Balcony Bar

ENSEMBLE ARTS PHILLY PRESENTS
THE RETURN OF BALCONY BAR,

AS PART OF CENTER CITY DISTRICT SIPS

 

Beginning June 11, Philadelphia’s favorite bird’s-eye view happy hour
returns to the Kimmel Center on Broad Street,

part of SIPS’ 21st season

 

Menu includes food and drink specials all summer long
as an extension of Curtain Call, the Plaza café and lounge
from Rhubarb Hospitality Collection,

Ensemble Arts’ exclusive partner

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Philadelphia, PA, May 27, 2025) –– Ensemble Arts Philly is excited to once again partner with Center City District SIPS for the return of Balcony Bar, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM starting Wednesday, June 11 and running through Wednesday, August 27, 2025. Located on the second tier and balcony of the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, the outdoor space is an extension of Curtain Call – the Plaza cafe and lounge – and features energizing, bird’s-eye views of Broad Street and City Hall along the iconic Avenue of the Arts, while the indoor space is perfect for rainy days or an air-conditioned break.

With discounted drinks and happy hour bites provided by Ensemble Arts Philly’s food and beverage partner Rhubarb Hospitality Collection, guests will enjoy views, beats from weekly rotating DJs, ticket giveaways to a range of performances presented by Ensemble Arts Philly – from Broadway to jazz, comedy to classical – and much more. Admission to Balcony Bar is FREE, with food and drink specials between $5 and $9 each.

"Our seasonal pop-up hot spot, Balcony Bar, is our official start to summer, the perfect excuse to enjoy good food and refreshing drinks with iconic Philadelphia views,” said Crystal Brewe, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing and Audience Experience Officer. “Alongside our partners at Center City District SIPS and Rhubarb Hospitality Collection, we’re curating a rotating lineup of fantastic, themed cocktails and bites inspired by our new cocktail lounge, Curtain Call. We are elated to, once again, make the Avenue of the Arts the place to be not just exceptional experiences, but also for outdoor fun with friends and the best view on Broad Street.”

This year's starter menu from Rhubarb Hospitality Collection includes:

BITES
Spiced Nut & Olives - $6
Hummus Dip - $7
Cheese Plate - $9

COCKTAILS
Rhubarb Paloma (Hornitos Tequlia, Rhubarb Simple, Lime) - $7

WINES
Sauvignon Blanc (5 oz) - $6
Red Blend (5 oz) - $6
Rose(5 oz) - $6

BEERS
Pale Ale - $5
Pilsner- $7
Hard Iced Tea- $8

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Tickets
Balcony Bar is a FREE event. Tickets are not required to enter the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, and drinks and food are pay-as-you-go.

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ADDITIONAL DINING OPTIONS INSIDE THE KIMMEL CENTER

Curtain Call
In January 2025, Ensemble Arts Philly announced the opening of Curtain Call, a vibrant all-day café and cocktail lounge located in the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts Plaza. Since its opening in mid-January, Curtain Call has enhanced the cultural experience for visitors by offering a dynamic space to relax and socialize while enjoying a morning coffee or happy hour on Broad Street. The space is open to all – no performance ticket required.

Daytime Ambiance:
During the day, “Curtain Call” serves as a welcoming café where patrons can enjoy their favorite hot beverages, fresh salads, and elevated sandwiches in a relaxed atmosphere.

Evening Transformation:
As night falls, the venue transforms into a lively cocktail lounge, offering an array of small sharing plates complemented by specialty cocktails.

Notable Patrons:
Guests may find themselves in the company of distinguished artists, including The Philadelphia Orchestra’s Music and Artistic Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin, musicians of The Philadelphia Orchestra, stars from touring Broadway shows, and performers from Ensemble Arts’s jazz, dance, and family events.

Curtain Call is poised to become a cornerstone of the Avenue of the Arts, offering both locals and visitors a unique destination to enhance their cultural outings.

Curtain Call is open Tuesday through Saturday, 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM, and Sunday, 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM. Open late on performance nights, with last call one-hour post-performance. This schedule applies to events at all Ensemble Arts Philly venues, including the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, Miller Theater, and the Academy of Music.

For more information and the menu, please visit Curtain Call - Ensemble Arts Philly

Leo

In April 2025, The Philadelphia Orchestra and Ensemble Arts Philly, in partnership with Rhubarb Hospitality Collection, announced the upcoming opening of Leo, a world-class restaurant and bar located inside the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. Leo will join the ranks of Philadelphia’s most beloved restaurants as a go-to spot to unwind, connect, and savor an exceptional meal anytime the mood strikes.

Guests are invited to experience the artistry of Leo where Executive Chef Chris Cryer’s culinary creativity harmonizes with the inspiring music and performances on our stages. Named after the legendary Philadelphia Orchestra Music Director Leopold Stokowski, Leo embodies his bold, innovative spirit – bringing flavors as dynamic and expressive as the art that fills our concert halls. Set to capture the Philadelphia spirit of bold innovation and refined simplicity, the restaurant is centrally located along a blossoming corridor of Spruce Street, just steps from the iconic Avenue of the Arts, and right around the corner from the historic Academy of Music and Miller Theater. In a city celebrated for its incredible dining scene built on restaurants that are at once world-class and neighborhood staples, Leo will be a welcome addition for locals and visitors alike!

Leo opened to the public on Friday, May 23, at 5:00 PM. For more information, visit https://www.leo-restaurant.com/

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About Rhubarb Hospitality Collection and Curtain Call and Leo
About Ensemble Arts Philly  
About The Philadelphia Orchestra  
Our Commitment to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access Strategies (IDEAS)
Plan Your Visit/Accessibility  

Click here for a PDF version of this press release.