Sips, Week Eight - A Tale of Two Sips

Last year Vango was THE PLACE to be on a sunny, Wednesday evening.  The roof deck has an amazing view and the atmosphere just screams "I've had a rough week, let's drink until these beds make sense"!  So, you'd imagine my surprise when this year's experience was nothing of the sort.  Our group of seven represented two-thirds of the population at Vango, even through 6:15PM.  

Dear Vango, I know some great PR people.  Please hire them to get the cool kids back on the roof.  We love your establishment, but would love it more if we weren't the only ones there.

VanGO?  Yep, we VanWENT.  

(note: I've been very excited to use that witty phrase that I cleverly thought of as we were walking away from Vango.)  

All of the action was happening just steps down the road from Vango....at Ladder 15....

I'm not sure what was more exciting - the walk TO Ladder 15 amongst the hottest MLS stars known to man OR our time at Ladder...

Hey David Beckham, Call Me Maybe?

Ladder 15 rarely disappoints.  The place is packed to the walls with fun, young business men and women enjoying cocktails and tasty appetizers.  I've done a couple of fundraisers with Ladder, so maybe I'm biased, but have never had a bad time.  There are always a couple of creeper guys and some really interesting attire choices, but never a dull moment.

If I may, I'm going to stray for just a minute... Center City Sips is designed to keep the working crowd in the city for a few hours once a week to drive local business.  If this is the case, why do so many people go home to change into some crazy, Friday night outfits before coming to Sips?  Isn't the intention to roll out of your 10hour day of cubicle living into two hours of drink discounts and hump-day excitement?  *SMH*

Bonus Feature: SMITHS AFTER SIPS

Before you say anything, yes, I know that this breaks all of my own rules.  I'm well aware. However, if you stop drinking (novel concept) and simply eat their delicious food, you can go home happy, sober and before the sun goes down!  Definitely check out Smiths After Sips for great food and drink specials starting at 7:00PM.  And, if I may...try the carne pizza!  Yum!

If Ladder 15 and Smiths after Sips had a baby, you could call me Angelina Jolie.  I'd adopt that thing in a heartbeat.  Another happy Wednesday in the books.

Sips, Week Seven - Sampan

So, originally this post was intended to be tagged "Sips, Week Seven - Corner", however upon entering Corner Bar last Wednesday a few things were immediate:  it was CRAZY crowded and it had NO (or very little) air conditioning.  My walk to Corner was hot enough, and I could not fathom standing on top of my fellow Sipsters while consuming the Boom Swagger Sangria.  I'm definitely disappointed, as I love Corner Bar. 


Dear Corner, we'll be back.


Alas, we headed down the stairs from the cozy rooftop location at Corner to swing over to Sampan.  Sampan is another clear Sips favorite.  The drinks are cool and the looping  movie sounds in the bathrooms are even cooler. (Who doesn't want to wash their hands to the sounds of Twelve Monkeys?)  We were able to grab seats right away and order up some fizzy drink that is topped off with champagne.  Yes, please.  


This week's Sips had clear highs and lows.
  
First the highs:
1. Re-connecting with an amazing girlfriend that I haven't caught up with in years.  SO great!  Love old friends!
2. Two words:  Saki Sangria.  It's like candy.  Good call, Sampan
3. I was reminded that men should not wear cargo shorts.  What DO you need those extra pockets for.  Thanks for the laughs, Lee -- Cargo Jesus will never make an appearance in our lives again
4. Sampan does us all a favor and hires a handful of super hot waiters.  Another good call.


...and the Lows:
1.  Sampan's bar area is a bit narrow.  I'm unsure of the exact number of people who stepped on my feet or accidentally took an elbow while I was wildly gesturing during what was clearing a riveting discussion...
2.  The female bartenders at Sampan seem to despise those of the same gender.  This is clearly speculation, but a shared theory by others
3.  As much as we love Sampan, so does clear douchebaggery (see http://areyouadouchebag.wordpress.com/ for further explanation).  Guys, a little hint:  don't approach a girl, chat her up for a couple of hours, then tell her that you have three girlfriends out on the Main Line.  It may have worked for those three, but it's not going to enhance any relationship with the self-respecting Sipster sister.  Just because you put on a suit and tie doesn't mean that you're not lame.  A good reminder for the ladies!
4.  See #3 from the Highs


There are few bad times at Sampan.  All in all, I would consider Sips, Week Seven to be a raging success.  


Addendum to Week Seven:


Because I have no Wednesday self control, and because the rules have already been broken, we stopped by Alfa for a post-Sips cocktail.  Who knew that Alfa was serving a HUGE plate of tater tots for only TEN dollars?!  Not this girl.  I've never been a huge fan of Alfa before last week.  Typically the eerie darkness and lounge-y atmosphere isn't for me, but I'm reformed.  Thank you Alfa for eliminating any pending hangover.  

Sips, Week 6 - Four Season Beer Garden

It's week six of Sips already.  Where has the time gone?  Clearly I have been living my Wednesdays to the fullest, as it feels like Sips just started yesterday.  

Before I dive into our Week Six adventures, its only fair that I address Week Five...or the lack thereof.  Week Five fell on July 4th.  The thought of this made me as giddy as a kid on Christmas Eve:  no work, barbecues and Sips, followed by fireworks.  On a Wednesday.  Did I mention 'no work'?  Ah, the planning for this day was full of energy and excitement.  We'd throw a party from noon until Sips, hit Sips, catch some fireworks and head home.  Theme of the day?  Freedom Sips.  Simple right?  One would think.  In hindsight, my zeal for day drinking always wins.  I should know this at the age of thirty-one.  

Dear Center City District, the next time Sips falls on a bank holiday, what are the chances that we can move Sips up to 3:00PM or 4:00PM?  Whew...5:00PM is a stretch when my celebrations start at noon.  ::sigh::  I guess these are the reasons that we work during the day.

Fast forward seven days.  This week was a special week, as fellow Sipster and my best friend from the past 10 years is celebrating her birthday.  In traditional Sips fashion, the birthday honoree gets to select his/her choice of Sips location.  The decision was to go a bit off of the grid this week and tap into our classy side for the recently re-introduced Beer Garden at the Four Seasons.  

[Had i known then what I know now, I would have avoided the Four Seasons.  NOT because of our experience there (detailed below), but merely to avoid the senior executives from my company all staying at the hotel for a board meeting today.  Taking the chance that you bump into the Chairman of the Board on the way out of the loo while spilling your 15th beer?  I'll pass.  Lucky for me, that did not happen....this time... ]

ANYHOW, during Beer Week 2012, The Four Seasons and With Love Philadelphia had, hands down, the best pop-up beer garden in the city.  So, without hesitation, we expected this one to be the same.  It was not, in fact, the same.  Despite the fantastic drink list and constantly replenished homemade chips, the 'garden' environment was lackluster.  There were no couches or chairs in the lawn, and the garden was contained to just the patio.  A small disappointment, however nothing to spoil a great night of friends, birthdays and great drinks! 

Let me reiterate - The Four Seasons is amazing.  Even their bathrooms are poshy.  The drink list could not have been better, displaying six or seven local beers, great wines and some fantastic cocktails for $7 or less.  The seating was cozy and made it easy to converse with all people in our party.  The service was great and the bartender was friendly and patient.  [Side note:  patience is a must with our group, as we never remember anything.  He probably repeated the beer list 150 times before we remembered even one of them].  And the best part?  The Sips hours were extended from 5PM - 8PM.  An extra permitted* hour of Sips. I just wanted more garden with my beer.  

Dear Four Seasons, We love you.  We especially love the amazingly good looking men that hang out in your bar area.  You woo'ed me with your garden environment during Beer Week, so my expectations were high for Sips.  Any chance you can add some comfy couches for our imminent return?  xo, SIPSonthis

*Please see week four post for rules around Sips hours.