Center City District Sips Returning For Its 15th Year This Summer

Contact:
JoAnn Loviglio
T 215.440.5546
jloviglio@centercityphila.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PHILADELPHIA (March 6, 2018) – Now in its 15th year, Center City District Sips will return on Wednesdays from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. More than 90 participating bars and restaurants are expected take part each Wednesday evening from June 6 through August 29.

This year, Center City District is making modifications to the program in order to ensure an enjoyable^ after-work experience for downtown office workers, a successful event for restaurant and bar owners and a well-managed event for everyone who lives and works downtown.

“As always, Sips is designed to encourage Philadelphia’s young professionals to unwind after work in Center City restaurants and bars during what can otherwise be a slow time for business,” said Michelle Shannon, Center City District Vice President of Marketing and Communications. “While the overwhelming majority of Sips patrons are well-behaved and observe all ordinances and regulations, we will be taking additional steps to ensure that Sips is safe, well-managed and successful for everyone involved.”

Changes this year to Sips will include:

• Partnering with the Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement, Philadelphia Police Department, Delaware River Port Authority police, PATCO police and SEPTA police to implement an operational and communications strategy
• Raising prices of Sips drink specials to $4 for beer, $5 for wine, and $6 for cocktails
• Expanding bicycle police patrols to monitor streets throughout Center City during Sips events
• Requiring larger venues to provide sufficient levels of staffing and security
• Emphasizing standard operating procedures with participating businesses to prevent over-serving and to ensure that identifications are checked for every patron
• Meeting with building owners to discuss crowd control, particularly at outdoor venues
   

“We want everyone to be able to enjoy themselves at all of the great bars and restaurants that take part in Sips on Wednesday nights,” said Frank S. Spera of the Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement. “However, we want to make this perfectly clear: If you’re underage, or if you’re traveling into Center City with the goal of drinking excessively and behaving badly, you should stay home.”

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The Center City District, a private-sector organization dedicated to making Center City Philadelphia clean, safe and attractive, is committed to maintaining Center City’s competitive edge as a regional employment center, a quality place to live, and a premier regional destination for dining, shopping and cultural attractions. Find us at www.centercityphila.org and on Facebook and Twitter.