The month of June brings out the rainbow flag at many Philly businesses, including Sofitel Philadelphia at Rittenhouse Square.
In years past, the hotel and meeting space has shown its pride through a slew of different showcases and events—and 2023 will be no different, just a bit bigger.
“Sofitel Philadelphia is passionate about supporting our local community,” said Sofitel Philadelphia General Manager Angela Bauer in a statement. “We are prouder than ever to celebrate June as Philly Pride Month and fly a giant Philadelphia Pride rainbow flag outside the hotel to publicly show our commitment to inclusiveness.”
Bauer continued: “We invite you to stop by and join us during Pride Month – our doors are always open to all. We are thrilled to be back again and to welcome and celebrate with the entire community.”
One tradition making its way back to Sofitel this year comes in the form of their Drag Tea, which has been expanded to include every weekend in June this year. On Saturday, June 3, 10, 17 and 24, the venue will debut a new Drag Tea featuring Brittany Lynn’s Drag Mafia, plus offerings from Sofitel’s award-winning culinary team (think tea sandwiches, desserts and plenty of small bites.)
Drag teas specifically will take place on those select dates inside of Chez Colette Brasserie from 2 to 4 p.m. Tickets (available online) are $75 per person for standard drag tea service, or $85 with bottomless Champagne, Mimosas and Bloody Mary’s. And $5 from each purchase will be donated to the Mazzoni Center.
Performers include Karen Vonsay, Miss Redd, Nurse Morgan, Yari, Morgan Wells and more—and Philadelphians can check online to see who will be on-site on what date.
As mentioned before, also returning for Philly Pride in 2023 is Sofitel’s oversized rainbow flag on the outside of the building. And on the inside, the lobby will be transformed once again into the Hall of Flags.
As a release states, the Philadelphia rainbow flag will be joined by a host of LGBTQ flags flying high inside the lobby to celebrate the different facets of the local gay community, including the Lesbian Pride Flag, Gender Fluid Pride Flag, Binary Pride Flag, Pan Sexual Pride Flag, Transgender Pride Flag and the Bisexual Pride Flag.
The public is also welcome to join the venue for the first official event of Philly Gay Pride Month on Thursday, June 1, at 2:15 p.m. as Sofitel dedicates and unveils this year’s flag. The flag and exhibition will remain up until June 30 for those who can’t make it out on that date, however.
Sofitel will also be commemorating Pride Month in Philadelphia by supporting the Mazzoni Center. Throughout June, the hotel will be donating $1 for every item sold on their banquet menu that dons the Mazzoni logo; $1 will also be donated from every Liberté cocktail (which boasts pear-infused Vodka, lemon, St. Germain and sparkling wine) sold in the Liberté Lounge.
“As part of our commitment to philanthropy, we started this program in 2017 and donated more than $40,000 to Broad Street Ministry and Attic Youth Center before the pandemic,” continued Bauer. “We are proud to expand our commitment to the community, which is why we are extended and expanding this program and celebrating our latest charity partner. One dollar from select items on our banquet menu will be donated to the Mazzoni Center- starting in June and through the rest of the year.”
She added, “We are proud to continue working with such valuable community organizations such Mazzoni Center and Broadstreet Ministries. These efforts are so important to our city and that is why we at Sofitel are so proud to be known as the hotel of the community. We look forward to our partnerships and the growth that we expect to see in the coming year.”
To learn more information about Sofitel Philadelphia’s (120 S. 17th Street) Pride Month offerings, visit all.accor.com
