Philadelphia and the Countryside - Press Room

Gay and lesbian travelers looking to extend their summer fun into autumn need look no further than Philadelphia in 2009 and beyond. With a handful of new restaurants, bars, clubs, events and hotels to complement Philadelphia’s cherished and historical gay-friendly heritage, Philadelphia is the place to Get Your History Straight And Your Nightlife Gay®.

Make It A Weekend—Or More:
One of the nation’s leading gay-friendly hotel chains, Kimpton makes its Philadelphia debut on October 15 with the Hotel Palomar Philadelphia, a 24-story property housed in the 80-year-old American Institute of Architects building. Themed “Art in Motion,” the Art Deco

Restaurants/Cafes:

• 10 Arts by Eric Ripert – In this intimate space located inside the glitzy Ritz-Carlton, Chef Eric Ripert presents American cuisine with an emphasis on organic, locally grown ingredients. 10 S. Broad Street, (215) 523-8000, ritzcarlton.com/hotels/philadelphia
• Bindi – Guests enjoy the spices and full flavors of traditional Indian fare at this dimly lit bring-your-own-bottle (BYOB) spot. Be sure to bring along your own rum or vodka to create Indian-inspired cocktails. 105 S. 13^th Street, (215) 922-6061, bindibyob.com
• Bliss – Chef Fabrizzio Pace puts diners in touch with their inner gourmand thanks to his menu of creative contemporary

Gay and lesbian travelers eager to get their “history straight” and “nightlife gay” will find an eclectic mix of fun and fabulous happenings in Philadelphia and The Countryside® throughout the year. Dance parties, drag shows, pride parades and cultural events are among the offerings for gay travelers in 2009. Here’s a look:

Fun Seven Days A Week:

• Woody’s Bar is the quintessential gay hot spot in Philadelphia. With two sprawling floors, including a friendly downstairs bar and packed upstairs dance floor, there’s plenty of man-on-man action seven days a week. 202 S. 13^th Street, (215) 545-1893, woodysbar.com
• Every

With so much to do in Philadelphia, visitors will want to sleep over so they don’t miss a thing. And with pleasant weather ushering in even more events—and a hotel package that gives guests a $50 gift—there’s even more to fit into a Philly trip. Fortunately, there are a number of hotel packages to choose from on www.gophila.com and beyond that are perfect for late nights and more fun. Here’s a sampling of 10 great options:

Seasonal Fun:
Philly’s More Summer Fun Hotel Package – Visitors who book this two-night package receive a $50 American Express gift card that

Gay nightlife in Philadelphia isn’t all about the men. Lesbian travelers have a vibrant scene all their own with Sisters Nightclub, a seven-days-a-week women’s bar, and themed parties at an array of venues each week. There’s a place in Philadelphia for all kinds of lesbians, from the artist to the activist to the party girl. Here’s a look:

Dance Venues:

• Sisters Nightclub – Philadelphia’s exclusive lesbian nightclub draws women of all ages for food, drinks, dancing and entertainment. The two-story nightclub features two bars, a restaurant, lower-level pool room and popular $10 all-you-can-eat Sunday brunch buffet. Open seven days

Gay nightlife in Philadelphia isn’t all about the men. Lesbian travelers have a vibrant scene all their own with Sisters Nightclub, a seven-days-a-week women’s bar, and themed parties at an array of venues each week. There’s a place in Philadelphia for all kinds of lesbians, from the artist to the activist to the party girl. Here’s a sampling of Philly after dark. For more information, visit www.gophila.com/gay.

Monthly and Circuit Parties:

• Pure Party Girl First Friday – Pure, a gay after-hours club, lets women rule the floor on the first Saturday of the month. In the Pink Lounge, it's karaoke