DJ Lady FX
Marlene Bell, a longtime Philly DJ, describes herself as a “vibe curator.” She customizes her set to the couple, the venue, the theme — she’ll even dress the part for your soiree — and the crowd. (And she’ll keep your guests on the dance floor till the wee hours.) Want more vibes? She has a floral DJ booth for your garden-party wedding and an LED display photo booth so you can preserve all the fun. djladyfx.com.
The Franklin Fountain
These are more than just ice cream cakes. These are ice cream sculptures. The classic cakes are available anytime, but we recommend keeping an eye out for the seasonal specials like the pumpkin-flavored (and shaped!) cake filled with gingerbread pieces, candied ginger and spiced pecans, and the vanilla bean bûche de Noël (Yule log) with chocolate ganache “bark.” 116 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106, franklinfountain.com.
Diner en Blanc
Leave it to the French to concoct the idea for this annual pop-up picnic at which 2,300 guests wear their finest whites and compete to see who packs the most impressive baskets. But if youre not already on the list for the August 22nd fte-de-fancy, youll have to get on the waitlist: Its been sold out since May. 00000, philadelphia.dinerenblanc.info.
Jolly's Dueling Piano Bar
Coordinating your gal pals for mani/pedis would be a logistical nightmare if not for group-welcoming Nail Bar, where the mimosas are complimentary and the polish job is exceptional. For dinner, Alma de Cuba is fun and flirty, but not a meat market, so you won't have to spend your time fending off creeps. Bring the evening to a giddy end at Jolly's Dueling Piano Bar, where tipsy girls singing loudly are perfectly acceptable. 2006 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, jollyspianobar.com.
Nail Bar
Coordinating your gal pals for mani/pedis would be a logistical nightmare if not for group-welcoming Nail Bar, where the mimosas are complimentary and the polish job is exceptional. For dinner, Alma de Cuba is fun and flirty, but not a meat market, so you won't have to spend your time fending off creeps. Bring the evening to a giddy end at Jolly's Dueling Piano Bar, where tipsy girls singing loudly are perfectly acceptable. 133 South 18th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, nailbarphila.com.
Head House Books
As Philly’s local bookshop scene shrinks — Shakespeare and Co. and Joseph Fox Bookshop both shuttered this year — Head House Books is turning the page on 17 years in business. Owner Richard De Wyngaert’s self-proclaimed “fiercely curated” selection resonates with his fiercely loyal customers, who line up for the latest thought-provoking titles and author events from the likes of Jennifer Weiner. 619 South 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, headhousebooks.com.
Kensington Derby and Arts Festival
The mud pit at the end of the Kensington Derby and Arts Festival / Photograph courtesy of New Kensington Community Development Corporation It takes a lot to get thousands of people to stand around in the pouring rain, but in the case of the Kensington Derby, rain makes the finale even better. After costumed teams have pedaled tricked-out homemade vehicles across three miles of obstacle courses throughout the neighborhood, there’s the pièce de résistance: the mud pit. Some make it through; others break down. Either way, the crowd goes wild. Kensingtonkineticarts.org.
Le Souk Market
From the owners behind Northeast Philly’s Bishos (the very same Bishos that won Best of Philly in 2023 for their highly refreshing lemonana) comes a new organic market stuffed to the gills with goods from across the Middle East and North Africa — many of them made in-house, such as their roasted nuts, pickles, baklawa and spice blends. Don’t miss their extravagant and utterly popular made-to-order crepes and waffles. 7952 Oxford Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19111, instagram.com/lesoukmarketphilly.
Riverside Tool & Dye
We’ve noticed Riverside’s subtly dyed clothes popping up at local boutiques, but the bedding from this on-the-rise Fishtown brand – indigo shibori-dyed sheets, hand-dyed raw silk pillows, watercolor-dyed duvet covers, hand-painted African mud-cloth throws – is still what has our hearts. riversidetoolanddye.com.
The Market at DelVal
Delaware Valley University’s locavore campus grocery stocks produce from the school’s fields and nearby Shady Brook Farm; it’s also home to a full-service bakery and a deli counter that slings hearty sandwiches. 2100 Lower State Rd, Doylestown, PA 18901, themarketatdelval.com.
Bodie
Photograph by Nell Hoving Dixon If your space bends more toward the colorful and kitschy, this modern general store has what you need, from candles shaped like pretzels and tinned fish to stunning Parisian flatware in pastel shades to branded tote bags to take it all home in. But don’t leave without a produce pillow. Who’s to say the pièce de résistance of your living room can’t be a giant fleece strawberry? Locations in Queen Village and Fairmount, Philadelphia, PA shoppebodie.com.
Southwark
This institution—revamped last year by Chris D’Ambro and Marina de Oliveira—does it all right, from the tidy menu of casual comfort foods to the elegant cocktail list. Both are best enjoyed on the Secret Garden-like patio, where twinkly lights, soft music, and the aromatics of fresh herbs (grown by the kitchen staff) make for the chillest summer hang in the city. 701 South 4th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, southwarkrestaurant.com.
Tacos California
This is one of the only shops in town serving tacos de canasta, a typical Mexican street food atypical to Philly’s food scene.Small corn tortillas (stuffed with taco fillings) are stacked in a basket, doused in seasoned hot oil, then steamed. The result is a plate of light, crispy, almost pierogi-like tacos. Treat ’em like fries and order a bunch for the table. 1030 South 8th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, .
Tribe
The space is white and bright, there are oodles of leather and wood, a flamingo mural and a living wall, and-—well, basically, we’d like to move in. Luckily, husband-and-wife team Emily and Andrew De Stefano’s venture just outside Kennett Square has pretty sweet hair and makeup services, too. (They offer four different kinds of ponytail styling alone!) 882 Baltimore Pike, Chadds Ford, PA 19317, tribebeauty.com.
Kelly Writers House
With more than 150 author-focused happenings each year, this quaint gothic cottage on Penn's campus is beloved by literary types and writers in the making. All events are open to the public and free, so check the calendar for once-a-month open-mic nights, workshops, and speakers of the caliber of Buzz Bissinger, Esquire's Tom Junod and GQ contributor Lisa DePaulo. 3805 Locust Walk, Philadelphia, PA 19104, writing.upenn.edu/wh.