Independence Beer Garden back for seconds
It will soft-open across from Independence Mall for two full days (April 24 and April 25, from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.), close for four days, and open for the season starting April 30.
Independence Beer Garden - a hit last summer in its premiere outside of Dow Chemical's HQ at Sixth and Market Streets, across from the Liberty Bell - is coming back later this month.
It will soft-open for two full days (April 24 and April 25, from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.), close for four days, and open for the season starting April 30.
Among the new features will be eight 14-foot metal trees. Given Philadelphia's propensity toward thunderstorms in the summer, you might be questioning owner Michael Schulson's sanity. Actually, Groundswell Design Group, which designed the beer garden, will set up the trees undercover, beneath the concrete passageway. Schulson said they will impart warmth.
Also this summer, the bar's spirit program will be expanded - it won't be limited to American brands. "If someone wants Jameson, we'll have Jameson," Schulson said.
Chef Leo Forneas, who returned to Schulson's employ a few months ago (as Schulson has other projects in the fire), has set up a rotisserie that will handle pork bellies as well as 60 chickens at a time (for half-roast chicken platters). A pressure fryer will be used to make buckets of fried chicken.
There also will be cheese plates.
Menu is here.