Big Top Thrift
Even if Big Top didn’t have a huge charitable aspect — which it does — we’d still want to shop here for the many lighthearted and fun finds (cowboy boots, kitschy kitchen goods). But winking tees are definitely the centerpiece: Garfield, Hard Rock Osaka, Mrs. T’s Pierogies and Uncle Fester are only a few examples. Claim yours by sending a DM through Instagram. @bigtopthrift. instagram.com/bigtopthrift.
InMovement Gymnastics Education
If being at home with your kids 24/7 has changed your attitude toward screen time, it’s okay. Allay your guilt (if you still have any) by registering for one of the many local kids’ classes that have popped up on YouTube and across social media. See the full write up at Virtual Classes. phillyinmovement.com/virtual-summer-camp-2.
Conscious Cultures
We know. We know. Vegan cheese? But when Conscious Cultures’ brie-like Maverick appeared on restaurant cheese boards, it was so good that it had us second-guessing our own taste buds. And when the Barn Cat arrived, with its bloomy vegetable-ash rind and veggie-ash inlay, we second-guessed it being labeled vegan at all. theconsciouscultures.com.
Essen Bakery
Despite being less than two years old, Tova du Plessis’s shop is a throwback to a time when bakeries felt personal—when you actually interacted with the person twisting your babka with chocolate; when chocolate chip cookies still tasted homemade; when you were encouraged to grab a seat, settle in and eat your toast on-site. 1437 East Passyunk Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19147, essenbakery.com.
Cherelle Parker
This year has been big for women breaking glass ceilings, what with Lauren Cristella and Chellie Cameron being the first women to lead the Committee of Seventy and the Chamber of Commerce, respectively. But Parker’s historic win — she became the first woman to earn the city’s Democratic nom for mayor — takes the cake. In a crowded primary that included several multimillionaires, celebrity endorsements, and deep-pocketed super PACs, Parker’s scrappy campaign strategically engaged diverse voters and broke barriers.
Muscle and Flow Massage
You’ll walk in like kiln-dried pottery and walk out like a lump of clay thanks to the deft hands of owner Dorinda O’Donnell, who spent a decade building experience in a variety of techniques at the now-closed (sniff, sniff) Terme Di Aroma spa. Whether you’re in for reflexology, a Thai yoga massage, or deep-pressure therapeutic work, she isn’t afraid to target any back lumps or tight hamstrings from multiple angles until they’re ahhhhh. 1318 West Ritner Street, Philadelphia, PA 19148, muscleandflowmassage.com.
Theatre Contra
We’re pretty sure we’ve never given out a Best of Philly award for live readings before because, well, they generally inspire yawns. But then we discovered this scrappy young theater company that does dramatic live readings of scripts from movies like Die Hard, Snakes on a Plane and The Fast and the Furious. The events are held at a variety of bars and venues: Watch them do the Nicolas Cage-John Travolta sci-fi action movie Face/Off on September 4th at Tattooed Mom. theatrecontra.com.
Dreams, Diaspora and Destiny
Philly DJ legend King Britt and muralist Joshua Mays collab-ed on this experimental ode to Afro-futurism. To hear and see Philly’s first augmented-reality mural, just download an app, wave your phone, and watch as the colorful display comes to life on your screen. 53rd and Media streets in West Philly. Muralarts.org.
Maidencreek Co.
Don’t have space for a garden? Try a window box instead. Maidencreek Co.’s seasonal creations let clients appreciate the natural flora around them instead of mass-produced flowers flown in from the Netherlands and South America. Their pop-ups at Di Bruno Bros. locations across the city have been a smash. 1022 Buttonwood Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123, instagram.com/maidencreekco.
Premier Nightclub
Leave it to the Borgata to go all-out with its new club, which opened in April: World-class DJs like Lil John, DJ Ruckus and Steve Aoki; lots of fog, lasers and other lighting effects; and, of course, no shortage of gals in spindly stilettos and bandage dresses and guys in second-skin tees combine for a fittingly debauched night in A.C. 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, NJ 08401, premierborgata.com.
Crime & Punishment Brewing Co.
If you’re not being weird in the craft-beer world these days, you’re not doing enough. Crime & Punishment is doing plenty. The beer lineup in this Dostoyevsky-inspired spot is strange, but in a you’ll-never-be-bored kind of way. To wit: the Three-Body Problem kombu gose, a kettle-soured beer brewed with 20 pounds of dried kelp 2711 West Girard Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19130, crimeandpunishmentbrewingco.com.
Tim Kweeder at Petruce et al.
By day he lobbies for consumer-friendly reform. By night he conducts adventures through unheralded varietals, unsulfured bottles and otherwise offbeat wines at Petruce. But Kweeder's best quality is a mind that's equally open to both modern fashions and almost unthinkably outre notions -- like the possibility that a year-old beaujolais nouveau (!) could end up being a revelation. 19107, petrucephilly.com.
Stimulus Philly
We may not have a lesbian bar per se, but the Sapphic nightlife scene is alive and well thanks to Amber Hikes and Morgan Levine's long-running Stimulus parties. Twice a month, Tabu and Voyeur are packed with gorgeous, stylish women and top-notch local DJ talent. Think of it as a resurrected, traveling Sisters but so much better. facebook.com/stimulusparty.
Jackie Fantacone at First Impressions
To look at this place, crammed floor-to-ceiling with tie-dye tunics and acid-wash jeggings and to look at her, a size-zero twinkie with perfect hair and makeup you wouldn't suspect First Impressions of having exactly the pair of Current/Elliott, Vince or Joe's everyone wants right now, or Fantacone of being able to fit them exactly to your not-size-zero body. But it does, and she can. Believe us: The first pair she picks will be the one you buy. 470 Germantown Pike, Lafayette Hill, PA 19144, .
Blue Sage Vegetarian Grille
Here, you can witness a belligerent customer berate a table full of innocent ladies for being "too loud" (it happened) and still walk away only talking about how amazing the sliders were. Said annoying customer will become even more insignificant as you eat your tofu banh mi leftovers for lunch the next day. 772 2nd Street Pike, Southampton, PA 18966, bluesagegrille.com.