Where to Drink Outside During Erin Express This Saturday
Philadelphia, raise your pint glasses and thank the beer gods, because this Saturday’s Erin Express is serving up 70 degrees, sunshine, and ice-cold drafts—all with a side of outdoor drinking. That’s right, this year’s crawl isn’t just about keeping your Guinness count up, it’s also the unofficial kickoff to patio season.
And if you’re someone who prefers their beer with a side of fresh air, we’ve got three outdoor bars that absolutely need to be on your route. Let’s break it down.
Uptown Beer Garden – Back from Hibernation!
Where: Right across from the Misconduct JFK check-in
Why You Need to Go: It’s their first day open this year!
Vibe Check: Fresh air, big beer garden energy, and the best spot to kick things off
Nothing screams “first beer of the season” like Uptown Beer Garden throwing open the gates just for the Erin Express. We can’t think of a better grand reopening party than hundreds of happy crawlers toasting to spring arriving early (or at least pretending it has). Plus, it’s right across from the Misconduct JFK check-in!
Drury Beer Garden – Erin Express Rookie of the Year
Where: 13th and Sansom
Why You Need to Go: First-time Erin Express bar!
Vibe Check: Beer garden meets city-chic meets “Why didn’t I come here sooner?”
Drury Beer Garden is hopping on the Erin Express train for the first time ever this year, and we’re fully expecting them to go big. If you haven’t been, imagine a cozy courtyard, solid beer selection, and plenty of space to keep the party rolling. The only thing missing? You, in your finest green gear, double-fisting a Guinness and a soft pretzel.
Libertee Grounds – Extra Credit Drinking
Where: Just off the beaten path in Fairmount
Why You Need to Go: Massive outdoor space + games galore
Vibe Check: Beer, mini golf, and plenty of room for your rowdiest group chat members
Libertee Grounds is a little off the main Erin Express route, but hear us out: outdoor space for days, a killer beer selection, and enough games to turn this crawl into a full-on competition. If you’re the type of person who gets “one more round” peer-pressured into staying longer than planned, this is your danger zone. This stop is worth the extra steps.
Bonus: Garage Rittenhouse – The Wild Card Pick
Where: 15th and Spruce
Why You Need to Go: Brand new, massive sports bar with a fun crowd
Vibe Check: High-energy, lots of screens, and guaranteed good times
Okay, Garage Rittenhouse isn’t outdoors, but we had to include it because it’s brand new, huge, and ONLY on the Erin Express—no other crawls get this stop. That means this place is going to be packed with serious crawlers oozing full-on St. Paddy’s Day energy. If you need a break from the sun but still want to keep the party rolling, Garage is where you grab a beer, watch the madness unfold, and recharge for the next round.
However your Erin Express shakes out, make sure you stay hydrated, pace yourself, and for the love of all things Irish, don’t forget to reapply sunscreen.
See you out there, Philadelphia—cheers to the best Erin Express yet!
