Dictionary.com defines Rule as: (n) a principle or regulation governing conduct, action, procedure, arrangement, etc.
It seems simple enough. We learned rules early in life. As a child, there were many rules -- Don't hit. Don't bite. Don't ride your bike in the street. As we became teenagers, rules changed but were still quite clear -- Don't stay out after curfew. Don't cheat on tests. Don't steal the liquor from your parents liquor cabinet. (Okay, so those were the years where we also learned how to strategically break rules too...) As we went off to college, the rules got a bit loose. Staying out after curfew became acceptable because curfew disappeared. Stealing liquor no longer crossed the mind since there was always an eager fraternity guy looking to pour it directly down your throat. And, lets face it, biting was widely socialized.... However, many rules still remained -- Don't cheat on said fraternity guy who not only anxiously over-serves you alcohol, but also has become your boyfriend. Don't skip your recitation classes for Accounting 211. Don't convince yourself that you can consume more than one 23oz margarita.
The old adage "Rules are meant to be broken" is a joke. Rules are meant to permit you to return to your daycare, attend a school dance sober and prevent the walk of shame. As we leave the collegiate lifestyle and enter into adulthood, we all have a bit more flexibility to create our own rules of living a successful life. Some people create few rules for themselves and enjoy the frequent indulgence; some people set far too many parameters and end up missing out on the spontaneity that living has to offer. I'd like to think that I've found myself somewhere in the middle. The indulgence of my summer can be defined in one word: Sips. Yet, despite the freedom of indulgence, there is one guideline that was implemented after one too many Thursday mornings that started with the thought "How the bleeeeeep is it only Thursday?! And how in the name of the Lord am I going to pull myself out of bed, let alone make it through at least 8 hours of work?" That one rule, as I've mentioned before is:
When Sips ends at 7PM, the evening ends. Period. I repeat: when Sips is over, the night is over.
However, without fail, Marathon manages to woo the crowd with it's outdoor patio, it's fancy palm trees and perfectly strung lights overhead. Like a romantic date, the sun goes down but you don't want it to end.
It was a bit windy on 19th and Market, but that didn't prevent us from grabbing the last two tables and setting up shop to consume sangria and classy bottles of PBR. The time moved like it did in Scrooged, the hands on the clock flying from 5PM to 6PM and beyond 7PM before we noticed. The first glance at the clock was 7:16PM. Based on the aforementioned rule, that should have been a bold, blaring siren ending the evening promptly. However, we all know that this blog would not contain this riveting, attention grabbing post if that were the case. Before I know it, the sun has long set and I'm deep in a conversation with a guy who is virtually sucking down Long Island Iced Teas at a rate that would get him cast on the Jersey Shore without an audition, and talking about his job working with at-risk youth. As you can imagine, this combination did not work to his advantage. However, it did work to mine. [No, that's not what I mean; get your minds out of the gutter.] In realizing how ridiculously intoxicated said Long Island Drunken Counselor was, I realized that it was damn near 10PM and this night NEEDED to end. The BFF was a six-pack deep into the Summer of Coronas and there was a solid chance that the Dominos app was about to be put into action. So, away we went, up 19th Street towards Dominos, which we both consumed in its entirety sitting in complete silence.
As always, thank you Marathon for your cheap drinks, your cozy patio and your alluring summer nights. And thank you for never letting us down on the eye candy, it is much appreciated. But let this be a lesson to you all: Rules are put in place for a reason. They keep you semi-safe and kind of sober, but most of all, they prevent you from consuming a bottle of Sprite at 7:45AM on your walk to work.
There is no question that Wednesdays are sizzling due to the overall hotness (is that a word?!) of the Sipsters, however this week really turned up the temperature gauge! With summer's official arrival barreling in with a major heatwave and sunny weather, we took to the shady outdoor patios of Table 31 for this week's post-work consumption.
However, before I start raving about all things Table 31, I must discuss Wednesdays in general. Named 'Hump Day' for a reason...and not the reason that we all wish...Wednesdays for the other 39 weeks of the year are grueling. We struggle through Monday and Tuesday, only to see much of the same on day three of the work week. Though, once you're over the hump, it's smooth sailing into the weekend. When Sips begins, Wednesdays start to look a bit brighter. However this particular Wednesday was especially sunny (and not because of the stifling weather). You know why? Wait for it.... because LISA LOEB started following ME on Twitter. Yep, in a day that I was simply looking forward to drink specials and good company, Lisa comes into my Twitter life and finds me simply interesting enough (or entertaining enough) to follow on Twitter! This may not excite any of you, but I'll tell you that it was a game-changer for my Wednesday. Not only are we in the prime Wednesday time of the year, but now Lisa ratcheted up my Wednesdays to resemble the scorching temperatures of the outdoors!!
Ah, I digress. Yes, I realize that this blog is about Sips but I couldn't explain my excitement for all things Center City happy hour without first describing my sheer delight over the all-time best Pop-Up Video artist. Table 31 brought its typical A-game for week three; here's my overall assessment:
- The specials were good, or at least I think they were, since Blue Moon was on....and then it was off....and then Sierra Nevada was on....and then it was off.... Once we figured that out, we were good to go. I chose to go the cocktail route this week, which is never the best idea. However, whoever Mia is, her punch was amazing. Kusy - could it be THE Mia?! Maybe....
- Due to the expansion of the seating area outdoors, the area was not over-crowded at all. Major win for Table 31. I love the set up with the tables and cozy benches, but when a billion people are standing on top of you or leaning on your chair, it's hard to enjoy. Absolutely no issues with that this week! Score!
- Our waiter was awesome despite our largely spread out Sipsters group.
- The girls guarding the entryway were a bit militant. Frankly, they scared me. So, you got a wristband on me -- now what?! It didn't seem to make any difference.
- The ratio of men to women was much better for us single girls this week. A cold drink in hand and some worthwhile eye candy makes a girl's Wednesday ever so sweet.
Thanks to Table 31 for another successful Sips week. A huge Happy Birthday to Lisa Barbaccio today, as well. I hope that turning 21 [again] is as eventful as it was last year.
...until next week, Sipsters!
This week the Sipsters took a brief hiatus from our Center City shenanigans to honor a fellow Sipster, Abby. You see, Abby is one of those... je ne sais quoi... "Do Gooders?" and because of her all around awesomeness, she was nominated and chosen as a finalist for the Philadelphia Eagles (pronounced: iggles) Community Quarterback Award.
Last night was the Community Quarterback Celebration down at Lincoln Financial Field, and some of us Sipsters were more than thrilled to cheer Abby on--though, the cheering may or may not have been borderline inappropriate--as she received her award (ah hem, $4,000 for Back on my Feet... not to shabby). It didn't hurt that this "celebration" included cocktails and snacks, either.
While most of us have heart palpitations at the thought of missing a Sips night, it was truly an honor to be in the presence of such great Philadelphians and to celebrate the accomplishments of our dear friend. Cheers to all of the award nominees, finalists, and winners!
Until next week... sayonara sipsters!
So maybe I went out of the gate a bit strong in week one by tweeting Michelle Obama. I mean, does she really have any business ignoring a happy hour invitation from an amazing Sips crowd, complete with Google Group? I think not. Alas, MObama passed on happy hour this week. Maybe she's just not down with whiskey drinks and Dogfish beer. Who am I to judge?
Even without the First Lady, we rocked week one at Square Peg. A replacement for one of the 500 Marathon restaurants in Philadelphia, Square Peg does a nice job of combining chill relaxed atmosphere with fancy [read: strong] drinks and a good beer list. Our group was fairly indicative of the population at Square Peg, though -- Lots. Of. Ladies. I mean, I love my girls, but I don't go to happy hour to check out too-high stiletto heels and the newest of summer handbags. Throw me a bone here, boys! Big shout outs to Anthony and Ankur for hanging with the ladies for an evening.
For all of those who care (uh...mom?) here's my rundown on Square Peg, at least for happy hour on a summer Wednesday...
- The Sips specials were fantastic -- good beer, strong drinks, decent wine
- The food specials seemed to be a little weak, but I didn't eat them so really have no business commenting
- Just behind the bar was a bottle of Death's Door vodka. I think I'll pass.
- The bartenders were friendly and fairly accommodating. They did ask for open tab names about 100 times, but I can barely remember the name of my co-worker who has sat in the cubicle next to me for 2 years, so I can't blame them.
- The bartender with the most impressive handlebar mustache really made my evening. From what I understand from my guy friends, growing facial hair that can be that finely groomed is a feat in itself; the fact that he pulled it off with ease makes him quite the rockstar.
...and then it ended. The only rule of Sips is that when the specials end, we go home....until next week!!
Summer has officially started and Wednesdays have never looked better!! Its Sips time 2012! Each week we will be blogging about our choice location, the specials, the people and pretty much anything else that strikes our fancy related to the two hours dedicated to Center City Sips! We hope that you enjoy the ride....but don't get lost!!
