Bucket List July 26 - July 31 Philadelphia, The Greatest City Never Sold

Now that the heat wave has passed and we can go outside again, chek out this week: free movies, happy hours and events to attend to the Philly bucket list for Philadelphia:

Tuesday, July 26:  Brewerytown Living tells me there's a doggy happy hour at 31st and Girard tonight. Just because the point is to refresh your dogs (and hope it doesn't go right through them like beer during happy hour), Mugshots is providing some refreshments for the doggie owners as well. Later on, enjoy a free movie at Dock Street Brewing - $1 off small pizzas, $2 off a large and $1 off drafts while the movie lasts - though it might make you a little "Dazed and Confused." The confusion starts at 8:30 p.m at 701 South 50th Street.

Wednesday, July 27: In case you haven't heard, there's a free ice cream giveaway from noon to 5 p.m. today at Reading Terminal Market, as if you needed another excuse to stop there for lunch. Also, the usual suspects will light up your hump day as usual: bamba (it's a real thing, not just a song from the 50s) at Penn Museum's $5 Summer Nights Music Series from 5-8 p.m and drinks for Center City Sips happy hour from 5-7. (free appetizers at M Restaurant inside The Morris House Hotel, 231 S. 8th). Also, Rocky V will be the South Street free film of the night, so after happy hour, sit yo ass down at 8 p.m. at Headhouse Square and watch Rocky win at life...again.


Thursday, July 28: Stop by Davio's, 111 S. 17th St., to support Philadelphia Cheesecake's reputation. Unbeknownst to most of Philadelphia,  our cheesecake is facing off against New York, and it's only $10 to taste and vote (for Philly - if you vote for NY, the damage to your car by angry Philly fans will probably cost you more). Elsewhere, our Thursday friend, Old City Social happy hour (6-8 p.m.), will supply you with $3 Hoegaarden, Skyy vodka and Don Q Rum drinks - and a little extra time to work late and still catch a discounted beverage. 'Eat, Pray, Love" under the stars at Penn's Landing tonight for the Thursday Night free movie. It doesn't even mess with happy hour, since it doesn't start until 8:30(ish).

Friday, July 29: Night polo, live music and wine - enjoyed freely by all, though hopefully not the polo players, because that could get messy. Friday Nights Under the Stars at Brandywine Polo Club hosts a fabulous night game - it's bring your own picnic, and enjoy. Gates open at 5:30, live music starts at 7:30, and if you're not too shwasted after 4 hours of wine, last call is at 9.


Saturday, July 30: National Cheesecake Day. Check in for the results of the Philly vs. New York cheesecake competition. For something more active...there's a free concert and car show at Tom Oates in Chester Springs, where I spent my rebellious teenage years. Since nothing usually happens in little Chester Springs, this is noteworthy. OR for something a lot more exciting, head to NoLibs Arrow Swim Club, where $10 gets you a drink and admission to a $1,000 per summer swim club (if you get it here). There will be "Pool Side Beats" from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m., and if you want one, you're gauranteed a dip in the pool - it's, and I quote, "HIGHLY ENCOURAGED" - a.k.a., hotties bring your bodies, and don't be shy about showing them off...


Sunday, July 31: North Second Street Festival.

Bucket List July 19 - July 25 Philadelphia, The Greatest City Never Sold

Along with record heat, this week brings more free movies, great happy hours and great events to attend to the Philly bucket list for Philadelphia:

Tuesday, July 19: It's a big kid's dream meal: Grilled Cheese and Beer. Find it at World Cafe Live tonight at 7 p.m. for $35. There are still tickets available for the craft beer and gourmet cheese extravaganza here. Also at 7 p.m., scope some live jazz music at Veteran’s Memorial Park at 31st and Girard Ave and treat yourself to some cupcakes and vendy cuisine from award-winning trucks at the scene - and don't forget to thank Brewerytown Living.

Wednesday, July 20: Wednesday's in summer are awesome, and if you're willing to brave the heat there's plenty to do. Listen to music as the West Philadelphia Orchestra will light up Penn Museum's $5 Summer Nights Music Series from 5-8 p.m.  Get a drink in Center City during Center City Sips happy hour from 5-7. (Hint: Check out the birthday party at Marathon at 1818 Market St. for free appetizers and giveaways) Catch a free movie as long as you bring your own chair for the 2011 Indie Film Series, featuring Night Catches Us at Headhouse Square on South Street OR pay $10 to see 12 Monkeys at Eastern State Penitentiary where it was filmed. If you're looking for a party, head to the Main Line - Join AroundMainLine.com at Gullifty's Gaarden from 5 to 8 p.m. for some complimentary bites and happy hour brews at Gullifty's (1149 W Lancaster Avenue in Rosemont, PA).

Thursday, July 21:  As usual, Old City Social on Thursdays means happy hour from 6-8 p.m. with $3 Hoegaarden, Skyy vodka and Don Q Rum drinks. While you're in Old City, stop by my favorite Cuban spot, Cuba Libre, for hora feliz. It's Heminmingway's 112th Birthday so Cuba Libre is serving up his favorite beverage, a Papa Doble, for $5 - plus $4 small plates. In case you aren't well-versed in Hemmingspeak, a papa doble is a giant freaking double daiquiri - perfect for this sweltering weather If you'll be in the Passyunk area instead, try some free international beer tastings at The Bottle Shop. For a free happy hour, check out Know It All Philly - a free happy hour at Mac's Tavern supporting an animal charity! Also, as usual NBC and B101 present the Thursday Night Free Movie at Penn's Landing. This week's flick? The Social Network, so with all the commotion going on, IPOs of social networks and scandals, don't miss out. 

Friday, July 22: Watch the Camden River Shark's fireworks without boring yourself to death through the gam - stake a spot at Penn's Landing and let the show begin (around 7 p.m.) to the tunes of a free smooth jazz show. If you're looking for something more classy, consider going to the Art After 5 exhibit at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Their Martinis on the Portico drink menu is sure to please, and after your $16 admission, there are free guided tours. Plus, you'll be treated to the croonings of a lively Cuban-American jazz singer, Venissa Santi.

Saturday, July 23: Happy National Hot Dog Day! From 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., Silicon Gallery Fine Art Prints at 139 North 3rd Street is celebrating with free hot dogs for those who bring gently used baby stuff for charity. If you don't have kids, well I guess you'll have to snag something off a passing stroller. If you do have kids, then check out WXPN's eXPoNential Musical Festival started Friday and runs until Sunday. It's $30 for an adult and only $5 for kids, though dropping kids under 12 off and leaving them for a couple hours is socially frowned-upon. (If you get bored and want to plan ahead, think about this: University City Dining Days: pre-set $15, $25 and $25 menus until July 28th)

Sunday, July 24: As a horse-back rider, I believe polo is a beautiful and exciting sport - where else do you get to zip around on horses and whack a ball with a club? Today, see Brandywine Polo Club face off in the Philadelphia Cup Polo Match at their location in bumble-uh, Toughkenamon, PA. You can even get VIP access with this Groupon: $50 - if the polo isn't a big enough draw, consider the high-class open bar and buffet. Dress to impress and your pic could end up on the society pages... If your wallet won't allow you to class it up, the Awesomefest Free Movie at the Piazza at Schmidt's is Orbit - a tale of planets. A good way to unwind and fall asleep on a Sunday...

Monday, July 25:  Coming Soon: (Again, try University City Dining Days: pre-set $15, $25 and $25 menus until July 28th - or possibly hit up one of my favorite happy hours :)

Not Your Grandma's Bingo Night

You’ve probably thought about going to "Bingo Night" since you discovered Atlantic City and alcohol, but you've probably never heard of The Underground Bingo Club either. Apparently every week, across the world, thousands of party people descend on cleverly disguised meetings of said club in cities as far afield (thats British-speak for far) as London, New York, and Madrid. People come to drink, dance, scream and shout - but above all - to play hardcore Rebel Bingo and win weird prizes. What started as a few drunken friends messing around with a bingo kit in a London basement has now become a global underground revolution.

On July 15th,  The Underground Rebel Bingo Club is coming to Philadelphia for one night, before they disappear into the shadows, and possibly obscurity, again. 

It’s bingo, sort of, but not like you’ve seen it before. They made up our own rules, because they don't know how to play ACTUAL bingo. This is Rebel Bingo. It's not nice and it's not fair. Do not bring your grandma. Find a cover story and stick to it, because you won't want anyone knowing where you are. In fact, the location is usually kept secret until the night of the party, but Philly Hub has the scoop: It's at the Blockley.

If you want to be a part of the revolution, seek the club out between 9 p.m. and 2 a.m. on Friday. Tickets range between $4 and $10 - if you get them now, they'll cost less and you'll have more time to come up with your cover story. GET A FREE PAIR OF TICKETS, maybe, if you TWEET this link: http://bit.ly/p0gLBP. Random winner will know on Friday if they've won.

A night of dancing, drinking…….and hardcore rebel bingo. It involves markers. Like a highlighter party, but upgraded.

To be the first to find out how to get into The Underground Rebel Bingo Club - Philadelphia, check out the event on facebook or twitter.  

Just don’t tell anyone about it.

Bucket List July 12 - July 19: Philadelphia, The Greatest City Never Sold

Now It's the summer of free festivals, concerts and event in Philly, and this week it is Global Fusion Week's turn to host the line up (See a full schedule here.) Here's the weekly bucket list for Philadelphia:

Tuesday, July 12: Watch Phillies Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee and Shane Victorino face off against baseball stars brave enough to play in the All-Star Game at 8 p.m. Hamels is sitting this one out, but ladies - there will be plenty of other hotties in tight pants playing. Also, Global Fusion Week kicked off yesterday - Tonight's pick? Global Fusion's Wine, Dine & Dance at Reef Restaurant and Lounge starts at 9 p.m., and $7 of cover will get you a night of hot Latin beats, a salsa dance lesson and the chance to be swept off your feet, literally. Mmm, spicy!

Wednesday, July 13: A short story about today: 23 long years ago on this day, God blessed the world with a screaming baby. While definitely not immaculately conceived (though when my mother insists on telling me about that time in Vermont, I wish I was) or here to save the world, I arrived none the less to wreak havoc. Happy Birthday, self. Even outside of my birthday, Wednesday promises to be exciting as usual. 1 - Penn Museum's $5 Summer Nights Music Series is going Global with fusion-inspired  New Orleans-style music from Zydeco-A-Go-Go at the UPenn Museum of Archaeology (5-8 p.m.) 2 - Summer is still hot as ever, so you can still abuse Center City Sips from 5-7. (Hint: Their birthday party is at a fantastic location this week, Jolly's Dueling Piano Bar, 1420 Locust St.) 3 -Bastille events start today, check out Know It All Philly for french specials. 4 - Bring the kids to Headhouse Square on South Street: Free admission to see Blender child friendly films produced by animators from around the world.

Thursday, July 14:   Happy Birthday, France - Wahoo it's Bastille Day. With the heavy french influence (marketing) in Philadelhia, there are quite a few special events, drinks or meals going on. Eastern State Penitentiary is encouraging citizens to dress French and descend upon some Fairmount restaurants in the Fairmount French Fling Bar Crawl starting at 7:30. If you want to be cultural but not French (and who can blame you), definitely drop by the Global Fusion Week's Game Night Thursday & Martini Mixer at Reef Restaurant between 5 p.m. and 11 p.m.. While it may not be the same as the archery range at the games bar in Buenos Aires I used to frequent, bring a few friends and you're likely to have almost as good a time with board card and group games - the $20 Martini Pitchers will make sure of that. As usual, Old City Social on Thursdays means happy hour from 6-8 p.m. with $3 Hoegaarden, Skyy vodka and Don Q Rum drinks. 

Friday, July 15: From 9 p.. to 2 a.m. check out the Blockley for Rebel Bingo. By The Underground Rebel Bingo Club, it's a one-of-a-kind experience you may never have again - and some will certainly hope they won't have to. Also going on - Bastille Day Weekend? Stop by the London Grille Bar to spin the French wheel and possibly win some prizes, then head over to Mugshots Cafe - they're showing Ratatouille at 7 p.m.! And they have french sodas (the buying of which will score you a free mini cupcake!) If you want to do something mainstream - go see the last installment of Harry Potter And The Deathly Hollows! (And if you think the 'Arry wizarding cult ends with the last movie - you're wrong.)

Saturday, July 16: It's another day of free festivals in Philadelphia, starting with the Global Fusion Festival, 12-8 p.m. with headliner Estelle and many more multi-cultural artists. In the Fairmount neighborhood, the Bastille Day Street Festival is both family and wallet-friendly. Catch some TastyKakes from the towers of the Penitentiary, win a contest, browse the French wares, watch a fashion show and listen to some French tunes. Oh, and at 5:30 storm the "Bastille" for the chance to behead a local expensive restaurant owner, er, Marie Antoinette. Twilight tours of the ancient jail are only $10...

Sunday, July 17: University City Dining Days kicked off on Thursday. What better day than Sunday to get a piece of it? However, the pre-set $15, $25 and $25 menus go on until July 28th, so you have plenty of times to make your move.

Monday, June 18:  Cavanaugh Brew & Chew, $20. Check out Drink Philly's rundown of the event here. The highlights? $20 gets you four cervezas and four tapas-style dishes. Also, if you're looking for a free lunch, defy the laws of economics and score one at Opa today. (Thanks KnowItAllPhilly for the tip!) Stop by for some free bites during lunch and check out their new noontime menu - it starts a $3 so you can't go wrong.

Bucket List July 6 - July 11: Philadelphia, The Greatest City Never Sold

Now that the flurry of free festivals, fireworks and fourth celebrations is over, it's time to start all over again. Here's the weekly Philly Hub bucket list for the Greatest City Never Sold (Philadelphia): 

Wednesday, July 6: The recurring theme of Whursday (Wednesday as the new Thursday) carries on with a crazy line-up of stuff to do. For "First Wednesday" Silk City is holding a ROOT RUM REGGAE series in their outdoor garden (435 Spring Garden St). The $4 Don Q, Sailer Jerry and Art in the Age cocktails plus giveaways, no cover and Marleysque music make it worth stopping by between 6 and 8 p.m. If you 're feeling classy, find some flamenco tunes and drinks at Penn Museum for $5 (free for members) from 5-8 p.m. for their Summer Nights Music Series. Or once again, enjoy Center City Sips from 5-7. Hint: The weekly birthday party held by CC Sips for itself is at Smokin' Betty's' on the NW corner of 11th and Sansom. I suggest hopping from Sips to the Root Rum Reggae experience.

Thursday, July 7: Schuylkill Banks brings you another free movie screening by the Walnut Street Bridge, this time with some Spiderman action. The movie starts at dusk (8:20ish) and an early arrival might score you free snacks. If you feel like eating, the Baltimore Dollar Stroll is back - every first Thursday, remember? No? check it  - bringing you ice cream, beer, samosas, espresso and more - for a buck. If you feel like drinking, Old City Social gives you a little city-district-wide happy hour deja vu from 6-8 p.m. with $3 select drinks. Better yet, if you still need an excuse after Old City Social to drink, listen to music and play games, hit up Dave & Buster's tonight. A little bird (Philly Chit Chat) says that Taylor Swift's opening act, country singer Frankie Ballard will be perform at D&B's Dockside Bar as part of the 92.5 Country on the River event from 8:30-10 p.m. $2 PBRs, keeping it classy.

Friday, July 8: After the Phillies being out of town so long, it's definitely time to celebrate even if you can't watch the game in person. Chickies & Pete's is holding a Phillies Fan Friday with SoCo specials, games & giveaways, prizes, and a chance to win a pair of Phillies tickets AND a free VIP drink & food party. If you'd like to get your film on, Q fest kicked off yesterday, so celebrate our right as free Americans to choose our own sexual orientation by watching a LGBT film at the Ritz Theater East ($10). There are showings from 5 pm on. For something more interactive, unleash your inner hipster at the First Person Arts Story Slam (part of the Chestnut Hill Book Festival going on this weekend). It kicks off at 7:30 p.m. at the Venetian Social Club on Germantown Ave in Philly, and the theme is "Firsts" - so go listen to some local tale spinners ($10) and possibly share your own story (priceless).

Saturday, July 9: If your fourth of July turned into a disaster due to your cooking skills, or lack thereof, there's a free chance to redeem yourself and learn some game at the Acme at 920 Red Lion Road in Philadelphia. Known as the "Corral," grownups can bring the kids to the parking lot for the games and then sample some real Amurican beef off the grill, plus learn tips from the experts. For those looking for soething darker and less family-friendly, the Danger After Dark scary film festival is showing Bangkok Knockout. I have no idea what it's about, but with a title like that, who cares? Also, if you have some spare cash or you just really like food trucks, attend the Vendy Awards - $25 for unlimited tastes, music, and the chance to bug Mayor Nutter.

Sunday, July 10: Happy National Piña Colada Day! While I haven't heard of any great priced Colada deals yet, Alma de Cuba's Alma Colada with Don Q Rum will be $10, and with passion fruit and coconut cream it's a great temptation to splurge. Yum Rum! In light of Piña Colada Day, don't forget to spend some time at Penn's Landing for the free 31st Annual Hispanic Fiesta. As someone who spent months in Argentina, take it from me that the culture is unrivaled in dancing & finger food. Go for the samba and stay for the Chio (host of 96.5, who will be addressing the attendees.)

Monday, June 11:  It's the kick off of Global Fusion Week! It's game night at Raven Lounge to kick off the week, and I don't know what's multicultural about a Champagne and Pop Rocks Fusion or a Papa Smurf cocktail, but I do know they're buy one get one free, and they sound ridiculous. I have to have one. Also on the have to have list? A free slurpee, because it's Free Slurpee Day at 7-11!

For More Events this Weekend: To find out about quality events in Philadelphia, visit uwishunu.com  For free/cheap events, read the Examiner.com Page for Philadelphia Budget Events. Additionally,  follow me on twitter for constant updates. And most importantly, if you're headed to the New Jersey Shore for the week, weekend, or overnight, Drink Jersey Shore has got you covered for bar specials, events and restaurants to keep you guido.