ Eddie Tully. Guests can also enjoy rotating food specials from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., with select offerings available later into the evening.<\/p>\n 10 Ave Of The Arts., aqimero.com<\/a><\/p>\n PHS Pop-Up Gardens<\/strong><\/p>\n Open through late fall, the PHS Pop-Up Gardens<\/a> \u2014 filled with a plethora of plants, including many repurposed from the Philadelphia Flower Show\u2014 offer a place for the community to gather, enjoy food and drinks, and take part in workshops and seasonal programming.<\/p>\n With locations in Manayunk and South Street, the gardens feature a menu filled with shareable snacks, globally inspired dishes, cocktails, frozen drinks, and non-alcoholic options, including fried clams and chicken kabobs in Manayunk and sticky chai pretzel bites and Jamaican jerk wings on South Street. Throughout the season, guests can also take part in hands-on \u201cRooted\u201d workshops, monthly plant swaps, live music, and weekly events like karaoke and jazz nights, along with special experiences like the Sunday Garden Market in Manayunk. A full schedule of happenings can be found online.<\/p>\n 106 Jamestown Ave., and 1438 South St., phspopupgardens.com<\/a><\/p>\n Frankie\u2019s Summer Club<\/strong><\/p>\n This seasonal locale is located in the courtyard of what used to be Haviland & Furness Halls. As the venue officially notes, Frankie\u2019s Summer Club pays homage to architect Frank Furness\u2019 spirit of creativity and community with Italian-inspired appetizers by Chef Michael Ferreri of Irwin\u2019s, cocktails, natural wine, and soft serve. Frankie\u2019s operates Fridays and Saturdays from 4 to 10 p.m. and Sundays from 2 to 8 p.m.<\/p>\n 355 S. 15th St., frankiessummerclub.com<\/a><\/p>\n The Plaza at Reading Terminal Market<\/strong><\/p>\n Reading Terminal Market<\/a> is taking its already bustling food scene outside this summer with the launch of The Plaza, an eight-week pop-up designed to expand the market\u2019s outdoor footprint in Center City. The pop-up, presented in partnership with Jefferson, has transformed 15,000 square feet into a gathering space with expanded outdoor seating, live entertainment, local vendors, sponsor activations, and a bar operated by Molly Malloy\u2019s.<\/p>\n So what exactly can be expected here? Market Day Stalls in the space features more than 15 rotating local entrepreneurs offering handmade goods, artwork, apparel, candles, cosmetics, and other specialty products, a release notes. \u00a0Reading Terminal Market is also operating a Market Merch cart featuring limited-edition soccer and market-themed apparel, with proceeds benefitting the Market\u2019s nonprofit, the Reading Terminal Market Corporation.<\/p>\n There\u2019s also a stacked line-up of entertainment peppered throughout the Plaza\u2019s run, along with lawn games like corn hole and oversized Jenga, plus oversized Adirondack chairs to sit back and relax. Molly Malloy\u2019s will serve up Sam Adams and Dogfish beer, Twisted Tea, Sun Cruiser canned cocktails, Truly hard seltzer, \u00a0and Angry Orchard cider. Non-alcoholic beverages like Smartwater, Pepsi, and Gatorade will also be available for purchase. The Plaza will be open daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Aug. 2.<\/p>\n 1136 Arch St., readingterminalmarket.org<\/a><\/p>\n