Even better than happy hour: A guide to drink specials

Vintage Wine Bar Go classy with wine and cheese at Vintage.

Beer Week is over, yes, but there’s no reason to sit around crying over spilled ales. There are still plenty of worthy drink specials taking place all over Philly. We found a few hot deals that will cool you off this summer. And like Beer Week, they’re happening on nearly every block.

Midtown Village
Get ready for take-off with Vintage Wine Bar’s weekend flights. If you ever needed an excuse to down – or taste – various wines, this is it. Saturdays and Sundays from 2-4 p.m. you can sip on three wines and nibble on four cheeses for $30. Now you just need to deal with the fact that you’ll become a Vintage regular.
129 S. 13th St., 215-922-3095, www.vintage-philadelphia.com

South Street
You can travel the world with the wines at Vintage, or you can explore the state with the Summer of I-76 experience at Jet Wine Bar. Stop in for Tasting Tuesdays where half glasses are half price. You can also create your own flights, if you’re feeling saucy.
1525 South St., 215-735-1116, www.jetwinebar.com

East Passyunk
Few things are better than Italian water ice during a sticky Philadelphia summer. One thing that does beat it, though, is a boozy Italian water ice. Waste no time getting over to East Passyunk’s new addition, Noir, for what is about to become your favorite heat-wave lifesaver. Your options are cherry, chocolate and lemon. And to make it truly Philadelphian, the drinks have a pretzel rod garnish.
1909 E. Passyunk Ave., 267-319-1678, www.noirphiladelphia.com

Queen Village
Ela is waving us over for a drink with their new late-night bar menu. The latest happy hour runs from 10 p.m. to midnight. You might remember that the name of each cocktail came from a song by the band Brand New. Little has changed. Though they offer the classics with classic names – like an Old Fashioned — they’ve also got a new list of elixirs titled in the same way as before.
627 S. 3rd St., 267-687-8512, www.elaphilly.com

Or reach for a “mocktail” instead
If you’re doing a swimsuit season detox sort of thing, nursing a hangover, or just not so keen on alcohol, there are still drink options for you. Get your “mocktail” and house-made soda fix at Vernick Food & Drink.
2031 Walnut St., 267-639-6644, www.vernickphilly.com