Celebrate fall with cocktails and sweet treats that embrace the season’s flavors. From pumpkin spice espresso martinis to pumpkin cookie pies, here’s a short list of Philadelphia-area bars and restaurants to indulge in all things pumpkin. National Pumpkin Day is October 26th!
Assembly Rooftop Lounge, Center City’s swanky rooftop lounge with panoramic views of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, City Hall, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art, is celebrating the flavor of the season with pumpkin-inspired cocktails. Guests are invited to indulge in the Mashing Pumpkins ($18) composed of Templeton rye, allspice dram, turbinado, pumpkin and fresh lemon, and the Pumpkin Spice Espresso Martini ($18) made with stoli vanilla, borghetti espresso liqueur and rumchata pumpkin. These cocktails are available during Assembly’s Haunted Heights from Friday, October 25 to Thursday, October 31.
Bluebird Distilling, Phoenixville’s award-winning grain-to-glass craft distillery, is thrilled to announce the re-release of its seasonal, limited-edition Spiced Pumpkin Dark Rum ($45, 80 proof, 750ml), a dark rum flavored with autumnal spices and a pinch of cane sugar, distilled and bottled on-site. One of the distillery’s most popular seasonal spirits, this pumpkin-flavored sipper boasts tasting notes of caramel, nutmeg, and vanilla. This spirit is available for purchase at Bluebird Distilling and both Char & Stave locations. The bottle shop is open seven days a week from 1 – 11pm.
Cake Life Bake Shop, Philadelphia’s trans- and woman-owned award-winning artisanal bakery, is embracing all thing pumpkin with several fall-inspired desserts, including Pumpkin Cookie Pies ($6.50), served with two gourd-geous pumpkin cookies sandwiching a creamy and tangy cream cheese frosting, complete with a chocolate stem, and Pumpkin Maple Cupcakes ($5), made with tender, lightly spiced pumpkin cake and topped with tangy, maple-spiked cream cheese frosting – also available as a cake. The bakery’s pumpkin offerings are available for in-store pick-up and delivery via Uber Eats – customers can pre-order online now. Orders must be completed by 2pm four days prior to the desired pick-up or delivery date.
Char & Stave, Bluebird Distilling’s coffee roastery and full-service café-by-day and cocktail bar-by-night, is bringing back Rumpkin Spice Coffee ($23/12oz) for its third annual release this fall. The beans for this pumpkin-flavored blend are aged in barrels used to create Bluebird Distilling Spiced Pumpkin Dark Rum, following the company’s ethos of “coffee made by whiskey people.” The unbe-leaf-ably delicious fall flavors make for a perfect pick-me-up while cozied up by a campfire, wrapped up in a blanket and a flannel at home, or sipped on a picturesque autumn day spent on-site at Char & Stave. Coffee lovers can pick up a bag of Rumpkin Spice Coffee in-person at both Char & Stave locations, or online for shipping nationwide.
Jansen, Mt. Airy’s contemporary and award-winning New American restaurant by Chef David Jansen, has refreshed its seasonal cocktail menu just in time for cooler temps and National Pumpkin Day sipping. Imbibers dining at Mt. Airy’s charming and award-winning restaurant on Friday, October 25 and Saturday, October 26 can opt for the spiced Pumpkin Flip crafted with chai-infused dark rum, fresh roasted pumpkin, vanilla, cinnamon, one whole egg, and fresh ginger, in addition to a selection of freshly-minted tipples and fare.
Nightmare Before Tinsel, Philadelphia’s favorite Halloween pop-up bar located in the heart of Midtown Village, is the ultimate imbibing destination for spooky season enthusiasts as well as lovers of all things autumn. In addition to a variety of pumpkin ciders and ales, Nightmare Before Tinsel also offers a host of fall-themed sippers including the OMG! Oh My Gourd ($13) shot crafted with White Claw Vodka, spiced pumpkin purée and caramel.
Patchwork, a lively restaurant and bar focused on New American cuisine nestled on the second floor of the Hyatt Centric, is embracing everyone’s favorite fall flavor with the Philly Freedom Mule ($17) composed of pumpkin vodka, ginger beer and lime juice. For those looking for a family-friendly Halloween celebration, Patchwork, a lively restaurant and bar focused on New American cuisine nestled on the second floor of the Hyatt Centric Philadelphia, is hosting an all-ages Halloween Brunch featuring Disney’s Frozencharacters, Anna and Elsa. On Sunday, October 27 from 10:00am-1:00pm, families are invited to dress up in their favorite costumes and enjoy story time, face painting and signed photos with the famous Frozen sisters. Reservations are required and can be made here.
Square 1682, the modern American restaurant and award-winning bar located at 17th and Sansom Streets, has recently debuted a plethora of brand-new ultra-seasonal tipples crafted by Lead Bartender Alex Clark that evoke the true essence of fall in each and every libation. From National Pumpkin Day (October 26) through Halloween (October 31), imbibers can enjoy the limited-time Mischief Night ($16) comprised of High West Bourbon, lemon, cinnamon syrup, apple cider, heavy cream, pumpkin butter, and egg white.
The Twisted Tail, Headhouse Square’s Southern-inspired restaurant, is toasting to autumn with pumpkin-esque cocktails and sweet treats. Guests can savor the Pumpkin Spiced Espresso Martini made with pumpkin spice infused vanilla vodka, La Colombe espresso and espresso liquor. For those looking to cure a sweet tooth can indulge in the Pumpkin Spiced Pot de Creme served with maple whipped cream.
Townsend, Chef Townsend Wentz’s French restaurant and bar on East Passyunk Avenue, is embracing the flavors of fall with all-new à la carte, Chef’s Tasting and craft cocktail menus helmed by Executive Chef Alex Nissley. One of the standout and autumnal offerings — perfect for indulging in on National Pumpkin Day (October 26) — is the decadent dessert, the Pumpkin Mousse ($10) topped with oat crisp, rosemary gastrique, and shaved white chocolate.
Uptown Beer Garden, Philadelphia’s premier beer garden, has officially launched its annual Halloween pop-up with an all-new theme, Uptown’s Freak Show, running now through October 31 at 1500 John F Kennedy Blvd. This year’s extravaganza features life-sized monsters, intricate installations, carnival games, and a lineup of spooky cocktails served in vibrant novelty cups, including the pumpkin-centric Ungourdly Good ($16) fashioned with Espolon Tequila, Skrewball Whiskey, cold brew, and Pennsylvania Dutch pumpkin cream.
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