PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The coronavirus pandemic has been a real Grinch since March for bars, restaurants and big events.
But residents of Philadelphia may feel their spirits rise when popular Christmas-themed pop-up bar Tinsel returns early this weekend.
Owner Teddy Sourias didn’t want to wait until December to put people in a festive mood.
“We wanted to do something cool and unique and something to bring joy to the current situation,” he told KYW Newsradio.
The bar, featuring Christmas music, elaborate decorations and holiday cocktails, has become familiar at 12th and Sansom streets in Center City. For this "Christmas in July," however, the bar is making one major change to stay off of Gov. Tom Wolf's "naughty" list.
“It’s 100% outdoors,” Sourias said. “Every part of the outdoor space we own is decked out in some sort of Christmas decoration: lights or bows or everything we could find.”
Sourias is using space from other restaurants and bars he owns nearby to make sure Tinsel patrons can spread out. They'll have tables, and food will be available, and Sourias says those who just want to check out the scene can grab a drink to go.
“It was ideal to bring this all together and have, like, a little Tinsel town and have cocktails and food and a lot of lights and make it look like a festive, joyful summer of a Christmas,” he added.
Sourias said that includes a “summer spin” on the winter cocktails, as well as palm trees at the outdoor space. But generally, they'll stick to the Christmas feeling they're known for.
This latest version of Tinsel is expected to stick around for a good part of the summer.
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