Parks on Tap Returns for the Season
The roving beer garden series will visit 24 parks (including one that’s not finished yet!) in 27 weeks. Here’s where they’ll be stopping — and what they’ll be serving — all season long.
Parks on Tap / Photograph courtesy of FCM Hospitality
It’s officially outdoor drinking season in Philly, and the roving beer garden that started it all is coming back this week! Parks on Tap has been a hit ever since it started in 2016, when Philadelphia Parks and Recreation and FCM Hospitality conceived of a traveling beer garden series that would show off Philly’s many parks and highlight its many neighborhoods while raising money for our green spaces. This year, they’ll kick off their tour on Wednesday, April 9th, at the Azalea Garden and plan to visit 24 parks throughout the 27-week season.
There are some notable additions, like Germantown’s Historic Rittenhouse Town and Bridesburg’s riverfront Borski Park. You haven’t heard of Borski Park, you say? Well, that’s because it’s not done yet! But the 10-acre park on the Delaware River is planned to open this summer, just in time for its September Parks on Tap debut.
Regardless of the location, expect a laid-back outdoor setting with beer, cocktails, and snacks ranging from cheesesteaks and hot dogs to smoked cauliflower bánh mì.
All seating is first come, first served — you can also bring your own blankets and chairs — and picnic tables, hammocks, and lawn chairs are set up at every Parks on Tap location. Bathroom trailers are on-site, as well. And, as always, kids and dogs are welcome.
Here’s the schedule:
- April 9th-13th and April 16th-20th: Azalea Garden (East Fairmount Park)
- April 23rd-27th: Columbus Square (South Philly)
- April 30th-May 4th: Schuylkill River Park (Fitler Square)
- May 7th-11th: FDR Park (South Philly)
- May 14th-18th: Matthias Baldwin Park (Logan Square)
- May 21st-25th: Clark Park (West Philly)
- May 28th-June 1st: Lemon Hill (Fairmount Park) and the Discovery Center (Strawberry Mansion)
- June 4th-8th: Campbell Square (Port Richmond)
- June 11th-15th: Belmont Plateau (West Philly)
- June 18th-22nd: Fernhill Park (Germantown)
- June 25th-29th: Historic Rittenhouse Town (Germantown)
- July 2nd-6th: Schuylkill Banks
- July 9th-13th: Shofuso Japanese House and Garden (Fairmount Park)
- July 16th-20th: McMichael Park (East Falls)
- July 23rd-27th: Columbus Square (South Philly)
- July 30th-August 3rd: Gorgas Park (Roxborough)
- August 6th-10th: Pretzel Park (Manayunk)
- August 13th-17th: Stephen Girard Park (South Philly)
- August 20th-24th: Dickinson Square Park (Pennsport)
- August 27th-September 1st: Penn Treaty Park (Fishtown)
- September 3rd-7th: the Discovery Center (Strawberry Mansion)
- September 10th-14th: Borski Park (Bridesburg)
- September 17th-21st: Spring Gardens (Spring Garden)
- September 24th-28th: Cliveden Park (Mount Airy)
- October 1st-5th: Powers Park (Port Richmond)
- October 8th-12th: Strawberry Mansion Bridge
As for the menu? Favorites like cheesesteaks, burgers, and hot dogs. Plus, a smoked cauliflower bánh mì, cubano, desserts, and kids’ meals.
In addition to canned and draft beer, there are canned hard seltzers, Surfsides, and two wine selections ($10 for unspecified white or rosé). There are also three cocktails: a spicy mango margarita, a vodka-spiked hibiscus lemonade, and berry sangria.
Bring your dog, bring your kids! Parks on Tap is back! / Photograph courtesy of FCM Hospitality
Hours for Parks on Tap are Wednesdays through Fridays from 4 p.m. until 10 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays from noon until 10 p.m. As with all iterations of Parks on Tap, a portion of the beer garden’s proceeds will benefit Philadelphia Parks and Recreation to help restore and maintain city parks and their free programming (think movie nights and concerts).
