ENSEMBLE ARTS PHILLY KICKS OFF THE SUMMER SEASON WITH THE RETURN OF BALCONY BAR AT CURTAIN CALL,
PART OF CENTER CITY DISTRICT SIPS’
22ND SEASON
Philly’s favorite happy hour with a bird’s eye view returns
to the Kimmel Center starting Wednesday, June 3
Menu includes food and drink specials all summer long as an extension of Curtain Call, the Kimmel Center's café and lounge,
in partnership with Rhubarb Hospitality Collection
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Philadelphia, PA, April 22, 2026) –– Ensemble Arts Philly is excited to once again partner with Center City District SIPS for the return of Balcony Bar at Curtain Call, starting Wednesday, June 3, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, and running through Wednesday, August 26, 2026. 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 Kimmel Center’s café 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 – from Broadway to jazz, comedy to classical, and much more. Admission to Balcony Bar is FREE, with food and drink specials between $6 and $9 each.
“If summertime is a theatrical production, Balcony Bar is our big opening number – the moment the curtain rises and the summer season truly begins,” said Crystal Brewe, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. “Through our partnership with Center City District SIPS and Rhubarb Hospitality Collection, it’s an easy way to gather, unwind, and extend an evening with us. As the city looks ahead to an exciting summer, we’re proud to help create a welcoming place where people can come together and enjoy being downtown.”
This year's starter menu from Rhubarb Hospitality Collection includes:
$9 BITES
Nachos
Chili dogs
Hot dogs
Vegan hummus trays
Additional options for vegan and vegetarian guests
$8 COCKTAILS
Botanical Spritz
Tequila Hornitos Ginger Paloma (FEATURING HORNITOS TEQUILA)
Rotational Selection Whiskey Cocktail
$6 MOCKTAIL
Grapefruit Ginger Lime Spritzer
$7 WINES (FEATURING KIM CRAWFORD WINES)
Red
White
Sparkling
$6 BEERS (12 OZ CANS)
Dock Street Pilsner
Yards PPA
Yards Summer Crush
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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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Balcony Bar can be enjoyed for additional nights this summer for interested groups, subject to availability. Please inquire on the Curtain Call website at CONTACT | Curtain Call.
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ADDITIONAL DINING OPTIONS INSIDE THE KIMMEL CENTER
Curtain Call
Curtain Call is Ensemble Arts Philly’s vibrant all-day café and cocktail lounge located in the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts Plaza, operated in partnership with Rhubarb Hospitality Collection. Since its opening in mid-January 2025, 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’ jazz, dance, and family events.
Curtain Call is 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.
Curtain Call is open for happy hour Wednesday through Friday, 4:30–6:30 PM. The menu is available here.
For more information and the menu, please visit Curtain Call - Ensemble Arts Philly
Leo
Leo is a world-class restaurant and bar located inside the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, developed in partnership with The Philadelphia Orchestra and Ensemble Arts and Rhubarb Hospitality Collection. After opening last year, Leo has joined 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. Capturing 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 is a welcome addition for locals and visitors alike!
In addition to an à la carte menu, Leo offers a pre-theater menu, monthly wine tastings, and happy hours (Wednesday through Friday, 4:30–6:30 PM).
For more information, visit https://www.leo-restaurant.com/.
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About Ensemble Arts Philly
About The Philadelphia Orchestra
Our Commitment to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access Strategies (IDEAS)
Plan Your Visit/Accessibility
About Rhubarb Hospitality Collection and Curtain Call and Leo
Click here for a PDF version of this press release.
Press Contact:
Lauren A. Woodard Hall
484-832-1963