Center City District Sips Returns to Philly Bars and Restaurants

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.

“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.”

Improvements 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 approach
• Increasing 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
• Demanding larger venues to provide sufficient levels of staffing and security
• Emphasizing standard operating procedures with participating businesses to prevent over-serving and to guarantee that identifications are checked for every patrons.
• 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.”