Where To Celebrate The Luckiest Day Of The Year In Philadelphia
There's just a little over a week to go until the supposed end of the world (12/21, if you believe the ancient Mayans), but we're more the cocktail glass half-full type. And since Wednesday is actually 12/12/12 -- the luckiest day of the year -- here's where to kick back with a drink and raise a toast to good fortune in 2013. And perhaps, to the world not ending. You know, just to be on the safe side. – Chelsea Karnash
Spirits & Suds with Santa Bar Crawl
E Passyunk Ave
Philadelphia, Pa.
www.visiteastpassyunk.com
A five dollar admission price gets you a sweet Santa or Elf hat and access to $3 seasonal beers, $4 cocktails and discounted food at a dozen bars along East Passyunk Ave from 5:30 – 10 p.m. You'll earn a stamp for each snack or drink you order, and if you collect more than five, you'll be entered to win a gift package worth more than $300. All proceeds benefit local needy families through East Passyunk Crossing's holiday charity program, so here's hoping that good deeds = double the good karma on the luckiest day of the year!
Lucky Strikes
1336 Chestnut St
Philadelphia, Pa.
www.bowlluckystrike.com
Try your luck at scoring a "turkey" at this aptly-named bowling alley/cocktail lounge in Center City. And if bowling shoes aren't your thing, there's also comfy seating and six top-of-the-line billiards tables for a friendly round of pool.
Perch Pub's '12 Beers of Christmas'
Perch Pub
1345 Locust St
Philadelphia, Pa.
www.perchpub.com
Aside from being the luckiest day, it really is the most wonderful time of the year. One thing that makes it even better? Beer. Specifically, 12 days of craft beer at Perch Pub's 2nd annual "12 Beers of Christmas" celebration. Tonight's special brew is Sam Smith's Winter Welcome, and once you're done guzzling it, you can donate your empties to Perch's seasonal masterpiece: a 9-foot Christmas tree made out of beer bottles. Festive, fun and environmentally-friendly.
76ers v. Chicago Bulls
Wells Fargo Center
3601 S Broad St
Philadelphia, Pa.
www.wellsfargocenterphilly.com
Throw back a beer while you cheer on your fav team at tonight's game against the Chicago Bulls. The sporty fun starts at 7:30 p.m., and tickets are still available online.
Lucky's Last Chance
4421 Main St
Philadelphia, Pa.
www.luckyslastchance.com
Make the short trip out to the Manayunk 'hood for what's perhaps the most fitting spot to celebrate 12/12/12: Lucky's Last Chance. Amazing burgers (this month's is the droolworthy Thanksgiving Burger), craft beer and an array of cocktails will keep you feeling lucky all night long. As for the next day…well, there are no guarantees.
And if you'd rather spend the luckiest day of the year in the comfort of your own home, here's a delicious cocktail recipe from mixologist Al Sotack, of Philly's iconic Franklin Mortgage & Investment Co. It's called the Barriles, and it uses Ron Abuelo 12 Años, a dark rum from Panama that's been aged 12 years.
Barriles
Created by mixologist Al Sotack of Franklin Investment & Mortgage Company
1 ½ oz Ron Abuelo 12 Años
½ oz Lairds Apple Brandy Bottled in Bond
1 oz Punt e Mes vermouth
1 teaspoon Benedictine
1 dash Fee's aromatic bitters
Pour all ingredients into a mixing glass filled with ice and stir gently. Strain into a chilled glass with ice and garnish with a lemon or lime twist.
