Parks on Tap Debuts Two New Waterfront Locations on Schuylkill River This Weekend!

Parks on Tap Debuts Two New Waterfront Locations on Schuylkill River This Weekend!

Parks on Tap announces that Philadelphia’s famous beer garden that gives back is making moves, announcing two new season-long locations for 2021. The official season opening for both outside the famous Fairmount Water Works (640 Waterworks Drive) and at the all-new South-to-Christian Trails End (entry ramp at South Street and South 27th Street) is set for Thursday, May 6th at 4:00pm. When open, patrons will be able to enjoy sweeping riverfront views, fresh food, beers on tap, wine and non-alcoholic beverages in a secure outdoor environment with comfortable chairs and clean restrooms.

Both locations will feature proven health and safety protocols created during Summer 2020, including additional cleaning measures, ability for contact tracing, and other procedures as prescribed by the City of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania. Parks on Tap is family (and fido) friendly. Season hours for Parks on Tap at the Water Works location will be Monday to Friday, from 4:00pm to 10:00pm, and Saturday and Sunday from Noon to 10:00pm, weather permitting. Parks on Tap at Trails End will operate Wednesday and Thursday from 4:00pm to 10:00pm, Friday from 4:00pm to 11:00pm, Saturday from 12:00pm to 11:00pm, and Sunday from 12:00pm to 10:00pm. A daily digital sign-in is required. Food and drink are pay-as-you-go. Seating is first come, first served.

“FCM Hospitality is excited to announce two new season-long locations for Parks on Tap that span the banks of the Schuylkill River,” said FCM Hospitality Owner Avram Hornik. “One of my all-time favorite locations returns for the summer at Fairmount Water Works. This location is always a big hit with young families and neighbors. We love seeing all the familiar faces who visit every time we pop up behind the Philadelphia Museum of Art. We are also thrilled to introduce a brand new Parks on Tap site off of the South Street Bridge at Trails End. Parks on Tap has fans that follow us around each year to every location. Trail’s End is going to be a brand new addition that we hope will really excite the long-time supporters of the program who have been asking for something new for 2021. We also hope to meet and serve all new audiences in the neighborhoods surrounding the South Street Bridge, in both directions of South Philly and University City.  No matter which location you pick and are closest too, we invite you to come out, relax and enjoy the summer days ahead with our Parks and Tap family.”

For 2021, Parks on Tap is following the success of last season’s stationary beer garden format with the launch of two season-long locations. One outside the famous and picturesque Fairmount Water Works at 640 Waterworks Drive, the other next to the transformative Schuylkill Trail’s South Street ramp. Both Parks on Tap beer gardens offer riverfront views that will over the perfect backdrop to your day and evenings out enjoying the beautiful, warmer weather. Parks on Tap at Water Works and Trails End are self-contained within roped boundaries, providing its own power, bathrooms, food and drink trucks, seating, shade and lights – all without use or dependency of existing park facilities. This means more money can be raised and make a direct impact on park improvements and future programming.

Due to the global pandemic, Parks on Tap will be extensively following state regulations to safely operate and will be adjusting (if necessary) to the city guidelines once they are released. Social distancing markers will be measured out and posted throughout the garden and its outside fencing area as reminders for guests. Guests free seasonal membership also allows for contact tracing if a local outbreak occurs. Sanitizing spray and/or wipes will be accessible to guests, so they are able to wipe down chairs and tables. Staff and guests in the beer garden area must always wear a mask, except when seated.  Staff will be subject to temperature checks prior to the start of all shifts to assure they are safely able to work. Additional cleaning standards will be implemented prior to opening, after closing and throughout the day by staff.

Parks on Tap at the Waterworks location will offer beautiful and sweeping views of Boathouse Row and the Schuylkill River. It will join and work with the existing business community outside Water Works, including Cosmic Cafe, a farm-to-table organic cafe option for guests, and Wheel Fun Rentals, who offers family-friendly 4-wheel multi-passenger surrey rides for sight-seeing along Boathouse Row. Organizing partners encourage everyone to support these partners while they also explore new park spaces during their day with Parks on Tap.

Parks on Tap at Trails End is the newest location for the 6-year long program. Trails End is located at the end of the South to Christian trail (east side of the Schuylkill River from South Street to Christian Street). The walk from the South Street entrance to the Parks on Tap area is about a 5 minute walk south. Trails End will feel like a hidden oasis, sandwiched between abandoned railroad tracks and the Schuylkill River with a collection of recycled furniture, comfortable hammocks, and new lounge chairs that are perfect for relaxing in the sun. Offering the perfect soundtrack to your summer, consistent DJ entertainment will be offered for another Parks on Tap first. Guests can anticipate DJ entertainment Saturday and Sunday afternoons, along with daily night time performances. Trails End will offer all the casual fare and local brews that Parks on Tap has become known for, while also adding a wider variety of alcoholic beverage selection as the weather warms. Parks on Tap is located near the ADA-compliant access point of the Schuylkill River Trail, offering all tourists and locals the opportunity to experience spectacular waterfront views.

For food and drink, patrons can look to FCM Hospitality to provide a variety of local craft beers, wine and cocktails, as well as non-alcoholic beverages such as water, soda and iced tea. A full food menu is available for purchase at Water Works that highlights items made from locally sourced items and snacks. The food menu will include bread and pastries from award-winning and nationally recognized affiliate partner Lost Bread Co. The Trails End location will highlight a
Convenient grab and go menu of locally sourced wraps and snacks. The beer menu will include Mainstay Independent Brewing Company’s Love Your Park Pale Ale. Love Your Park Pale Ale was originally created exclusively for Parks on Tap to help raise awareness for volunteering at loveyourpark.org.. New for 2021, FCM Hospitality is proud to feature canned beer selections from Two Locals, Philadelphia’s first Black-owned brewery