With the weather heating up, bars, taverns and pubs have been cleaning out their outdoor spaces and preparing them for customers who want to enjoy warm weather while enjoying a cold beer, a cocktail or whatever alcoholic beverage they may crave. Spirit News spent some time during the past couple of weeks roaming nearby neighborhoods and scouting out some bars that are commendable for their use of outdoor space.

Olde Richmond: The Memphis Taproom  – (2331 E Cumberland St.)

  Picnic tables are scattered throughout the outdoor space in this establishment, known for serving a large assortment of quality beer and southern food. It’s not a large space, but a gate separates it from the sidewalk on Cumberland, almost giving it a sense of a private yard. There’s also a mini-bus in the back serving up various items from Taproom’s menu.              

  Our recommendation is to head there on a nice day, grab a glass of Tired Hands beer from the bar and enjoy the sunshine in between two rowhouses in an up-and-coming neighborhood.

East Kensington: Martha – (2113 E York St.)

  Martha has one of the best outdoor spaces of any bar in the city. Sure, there isn’t the rooftop view like some in Center City, but the overall design and use of artwork and outdoor space at this place is pretty impressive. Those who want a cold brew can enjoy sitting at one of several tables, or set their beer on a cask like Spirit News did.

  The crowd Martha attracts is certainly cooler than this article’s author, but that’s not to say Martha doesn’t nail the aesthetic of a quality neighborhood bar, like its website suggests. Ultimately, it’s a top-notch spot for unwinding after a day of work.

Northern Liberties: Standard Tap – (901 N 2nd St.)

  It’s a fairly well-known bar in No Libs, but that doesn’t take away from the second-floor patio. If you take our lead, you grab a happy hour beer (selected varieties are half-off) and sit near the ledge of that patio, overlooking the busy rush-hour traffic at 2nd and Poplar Streets.

  There’s around 20 beers on tap at this place, and quality burgers to go with them. The menu also offers more sophisticated grub, like mussels and grilled octopus.

Fishtown: Interstate Draft House – (1235 E Palmer St.)

  While many can grab a seat at Frankford Hall or outside Johnny Brenda’s, Interstate Draft House sits right near the Fishtown Recreation Center. Make your way through the bar and to their back patio, where their happy hour specials and drink options are written on a chalkboard outside.

  Like the Memphis Taproom, it’s a solid use of outdoor space, and may make customers feel like they’re on someone’s back patio. We suggest grabbing a happy hour beer ($4) and relaxing in the warm weather, secluded from the busy spaces that line Girard and Frankford Avenues.

Port Richmond: Green Rock Tavern – (2546 E Lehigh Ave.)

  So we loosely put this on the list, not because it sits right on the edge of our Olde Richmond/ Port Richmond border, but because there is no outdoor space at this place. You can, however, do what this writer did: Grab a seat near the front door, open on warm days, and enjoy that Port Richmond breeze blowing in.

  There’s a solid selection of tap beer here, but the must-have is their homemade perogies, which remind this writer of the ones his aunt makes at Christmas. Either way, be sure to enjoy a cold one at this newish tavern, which opened a decade ago. •