Best of Philly 2018 Fun and Games: From Scrabble to Drag to Marijuana Dinners

Sweetly Stoned: Best of Philly 2018 winner Jennifer Zavala garnishes her napoleon with strawberry cough, a cannabis strain. (Photo by Evan Kaucher)

Best of Philly 2018, our annual listing of the region’s outstanding food, people, shops, services, and more, is now online as well as on newsstands. Here are some highlights from the Fun and Games section:

BEST HIGH FUN
Jennifer Zavala Catering
Top Chef alum Jennifer Zavala will come to your house and cook a delicious medical-grade-marijuana-infused meal for you and your friends, something she does regularly for those who are sick. The food is delicious, and Zavala – of illegal South Philly tamale-truck fame (read more about that here) – is as entertaining as the drugs themselves. Email her for more info.

BEST DRAG SHOW
Bob & Barbara’s Lounge
The longest-running drag show in Philly is still fresh (thanks to a rotating cast of Philly favorites and up-and-comers), still under the direction of show founder and iconic hostess Miss Lisa Lisa – and still the best $8 you can spend on a Thursday night.
1509 South Street, Philadelphia | 215-545-4511 | Website

BEST THEATER SUBSCRIPTION
The Wilma Theater
Somehow, artistic director Blanka Zizka’s labor of love just keeps getting better. This season, look for the latest from visionary Philly playwright James Ijames, Romeo and Juliet like you’ve never seen it before, and a dark comedy that explores a post-apocalyptic world … via The Simpsons.
265 S Broad St, Philadelphia | 215-546-7824 | Website

BEST BOARD-GAME NIGHT
Thirsty Dice Pop-Ups
Philly will get its first-ever board-game cafe when the delayed Thirsty Dice opens in Fairmount, hopefully sometime this fall. For now, the Thirsty Dice crew hosts pop-ups at places like Fishtown’s Evil Genius brewery and South Philly’s Manatawny Still Works. They bring the games (from Scrabble to Cards Against Humanity), and they’ll sit with you and your friends to explain the rules … and to referee when needed. Because when you’re drinking, who really wants to pull out the instructions?
Website

BEST WAY TO SEE BIG ACTS UP CLOSE
The Borgata’s Event Center
This intimate venue is relatively small–only 2,400 seats–but the acts that perform here are anything but. Last month, headliners included Britney Spears and Barry Manilow. This month: Stevie Wonder and Cher. And in September: the novel combo of Sting and Shaggy. Good luck getting tickets!
1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City | 609-317-1000 | Website