-Courtesy of Punch Media
Assembly Rooftop Lounge, The Logan Hotel’s year-round swanky rooftop cocktail bar and lounge perched above the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, is heading abroad for a second year with the newest iteration of its seasonal pop-up, The Grove at Assembly. This year’s theme transports guests to the South of Italy, boasting refreshing citrus libations, invigorating apertifs, Mediterranean menus, paired with views of the illuminated Philadelphia skyline akin to the lights of the Portofino coast. The pop-up launches on Thursday, May 4 – with an opening party from 6 to 9 pm – and lasts throughout the season.
The second season of The Grove recreates an Italian coastal summertime escape in the heart of Philadelphia. The re-imagined space is complete with vibrant and airy textures, patterns and décor, deeper wood furnishings, lush plant life, wall treatments, comfortable furnishings, natural elements and more, paired with a Mediterranean seafood-forward menu from Executive Chef Sonny Ingui, and Sorrento inspired sippers dreamt up by Abigail Remington, General Manager of Assembly Rooftop Lounge.
“Everything we loved about The Grove last year is back with an Italian flair,” said Nathan Ayres, General Manager of Food and Beverage at The Logan Hotel. “After watching season two of The White Lotus, I think we were all craving an Italian villa vacation, sipping an Aperol Spritz and dining lavishly under the sun. I am thrilled to announce guests can do exactly that at season two of The Grove at Assembly, inspired by an Italian cliffside oasis fit with an Aperitivo Happy Hour.”
The revamped space was inspired by the lush scenery and lively colors of the cliffside towns that line the coasts of Italy. Upon arrival, guests are greeted with a gorgeous Fresco-style mural, a vintage vespa, and an array of vibrant florals and greenery which flow throughout the rest of the space. A modern and organic backdrop will create a statement wall on the west patio. Dreamy string lights at the bar deliver a subtly seductive ambiance, and indoor lounge spaces are adorned with ornate rugs, airy white curtains, and lemon, Ficus, and olive trees. Outdoor lounges are fashioned with beach blankets and plush throw pillows surrounded by lavish flowers and plants that set the scene among Assembly’s stunning rooftop view that will have guests thinking they’re under the Italian sun among locals.
Seafood-forward Mediterranean dishes from Executive Chef Sonny Ingui offer guests a taste of Italy with highlights such as the Lobster Roll ($21) served with chive aioli and local chips; Halibut Bionchetti Limon ($18) with Ligurian olive oil, parsley, and rucola; Salmon Fritto ($16) with Jail Island salmon, limoncello aioli, and pickled caper salad; and Oysters ($16) served with cucumber mignonette. Additional snacks include Eggplant Caponata ($10); Burrata Caprese ($16); Margherita Flatbread ($14), and more. Dessert lovers can choose to indulge in Rum Baba ($12) with candied mango, pineapple, and Chantilly cream; or Homemade by Bruno Gelato Pops ($8), Raspberry Watermelon or Lemon Ricotta.
The cocktail list boasts a selection of refreshing citrus-forward tipples sure to transport imbibers straight to the South of Italy such as Walking in Sicily ($17) with Bahnez mezcal, Ancho Reyes Verde, grapefruit cordial, lime, and grapefruit; Coastal Clear ($17) with Malfy con Limone Gin, basil infused dry vermouth, lemon olio zucchero; and Pep Talk ($17) with Tito’s vodka, Cocchi Americano, strawberry-pink-peppercorn syrup, and lemon. Assembly’s crowd favorite and photogenic Frosé ($17) returns along with the new Frozen Aperol Spritz ($17) with Aperol, elderflower, orange, grapefruit, lemon, and prosecco, in line to be Assembly’s drink of the summer.
In line with the Italian coastal theme, happy hour will transform into an Aperitivo Hour from Sunday-Thursday 4-5pm in which select cocktails, wines, beers and snacks will be offered at a discount, such as a rotating daily spritz ($8), Frosé ($10), Cheese ($10), Charcuterie ($10), Marinated Olives ($4), oysters ($3/each), and more.
Assembly Rooftop Lounge invites everyone to a lavish launch event on Thursday, May 4, 2022, from 6 to 9 PM to celebrate the returnof The Grove. Attendeeswill enjoy a first look of the transformed space and first taste of the new food and cocktail menus, plus a preview of the Aperitivo Happy Hour, a DJ spinning Ibiza-inspired beach club tunes, a 360-degree Photobooth and surprise entertainment. The Assembly team will also be giving away a VIP Lounge for one lucky winner and their 10 friends (valued at $1,000).
Tickets for the launch party are $100/person, and can be purchased on Tock. Must be 21+ and must bring valid ID to enter.
Following the launch party, The Grove Season Two will be open Sunday-Thursday, 4 pm – 12 am Friday and Saturday, 4 pm – 1 am. Walk-ins are available based on availability. Parties of six or less can make reservations here, with a cover charge of $10 per person. Larger parties of seven or more can also reserve one of Assembly’s pods for a food and beverage minimum. Pod reservations can be made by e-mailing info@assemblyrooftop.com.
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