Fahoo Forays, Dahoo Dorays: Welcome U-ville, a Seussian Whoville at Philadelphia’s Uptown Beer Garden
Bright Lights, Big City: Uptown Beer Garden presented its seasonal U-Ville in homage to the Seussian Whoville.
Between the radiant white of a clear conscience and the coal black of a conscience sullied by sin lie many shades of gray – where most of us live our lives. Not perfect but not beyond redemption. ~~ Leslie Pinckney Hill
“People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; never throw out anyone.” ~~ Audrey Hepburn
Story, photos by Sharon Kozden
On the evening of November 16th, I Ubered into the City to celebrate the unveiling of Uptown Beer Garden’s holiday creation, U-ville … a name whose meaning I initially puzzled over. Just couldn’t make the connection. It must be simple, I thought. A single name. A lone hyphenate. C’mon neurons: fire! Nothing. More head scratching followed by continued blank draws. Girl: do not overthink. You’ve got this. But I, like, didn’t … until I remembered that cringey David Letterman Uma-Oprah joke bomb from back in the day. If you’re too young to remember, Google it.
Uma-Oprah. Connection made: U-ville-Whoville. U-ville was billed as an homage to the fictional town of Whoville created by Dr. Seuss in his classic redemption story How the Grinch Stole Christmas! I love it when my brain makes those clarifying synaptic connections. But enough about my grey matter. U-ville was anything but grey. More like an electrifying kaleidoscope of seasonal lights, prismatic colors and charming Seussian installations so spot-on you’d think you were inside the good doctor’s book like some extra on a set, free to roam and take in the fantastical cartoonlike goings on.
I’ve been to a number of preview parties at Uptown Beer Garden and have come to really love the location’s layout, which is comprised of multiple interconnected areas filled with ’round-the-corner discoveries. One seating section off the main bar is long and slender, jutting out like a wing with an end point that Craft Concepts Group‘s owner Teddy Sourias and his team of designers and creatives always manage to populate with a fascinating installation. It makes me want to run the narrow gauntlet full sprint in order to discover whatever treasure awaits. And were it not for the trellis-like archway running the length of this wing, which is festooned with seasonal lights and more, guests would be completely exposed to surrounding skyscrapers. The semi-enclosure casts a protective feel, while the allure of gazing at tall buildings sparks a serious sense of WOW. Even Billy Penn hovers high over every production; he’s the jewel in the location-location-location crown that is Uptown Beer Garden.
Wandering around that evening, I found a lookalike setting of the dinner scene from the book, the scenario during which the Grinch himself carves the roast beast. It was a photo op-staged imitation, so I positioned myself into the tablescape, plopping into a chair situated betwixt roast beast and a pineapple-topped fowl. “Cindy Lou Who” sat beside me. Love that girly girl and always have. As my yearly travels ’round the sun accumulate, I am more in awe of her ability to find the good in others, no matter how challenging the task (read: Mister Grinch). Her entire “no more than two” Cindy Lou Who self possesses the wisdom of “ten Cindy Lous, plus two!” That’s hella sagacity for such a young pup.
Peep below my abundance of wikkid-festive event snaps illuminating Uptown Beer Garden’s U-ville. Honestly, every CCG event … pop-up, restaurant opening or otherwise … that I have the pleasure of attending always includes razzle-dazzle surroundings, a winning themed cocktail menu and yum-yum eats. Which is precisely why I move work- and personal schedule mountains to show up to such shindigs. Thanks, as always, for hosting, Teddy Sourias and Kory Aversa of Aversa PR & Events.
May we all, Maker-willing, meet again in 2023. Until then, I strive to mirror the behavior of my favorite pint-sized philosopher, who truly embodies the redemptive spirit as she deep dives with Mister Grinch, understanding that his mean exterior masks some deep physic pain. I well know the power of the transformative effect of kindness. It matters. It matters.
U-ville made its 2022 debut on November 16th with a media-only preview party.
The ceiling at Uptown Beer Garden’s main bar area is strung out with festive holiday lighting. Let it glow!
The Abominable Snow Ram? Whatever the character, its hulking presence hovers at the main bar area.
Sharon Kozden opts for a sleigh ride over Uber.
Fronting the sleigh is this beautiful wreath featuring a holiday-fashioned figure skate.
The second and more intimate bar area at Uptown Beer Garden pulses festive.
U-ville reminds me of that one house on the neighborhood block that goes above and beyond with holiday decor, and I mean that in the very best way.
A U-ville seating area’s exterior boasts panels resembling windowpanes laden with cracked ice.
I love this massive mural of a neon green-eyed, frosty Grinch looming large in icy blue and fronted by white, twinkle-lighted trees.
The fountain is fashioned as a fireplace replete with “stockings hung on the mantel with care.”
Faux snow coats wispy tree branches. A snow-making machine was stationed left of tree.
The Surfer Boy Pizza van from “Stranger Things” dons a top hat and plenty of Christmastime bling.
A central seating area … cozy, inviting and well-lighted.
This charming and spacious spot was worth a second look.
A chandelier ball turns magical with the addition of candy, bow and dangling decor.
” … He brought everything back, all the food for the feast!”
” … And he, he himself, the Grinch carved the roast beast!” Sharon Kozden sits in for the Mean One.
This crystal (or Lucite?) cube-stacked chandelier’s design is frou-frou without being ostentatious, modern but not cheap or tacky looking (read: I want!).
” … He whizzed with his load through the bright morning light …”
Sharon Kozden displays a pouch of Jingle Juice.
Bright lights meet City Sips in this pouch-contained themed cocktail.
The U-ville Grinch Pouch features City Distilling vodka and melon jingle juice. What kind of punch does it pack? You guessed it: a mean one!
The Wallow in Self Pity acquired its sad-sack name from the cinematic “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.”
The best thing about the Canned Good? A dollar from each purchased is donated to charity.
The Hot & Skrewed, a skrewball with hot chocolate that included a generous dollop of whipped creme and a cocoa dusting, took the chill out of the air.
” … Christmas Day is in our grasp so long as we have hands to clasp.” I raised a toast with my Hot & Skrewed cocktail in its grinch green-colored cup.
Back in the day, I began referring to themed cocktails as “drinks with names.” It’s funny, and said reference stuck.
If naming themed cocktails is a legit day job, where do I send my application? Reading the menu is such fun!
Sharon Kozden prepares to enjoy a cocktail (in Grinch specialty cup) along with some fine party fixings.
Media folk were treated to a plentiful menu of tempting light bites that included meaty sliders, wings and more.
Caprese kabobs, chicken skewers and buffalo wings perfectly accompanied themed drinks.
It really mattered that the caprese kabobs held red, yellow and orange grape tomatoes: it’s always the details, the little things that most intrigue.
Crudites are my light bite of choice for their variety, fill-factor, low-calorie count and nutritional value. Even a creamy dip, if used sparingly, won’t much impact the waistline.
These icing-drizzled donuts enhanced my hot drinks via sweet dunk.
I often cite Cindy Lou Who as a heroine for her admirable degree of insight and maturity. Her ability to see the good in another (no matter how maligned by the majority was Mr. Grinch) helped foster transformative redemption.
