With the official start of summer coming in just a few weeks, the Mt. Airy Community Development Corporation (CDC) is gearing up for the return of its signature seasonal program, Supper Sessions. Kicking off on Wednesday, June 11, Supper Sessions provide an opportunity to sample signature cocktails and culinary goods from the neighborhood’s many popular bars and restaurants, as well as popular Philly food trucks, all while dining under the stars.
Supper Sessions are held on second Wednesdays through the summer months (July 9, August 13 and September 10). Rain dates are planned for the following weeks in case of inclement weather.
With the 7100 and 7200 blocks of Germantown Avenue closed to cars, trucks, and buses, neighbors and visitors can sit together and share a meal at communal tables for six to eight people placed over the street’s Belgian blocks and trolley tracks. Supper Sessions are designed as family events; complimentary kids activities are set up near the dining area and provide face painting, a bounce house, and balloon animals. In the spirit of Mt. Airy, the vendors for those activities are all local women-owned businesses.
Mt. Airy CDC Communications Manager Andrea Calabretta said, “Whether you dine inside one of Germantown Avenue’s restaurants with their windows open to the street for easy conversation and music or sit down at a table with people you don’t know — neighbors or visitors — the feeling of Supper Sessions is about being out of the house, enjoying the summer evenings and being together. It’s a lively, energetic evening; something people really need right now.”
Participating restaurants along the block include local favorites Bar Lizette (French/German), Toska Restaurant & Brewery (wood-fired pizza), McMenamin’s Tavern (burgers), Jyoti Bistro (Indian), and Trattoria Moma (Italian). Philly-based food trucks will rotate and include Cousins Maine Lobster, Deke’s Bar-B-Que, Korea Taqueria, Federal Donuts & Chicken, 2 Street Sammies, Moshava, and more to come. A full list of participating vendors including each evening’s featured food trucks will be listed before each event on the Mt. Airy CDC website.
For those interested in sampling Northwest Philly’s local breweries, Attic Brewing Co., Tired Hands, and Young American Hard Cider will offer handcrafted beverages for purchase. Bar Lizette, Toska and McMenamin’s will also offer beer and cocktail options.
Supper Sessions has been such a success that it has returned annually since its 2012 start, except during the pandemic years. With a growing number of merchants filling storefronts along the avenue, many businesses are staying open late and offering specials so that after visitors eat they can also shop.
Sherri Hall, owner of BLACQSKIRT Co., a woman-focused clothing company, said, “We love Supper Sessions! Mt. Airy is all about community and fellowship.” BLACQSKIRT and other businesses will offer special promotions during the event..
Besides culinary and shopping adventures, there’s plenty to entice music lovers out to Germantown Avenue during Supper Sessions. The Mt. Airy CDC will host a stage with live local performers at one end, featuring Reverend Chris & the Lower 19119 (New Orleans jazz), Mixed People (funky soul, fusion), Play It Forward (classic rock, folk), Harvest Groove Collective (jazz, R&B, funk), Forbidden Brass (low brass quartet), and other acts.
Down the block at SOOK Vinyl & Vintage, a record shop and listening room, music lovers can reserve a seat and have their own personal turntable fora free listen to anything in the store’s sound library. SOOK also plans to host DJs and in-store performances during the events.
The Supper Sessions are scheduled for June 11 (Rain date: June 18), 5-9 p.m.; July 9 (Rain date: July 16), 5-9 p.m.; August 13 (Rain date: August 20), 5-9 p.m.; September 10 (Rain date: September 17), 5-9 p.m.
Germantown Avenue is easily reached via SEPTA’s Allens Lane Station. The Chestnut Hill West Regional Rail line is two blocks away. The 23 and 71 buses also each stop right on Germantown Avenue. More than 80 parking spaces are available in the lot behind the Sedgwick Theatre, accessed from Chew Avenue, but you are encourage to walk and bike to the festival if you can.
