Whether you’re looking for a fresh cup, a tasty upgrade, or something perhaps a bit stronger, here is where to celebrate National Coffee Day in Philadelphia for 2022.
Art in the Age
Philly’s own tasting room, home bar supply, and bottle shop offers a few ways to indulge in coffee treats while there. Philadelphians can pick up espresso sippers during open hours, with offerings spanning from single or double shots of espresso ($3), Americanos ($3), iced and hot lattes ($4), as well as cold brew ($3), with modifiers of seasonal syrups available—including Charred Oak and Maple Syrup for the fall season.
And an additional offering (for an extra $2) to add to your cup of joe includes The Pathfinder Hemp and Root, a zero-proof elixir made from fermented and distilled hemp, to “elevate the flavor of a classic pick-me-up with the spirit’s complex palette of botanical ingredients.” As a release states, expert mixologists at Art in the Age are stirring up Pathfinder Cold Brew, made with The Pathfinder Hemp and Root, cold brew coffee, and cream and sugar as desired, as well as The Pathfinder E&T, comprised of The Pathfinder Hemp and Root, one shot of espresso, tonic water, and garnished with a lemon wheel in celebration of the day.
116 N. 3rd St., artintheage.com
East Passyunk Avenue
South Philly’s East Passyunk Avenue is a well-known hub for coffee and espresso lovers with various cafés and quaint shops. There’s the cozy Crème Brûlée Bistro and Café, an assortment of popular and local small batch roasterys, a corner café boasting vegan-friendly and gluten-free options, B2 Café, and a neighborhood and mosaic-adorned caffeine bar, Black ‘n’ Brew. What each of these venues offers differs, but they are all in walking distance from each other in the quaint neighborhood of the city.
Forsythia
You can celebrate National Coffee Day in Philadelphia at Forsythia, Old City’s French-contemporary bar and restaurant with a spirited kick—in the form of a cocktail. The venue’s signature, dubbed Third Times the Charm ($15), features vodka, chocolate, local Rival Bros.’ Espresso, and ginger. The flavorful libation is also featured on their highly sought-after happy hour menu for $11, available Wednesday through Friday from 5 – 7 p.m. If you’re looking for something a little more original while here however, a state-of-the-art espresso machine is also on site for an after-dinner espresso.
233 Chestnut St., forsythiaphilly.com
Milkboy Philly
Milkboy is multi-faceted when it comes to what they offer Philadelphia. The venue uses its space to as a bar, restaurant, live music venue, and even a recording studio. And Milkboy is also a bit multi-faceted with what they offer for National Coffee Day as well. Known for offering service as early as 7 a.m., MilkBoy Philly features a classic Espresso Martini ($15), composed of vanilla vodka, Crème de Cacao, Kahlua, and smooth espresso, and for stout drinkers, a Black Hog Coffee Milk Stout, ($7) enriched with cold-extracted organic Colombian Supremo coffee. Both will be available for the holiday on Sept. 29.
1100 Chestnut St., milkboy.tv
New Liberty Distillery
The local craft distillery offers some amazing gifts and options for coffee-lovers (or for the person in your life who loves the drink), and it’s all unique. The smooth Liberty Belle Coffee Liqueur ($24.99) is known to work well for creating at-home espresso martinis, and the it’s available for purchase in the New Liberty Distillery bottle shop and also, at Art in the Age, located in Old City.
1431 Cadwallader St., newlibertydistillery.com
Rex at the Royal
Rex may be known for its low-country cuisine, but for National Coffee Day in Philadelphia, guests can choose between a variety of artisanal caffeinated beverages (spanning everything from drip coffee to cold brew to lattes to cappuccinos and more) all made using Philly local Green Street Coffee. There will also be seasonally rotating homemade syrups to sift through with flavors including lavender, hibiscus, pumpkin spice, and ginger.
1524 South St., rexphl.com
Red Owl Tavern
Located near Independence Hall, Red Owl Tavern is a spot known for its cocktails—and that includes some made with coffee. Highlights from their most-recent cocktail menu include the Cafe Amor ($15) comprised of Tito’s Vodka, demerara syrup, and of course, espresso, and the Ristretto Boulevardier ($15) featuring dickel rye, Campari, and sweet vermouth pulled through smooth espresso.
433 Chestnut St., redowltavern.com
Rival Bros Coffee
On National Coffee Day in Philadelphia, Rival Bros Coffee will be brewing their special Bourbon Barrel Aged Coffee at their cafes all day, including their regular Revolver blend for drip coffee. The cafes will also have 12 oz beans of their special Bourbon Barrel Aged coffee available for purchase on top of their regular menu.
Stella of New Hope
The deals also don’t just stop in Philadelphia—Bucks County’s modern American restaurant overlooking the Delaware River offers what they say is a twist on the classic espresso martini (available on the after-dinner specialty menu). The Stella Espresso Martini ($16) is crafted with vodka, vanilla, rich white chocolate, and freshly pulled espresso. And as a release states guests can sip on the Stella Espresso Martini, which pairs perfectly with desserts such as the Carmelized White Chocolate Cheesecake Mousse ($12), while cozied up to the al fresco fireplace and taking in the views of the Delaware River.
50 S. Main St., stellanewhope.com
Di Bruno Bros
This well-known Philly brand is offering a special on National Coffee Day in Philadelphia and beyond, and it’s keeping things classic. As a release states, Di Bruno Bros locations with cafes, which include Rittenhouse Square (1730 Chestnut St.), The Franklin (834 Chestnut St.), Comcast Center (1701 JFK Blvd.) and their suburban locations in Wayne (375 W. Lancaster Ave., Wayne, PA 19087) and the Admore Farmers Market (120 Coulter Ave., Ardmore, PA 19003) will be offering drip coffee, hot or iced for $1, any size on Sept. 29.
Multiple locations, dibruno.com
Many Hands Coffee Co.
Philadelphia-based Many Hands Coffee Co., a triple bottom line coffee company that “values people and the planet over profit,” recently announced the launch of an FTO coffee tasting box just in time for National Coffee Day on Sept. 29. As a release states, the tasting box comes with five, 4 oz. biodegradable and sustainable coffee bags highlighting blends and single origin roasts from dark to light. And while the tasting box is only available online, customers can pick up 1-lb. bags at Weavers Way Co-op, Riverwards Produce Market, or at their coffee truck parked in front of the Philadelphia Art Museum Thursday-Saturday and at festivals and fairs across the region, and online.
In addition, the first 50 in-person customers on National Coffee Day in Philadelphia who head to their coffee truck will receive free cups. The brand will also offer a 20% online discount off their entire line of fair trade, organic beans shipped from the coffee belt to PA on Sept. 29.
