Point Breeze Pop Up

If you had told be a couple years ago that a Wheat Beer Festival at a pop-​up beer garden in the middle of Point Breeze was a must go to event, I would have looked at you like you where out of your mind and from another dimension.
But as Bob Dylan once said, the times they are a changin’! And even though there does seem to be a disconnect between the pop-​up and its surrounding area still (no where near as bad as last year —
). Wheat Beer Fest proved to be an incredible event that went off without a hitch, and gave a solid sample of the good potential that a pop-​up like it had to offer.
But aside from delivering solid events like an annual beer & music festival, it didn’t really seem to show any form of benefiting or involving its surrounding community, which is exactly what it needs to do to grow for the better in the long term.
If an established bar owner like John Longacre of South PhiladelphiaTaproom/​American Sardine Bar and his crew can beautify and make a beer garden out of vacant field in total disrepair, then they could help turn similar Point Breeze spots into things like parks and gardens for the community. Likewise, if they can create a major ongoing festival for their bar patrons, then they can also come together and create one the involves the neighborhood and benefits an area cause. But despite clear improvement between this year and last, the lack of inviting that community involvement does seem to create a wedge between the pop-​up and its neighbors.
Despite this though there’s definitely a glimmer of hope and longevity for the beer garden when they deliver events the right way. The likes of Schooly D and Marah delivered some of the best neighborhood music fest performances that I’ve seen. Wheat beers from some of the best breweries out there flowed for just $ 3 a pop and featured limited release brews. And food trucks and stands like Johnny Bravo’s Surf and Turf and Viva Empanada provided delicious meals at decent prices. And all in all it earned a solid 3 ¹⁄₅ stars, that has the potential to go further overtime.

***Wheat Beer Festival review only.
I read all about the issues the owners of this pop up had with the neighboring community last summer and decided I’d probably not make a trek to Point Breeze to try it for myself. I can totally see both sides of the debate, and I’ve read on
that the beer garden will only be opening occasionally this summer. I think that sounds like a good compromise.
Despite the controversy surrounding the plot, their Wheat Beer event was held here last Saturday. My friend and I decided to check it out since the beers were all only $ 3 — and they had some gose options on tap.
We took a Lyft, which seemed like the easiest transportation route. When we arrived, we each purchased two tickets and decided to split our beers. The grounds were more spacious here than I imagined, so we took our time wandering around and looking at each and every beer choice before making our decisions.
Eventually, we found a spot to sit and sip while listening to musical performances and smelling the drifts of… odd food. I’m still not sure what that was! Nonetheless, the event was well-​executed. We only left once we were baking from the heat and couldn’t take one more minute of direct sunlight.
I’d attend future special events here if they happen, but I wouldn’t go out of my way for a regular day at the beer garden. That’s why PHS exists!

I visited 4 pop up beer gardens this weekend and the Point Breeze pop up definitely holds its own against the others, but brings something else to the table.
I’ll admit I haven’t been to Point Breeze much. But this was great reason to explore the neighborhood more. We went around 4pm on a Saturday and felt safe walking there from grad Hospital, but I can’t vouch for it at night.
There was a little art market there this Saturday, and it turns out Shirley the (awesome) bartender is also great at making pretty jewelry! There was a food truck set up too, which I’m guessing varies, it was Phoebe’s BBQ this time.
It wasn’t too crowded and the chairs (which are super comfortable) and tables are evenly dispersed so you’re not on top of each other like other (lookin at you south street) pop up beer gardens. Definitely a more chill vibe where you could bring dogs or kids during the day, or even kick back with a good book. Also the type of place you could join some people at a table and make friends.
Saturdays are Sour Saturdays, with several sour beers on tap and a great selection of sour cans. The bartender was super nice and very knowledgeable. Beers were $ 3 – 6. My friend tried a really awesome passion fruit beer and I got the grapefruit. Perfect day drinking beers.
They’re open until October, so get a little outside your comfort zone and check it out. You’ll feel downright breezy.

I’ve been here a few times in recent weeks and really love the vibe. Good beers on tap, a couple of food trucks and lots of people to mingle with. I’d recommend this hidden spot to anyone who’s looking to kick back for the evening.
The neighborhood looks kind of rough but the worst days are behind it. Progress is happening and it’s exciting to witness.

Good beer selection, yummy grill food, and dog friendly. No protesters as reported before, relaxed atmosphere. Beers range from $ 3 – 6 and they accept cards.

Terrible place for a beer garden. Location is not really close to public transport and there is nowhere to park bikes. Seats lazily arranged on a patch of dirt and wood chips. Multiple places of entry and right next to a playground so children, seeing a brightly colored, newly renovated space want to come in and play. I saw a little girl who was reaching for one of the ladder golf toys be shooed out multiple times. It was heartbreaking.
Ok selection of beer and the food truck that was there looked good. One of the nicest portapottys I have ever peed in.
In summation, I get what Longacre is trying to do here, but it is not the right time nor place.

Very relaxing atmosphere, feels like you’re in a neighbor’s backyard. Good prices, friendly staff.

I was stoked when I heard there would be a beer garden within walking distance from our house. But would I ever walk there alone? in broad daylight, yes. At dusk or in the dark, heck no.
I’ve lived in Point Breeze for awhile now and it’s block-​to-​block, hit-​or-​miss with riff-​raff and shiny new houses. It’s still what people call «up-​and-​coming» if you will. Given that, I think the beer garden does wonders to get people into Point Breeze, but given that the garden is in a less-​developed area than say, the area where American Sardine Bar is located, I’m iffy about whether people will make return trips.
The Beer Garden itself is lovely and there’s ample beer, food and space. However, when I was there, I kept thinking about the people in the neighborhood and how they feel living next to what’s equivalent to a ²⁴⁄₇ block party for the summer months.
While I’ll most likely go back since I live so close and I like to enjoy great craft beer while suntanning, it’s a hard sell to my friends. A location a few blocks north would have probably gained more foot traffic.

I’m really conflicted here, 3 or 4 stars. I’m a huge supporter of the Pop Up Gardens. Who doesn’t love a large outside space to drink good beer and eat good food on a sunny day? But I’m conflicted because of this:
PROS:
— Huge amount of beer selections, largest of most pop up gardens in Philly.
— Stage for live music. Not sure how often they have bands play, but last Saturday’s SPTR Wheat Festival had a band playing and they were really good.
— Awesome food trucks: Tacos, eat a pita, Philly fry, and a tent making the best mexican hot dogs ever.
CONS:
— Location. I’m not sure what they were thinking putting a Pop Up garden in this spot. Lets face it, it’s not in the best neighborhood. I would never walk here. I rode my bike, and even then didn’t feel very comfortable.
— Protesters. Waiting in line for the port-​a-​potties was very awkward, because that corner of the garden is lined with protesters sitting around with signs protesting the garden in their neighborhood. Signs said: «I’m too sober for this» and «These grounds are playgrounds for KIDS, not for Adults or Beer.» etc. I was awkwardly informed that the empty parking lot I’m enjoying my craft beers used to be a playground for kids. Now I feel like a guilty human being.
— No bike racks. Because this location is not walking distance to center city, and not close to mass transit, there are tons of bicycles, and no where to put them. There’s no bike racks on the sidewalks, and only a few street signs where bikes are already tied up. Most people end up locking their bikes to the wooden fence around the garden, which doesn’t work very well!
Overall, I’d love to give Point Breeze Pop Up Garden 4 stars, because I absolutely love beer gardens, and I had so much fun yesterday when I was there. However, I likely won’t come back because of the awkward location.