To quench the sultry summer heat, pop-up beer gardens have become popular gathering spots for coworkers, friends and families alike. The Main Line and surrounds have an abundance of great venues to check out this season.
Editor’s note: This article is from 2017. For an updated version of this article, please click here.
Ambler Yards
The Beer Garden at Ambler Yards offers an open meadow where visitors can enjoy craft beer, wine and light fare from Gypsy Blu. Lawn games like corn hole, giant jenga, combined with live music, create a bucolic atmosphere. The light fare menu features items like chicken tinga tacos and salsa, and guacamole with tortilla chips. Ambler Yards Beer Garden is open Thursdays from 4:30-9:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 1-6 p.m. through the end of June. It will reopen again in early September.
300 Brookside Ave., Ambler, (267) 304 6819.
The Creamery
Located in Kennett Square, this former creamery was built in 1902 and was recently refurbished and re-purposed into a family-friendly space. It features locally crafted beer, food, games and live entertainment. Find local craft beers like Sly Fox Phoenix Pale Ale and Victory Summer Love, among others. Food trucks are also abundant, serving a wide variety of foods like barbeque and American comfort food. Dogs are also welcome. The Creamery is open starting May 26, Thursdays from 5-10 p.m., 4-11 p.m. on Fridays, 1-11 p.m. on Saturdays, 12-9 p.m. on Sundays.
401 Birch St., Kennett Square, (484) 732-7040.
Conshohocken Beer Garden
Conshohocken Beer Garden reopened for another summer season on April 28 and is operated by Pieri Restaurant Group. This brew-sipping affair is open every Friday night from 5–10 p.m. through the end of June. Conshohocken Beer Garden takes a seasonal break in July and August, and reopens in September and October. Guests can enjoy a wide array of brews as well as wine, light bites, live music and outdoor games. The garden is family-friendly, and pets are welcome, as well. Guests must sign in when entering the beer garden, but unlike previous years, there will be no pre-registration.
2 Ash St., Conshohocken, (215) 962 5372.
Morgan’s Pier
This scenic beer garden seats up to 500 people and is located right outside of downtown Philly on Morgan’s Pier, overlooking the Delaware River. It has the best combination of casual eats by highly acclaimed chefs, craft beer, wine and cocktails, entertainment and events all in one place. Each summer, this seasonal beer garden invites a different celebrated chef to take over the kitchen with their own version of a chef-hosted backyard barbecue. Just steps from the Ben Franklin Bridge, guests can dine on casual cuisine while soaking up the outdoor scenery. They have a large menu to choose from, as well as a number of draft beers. If beers aren’t your style, try cooling off with an adult milkshake. Brunch is available on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. The garden is open Monday through Friday from 4 p.m.-2 a.m.
221 N. Christopher Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia, (215) 279 7134.
PHS Pop Up Garden, South Street
With a new location on South Street, the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society celebrated the grand opening of this pop-up garden on May 9. This year it features a new food and beverage menu by Cantina Los Caballitos. The garden also boasts an entirely new design, furnished with romantic and rustic elements and a colorful palette that includes wildflowers, purple and pink annuals and the site’s towering mulberry tree draped in festive lights. Many of last year’s favorites, including the Woodermelon—Titos vodka and fresh pressed watermelon juice—and the Bartram—Hendricks gin with fresh cucumber and lime juice—are on the menu again. An expanded margarita selection, mint juleps, mojitos and sangria round out libations. The garden is open Monday through Thursday 5-10 p.m., Saturday 2 p.m.-12 a.m., and Sunday from 12-10 p.m.
1438 South St., Philadelphia, (215) 988 8800.
Victory Brewing Company at Longwood Gardens
Horticulture and beer enthusiasts alike can enjoy this unique beer garden set up by Victory Brewing Company in Longwood Gardens. Returning May 27, customers can enjoy tasty pub fare, a wide variety of refreshing brews, wood fired pizza, barbeque grill stations and live performances. This season’s signature brew is Oro Blanco, a German wheat beer that features a “refreshing, tart taste of the juices and peel from Longwood Gardens grown oroblanco grapefruits,” according to their website. Operating every Thursday through Saturday, through Sept. 30, from 4-9 p.m., guests must purchase a ticket for admission. Longwood Gardens members can make timed reservations.
1001 Longwood Road, Kennett Square, (610) 388-1000.
Suburban Restaurant and Beer Garden
As a newly opened, hyper-local, farm-focused beer garden and restaurant in Exton, the Suburban is a split between a sit-down, modern American restaurant and a casual, picnic-tabled 24-tap beer garden complete with fire pits and a gaming area. Menus showcase the best from local farms, breweries and distilleries. They offer exclusive tap brews like Levante Kolibri Kolsch and Stickman House Dunkel. Suburban opened its doors in March as both an adult- and kid-friendly hang out. The casual ambiance makes it great for lunch or dinner during the week, or for a fun night out on the weekend. Suburban is open Sunday through Thursday from 11:30-12 a.m., and on Fridays and Saturdays from 11:30-2 a.m.
570 Wellington Square, Exton, (610) 458-2337.
