Bok Bar Will Look a Little Different This Year
The 2020 Bok Bar season brings restaurant collaborations, social justice programming, and better pay for employees.
Bok Bar | Official
Bok Bar, the roof deck atop the Bok Building in South Philly, is reopening for summer 2020 with a focus on being more than “just a bar.” In addition to hosting pop-up dinners, fitness classes and other special programming with a diverse group of Black, indigenous, and women-owned companies, Bok Bar’s management is implementing a generous paid sick leave policy for employees, and raising wages for employees.
Bok Bar is partnering with a series of local restaurants to serve food on the rooftop, including Neighborhood Ramen (July 1st and 2nd), Barkley’s BBQ (July 3rd, 4th and 5th) and Sate Kampar (July 8th through 12th). Irwin’s, the Middle Eastern restaurant across the hall from Bok Bar, is on hold indefinitely. Chef Paul Garberson announced yesterday on Instagram that he will “not be returning to Irwin’s or Bok Bar if and when they re-open.” Instead, the Irwin’s space will be used for pop-up dinner throughout the summer, starting with a collaboration with Noord and Malik Ali in support of Everybody Eats Philly. Tickets are $100 per person, with two seatings a night running July 3rd through 5th.
Regular hours will be opened by reservations only, with all tables spaced apart six feet and masks required whenever guests are not seated in accordance with COVID-19 safety guidelines. Reservations are available here, and will be released for the following two weeks each Tuesday at 10 a.m. Bok Bar will be open Wednesday through Saturday 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Bok Bar will also be offering a series of panel discussions in collaboration with local organizations including KG Strong, Caldera Magazine, Fleisher Art Memorial, and more, starting with a panel discussion entitled “We Ain’t Done Yet” on July 1st from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. hosted by Caldera Magazine to discuss “stepping up and stepping in long after the protests end.” Tickets are free and can be reserved here, but the event is capped at 20 guests.
