Stop by most college towns in the summer and you’re likely to be the only one sitting at a bar still sticky from graduation Jell-o shots. But in University City, the upcoming months are packed with dining, entertainment and arts, making it more of a destination than ever.
“We want to engage students, we want to engage residents and we’re definitely interested in people coming to the neighborhood who don’t live here or work here to see what we’re doing,” says Mark Christman, communications manager at University City District.
Christman recently bought a house in the area; like plenty of other residents in their early-30s, he was attracted to the young vibe of University City. “The residents here stay young, literally and figuratively,” he says. “There’s just a different sort of energy here.”
In addition to quaint newcomers like Baltimore Ave.’s Milk & Honey market, the area now also boasts two Jose Garces restaurants (funky Mexican outpost Distrito and the Cira Centre’s JG Domestic), as well as fellow Iron Chef Bobby Flay’s Bobby’s Burger Palace. Impressive, sure, but maybe not surprising. “I think it’s a really stable neighborhood in the city — in the country, for that matter,” says Christman. “We have Penn, we have Drexel, we have the medical institutions, the folks who live in the neighborhood: There are so many resources and people contributing here.”
Summer fun
Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll
Fifteen of the avenue’s businesses will be offering $1 treats, from specials-pro PBR to delicate, Japanese crepes.
Every first Thursday through September, between 42nd and 50th streets, www.universitycity.org
Night Market Philadelphia
The Food Trust’s street-food festival is setting up in University City with more than 30 food carts, including Guapos Tacos, Dapper Dogs and Nomad Pizza. Part of Philly Beer Week, it will also feature the Blockley Beer Garden.
June 9, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., 39th and Market streets, www.nightmarketphilly.org
Sustainable Saturdays
This new series on local, sustainable food includes a home-brewing workshop, a farm-to-table trolley tour with MidAtlantic Restaurant and an urban beekeeping/honey-tasting session.
Every third Saturday through September, www.universitycity.org
