Get Tipsy, Enjoy Jose Garces’ Food, City Views at Balcony Bar at The Kimmel Center

Photos, story by Cassie Hepler

The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, in association with Garces, has a new pop-up bar on the second tier outdoor balcony of The Kimmel Center. The Balcony Bar is open for happy hour Wednesday through Friday until the end of September. While the bar will serve a packed like sardines with 500 plus people for Center City Sips Wednesdays from 5–7 pm, it will be open for expanded happy hours Wednesdays from 7–9 pm, and lesser attended Thursdays and have the place to yourself Fridays from 5–9 pm (weather permitting).

Enjoy free WiFi, music and those amazing views above Broad Street. It’s the perfect place to catch a buzz and snacks before seeing Broadway’s “Wicked” with their telltale green cocktails. Located in the heart of Center City, the Kimmel Center’s mission is to operate a world-class performing arts center that engages and serves a broad audience through diverse programming, arts education, and community outreach.

Opening on June 14, we kept fighting with mother nature and these crazy rainstorms but we finally made it! Introducing one of the best outdoor pop-up Happy Hours in Philly, drinks are a steal in an upscale setting as low as $3.

Get there early enough and overtake a table at Balcony Bar.

The view looking up Broad Street at Balcony Bar.

The view looking down Broad Street at Balcony Bar.

A middle of the balcony view at Balcony Bar.

The cheese was on point, a lot of dough but good for soaking up happy hour drinks.

As I was doing dry July, this mocktail of the margarita was light and refreshing.

Black bean burgers on pretzel buns was an amazing taste for veggie friends.

Spicy chicken sliders were a bit much on a hot, steamy 100 degree day but would be best when things cool down.

This pineapple medley was heavenly and tangy on a hot summer day.

Garces seems to be obsessed with pierogies lately and we’re not hating it although the deep fry was killer to the stomach.

Hiding inside from the heat, this is the view of some amazing architecture while staying cool.

Taking my Terrace mocktail outside to be one with the architecture.

Loving the tang on this drink, very tropical and fruity.

Our guest Gary Monterosso from What’s On Tap enjoyed this Founder’s IPA along with Yard’s Brawler from the beer menu.

This mocktail sangria was to die for, I can only imagine the real one is ten times as amazing!

Pickled vegetables with cheese was my favorite item on the menu, I also spied some special menu items like shrimp tacos on the way out that would really hit the summer spot!

We were welcomed back and will be certainly coming back when dry July is over and we can enjoy all the delicious drinks, soak up the views and have a romantic night for two… on a chill Friday of course!

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