Check Out What's On Tap for Independence Beer Garden's Debut on July 15 (PHOTOS)
Following a couple minor setbacks, the highly anticipated Independence Beer Garden makes its big debut on Tuesday, July 15 at 4 PM, and based on what we’ve seen so far, it’s been worth waiting for.
The latest addition to the city’s blossoming collection of seasonal beer gardens pops up on the 20,000 foot expanse of underutilized space surrounding 100 Independence Mall West (aka Dow Chemical Building or Rohm and Haas Corporate Headquarters).
It’s huge — like, 440 seats, plus standing room huge! And it overlooks the Liberty Bell and Independence National Historical Park. No doubt, IBG is going to have a profound impact on how Philadelphia spends its summers.
Restaurateur Michael Schulson (Sampan, Izakaya) teamed up with David Fierabend, whose Groundswell Design Group brought us the cool, cozy backyard vibe at Talula’s Garden, Morgan’s Pier, Spruce Street Harbor Park and PHS Pop Up Gardens, to make IBG happen.
Both of IBG’s two bars are equipped with 40 taps, and are stocked with a variety of beers in cans, and bottles. All the beers are affordably priced in the range of $6 - $8. There’s also a list of fun, summery cocktails like a mixed to order Grapefruit Radlers and Pimm’s Cups, plus red and white wines available by the glass. Check out the full drink menu here.
Dozens of 20-seat communal picnic tables are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The entire place is crawling with greenery, plantings and pergolas bursting with wisteria.
Along Ranstead Street, IBG features fire pits surrounded by Adirondack chairs, large, repurposed sinks stocked with ice for keeping drinks cold, and two regulation size bocce courts. Just past them, there’s a private space for larger parties, built inside another of the beer garden’s shipping containers. IBG’s offices and restrooms also make use of the hi-cube boxes.
If bocce isn’t your thing, IBG offers other sporty distractions, like shuffleboard, ping pong, conrhole and giant Jenga.
Top Chef alum Travis Masar runs the kitchen, which is housed inside one of the nine repurposed shipping containers Groundswell Design Group used to create IBG. The broad range of snacks, sandwiches and salads he’s turning out cover everything from a classic Iceberg lettuce wedge and poutine to burgers and a grilled mahi mahi sandwich. There’s also a handful of larger entrees for heartier appetites. Check out the full menu here.
IBG is open daily from 11 AM, serving food until 10 PM on Sundays and Mondays; 11 PM Tuesdays through Thursdays; and 12 AM on Fridays and Saturday. The bar remains open most nights until last call at 1:45 AM.
