Philadelphias 2019 Guide To Free Food Drinks And Entertainment Offers

Philadelphia in 2019 offered a diverse array of freebies and promotional opportunities for residents and visitors alike. From post-race celebrations and coffee specials to summer meal programs and entertainment discounts, the city provided numerous ways to enjoy products and experiences without cost. This comprehensive guide explores the various free samples, promotional offers, and no-cost opportunities available across different categories in the Philadelphia area during 2019.

Food and Drink Freebies

Post-Race Celebrations and Special Events

Following the Blue Cross Broad Street Run on May 5, 2019, participants and their supporters had multiple opportunities to enjoy complimentary beverages. The race's official after party at FDR Park featured a beer garden where all runners received a complimentary beverage. A coupon attached to each bib could be redeemed for either a craft beer or a Truly Hard Seltzer.

For runners seeking something different, Philadelphia Brewing Company located at 2440 Frankford Ave offered a free pint of ElectroLyte to anyone showing their race bib. This pale ale, with a 3.9 percent ABV, was specially brewed with apricots, white and pink grapefruit, Himalayan pink salt, and rye malts to provide more electrolytes than the average beer, making it an ideal post-race recovery drink.

Those preferring spirits could visit The Bourse in Old City, where Bluebird Distilling provided 1-ounce pours of their spirit of choice to runners who presented their bib. This offer extended beyond just the race participants, allowing friends and family to join in the celebration.

National Coffee Day Specials

September 29, 2019 marked National Coffee Day, and several Philadelphia-area establishments participated with special offers. Homegrown Coffee and Creations in South Philadelphia celebrated by offering $1 any-size coffees throughout the entire day. Dunkin' Donuts locations provided a buy-one-get-one-free deal on any hot coffee purchase.

Godiva got an early start on the celebration by offering free 12-ounce hot or iced coffees at their cafe locations. Wawa rewarded its loyalty program members with a complimentary cup of coffee on National Coffee Day. Sheetz customers who ordered through the app received any size or flavor of cold brew at no cost. Krispy Kreme customers enjoyed both free coffee and a free glazed doughnut, while 7-Eleven offered $1 any-size coffees to users of their 7Rewards app.

Summer Meal Programs

Recognizing the food insecurity challenges faced by many Philadelphia families, the city implemented a summer meals program providing free food to children and teens. Beginning June 17, 2019, and continuing through August 23, the program offered free breakfast, lunch, and snacks to individuals age 18 and under at various locations throughout Philadelphia.

Notably, these meals came with no restrictions based on income, identification, or citizenship status. Participants simply needed to show up and receive their meal. The program addressed a significant need, as statistics indicated that 50,000 students received free school lunches daily during the school year, and 20% of families in the School District of Philadelphia reported facing food insecurity in the 2021-2022 survey.

The summer meal program operated through federally funded, state-operated initiatives that covered the costs of providing ready-to-eat meals across the city and suburbs. With the average monthly food and beverage cost in Philadelphia approaching $300 per person, these programs served as a vital resource for many families.

Mother's Day Restaurant Offers

Philadelphia restaurants celebrated Mother's Day 2019 with a variety of free food offers and special events. While specific restaurant names and offerings varied, the promotions included free pizza, arepas, mango cheesecake, and flowers. Many establishments created special Mother's Day menus, brunches, beer tastings, and events designed to honor mothers in the region.

Evil Genius Beer Company in Fishtown hosted a special Mother's Day brewery tour and tasting on May 12, 2019. From 1:00pm to 3:00pm, the company offered private tours that included a flight of five Evil Genius Lab Exclusive beers and a Q&A session. While this event had an admission fee of $35.00 for two people, it represented a unique experience option for those seeking to celebrate Mother's Day with craft beer.

The King's Collar in Ardmore provided Mother's Day gift certificates for custom shirts, allowing customers to purchase special gifts in advance for mothers in their lives.

Entertainment and Attractions

Affordable Entertainment Options

Philadelphia offered several programs making entertainment more accessible to residents and visitors. The Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance's Funsavers program stood out as a valuable resource, sending half-price ticket offers to email subscribers for dozens of shows and events. The program covered theater, music, dance performances, and museum exhibitions, with participants able to contact the program at (215) 399-3521 for more information.

For individuals with disabilities or Pennsylvania ACCESS Card holders, Art-Reach provided two programs that made attractions more affordable. The ACCESS Philly program allowed cardholders to access 50 Philadelphia-area museums, theaters, and attractions for just $2 per person. The program was free to PA ACCESS cardholders and cost $75 for individuals identifying as having a disability, with each cardholder able to bring up to three guests at the reduced rate.

Philadelphia's Affordability Advantages

The city's affordability extended beyond entertainment options. Philadelphia residents enjoyed significant cost savings compared to other major metropolitan areas. According to salary.com, the cost of living in Philadelphia was 32% less than in Manhattan and 28% less than in Washington, D.C. Hotel rates in Philadelphia averaged 22% lower than those in New York City, as reported by Newsday in August 2019.

A notable advantage for shoppers in the region was the absence of sales tax on clothing or shoes, with exceptions only for furs, formal or ornamental wear, and accessories. This tax benefit provided immediate savings for residents purchasing everyday apparel and footwear.

Hotel Specials and Promotions

Tax Season Deals

Philadelphia's Kimpton hotels offered special promotions during tax season in 2019. Kimpton Hotel Palomar and Kimpton Hotel Monaco introduced a "File, Sip, Stay" package priced at $1,040, which included an overnight stay in the Presidential Suite, a bottle of champagne, and an in-room couples' massage. This package was available from April 15-22 and required booking 72 hours in advance through a private booking concierge.

Kimpton Hotel Monaco in Portland, Oregon extended a unique offer to accountants nationwide. By showing proof of their profession (such as a business card) at check-in, accountants had their taxes and fees covered on the nightly rate, plus received a complimentary drink. This offer was available from Tax Day through June 15 and could not be combined with other discounts.

Kimpton Hotel Pittsburgh provided a different tax-season promotion where guests who showed proof of owing money on their taxes could receive a bottle of red or white wine for just $10.40 when checking in between April 15-22, 2019.

Seasonal and Holiday Offers

Father's Day Preparations

While specific Father's Day offers weren't detailed in the provided sources, one mention indicated that Philadelphia restaurants were preparing to celebrate dads with freebies, free food, deals, specials, and events. The preview included ten Father's Day offers in Philadelphia, featuring free water ice, pizza, soup dumplings, Dan Dan noodles, and root beer floats, suggesting a similar approach to the Mother's Day celebrations.

Weekend-long Celebrations

Some restaurants extended their celebration periods beyond single days. SliCE Fishtown, for example, celebrated its first anniversary with a weekend-long pizza party starting November 17, 2017. During the celebration, the Fishtown location offered free pizza slices from 11am to 1pm and 5-7pm. Additionally, all four SliCE locations served all existing large signature pies for $10 for both dine-in and take-out, representing significant savings on their regular menu items.

Conclusion

Philadelphia's 2019 freebies and promotional offers demonstrated the city's commitment to providing accessible food, entertainment, and experiences to residents and visitors. From post-race celebrations and coffee specials to summer meal programs and entertainment discounts, the diverse array of opportunities reflected both the city's hospitality and its understanding of community needs.

The free summer meals program addressed critical food security challenges, while restaurant promotions and special events created opportunities for celebration without financial burden. Entertainment programs like Funsavers and Art-Reach made cultural experiences accessible to broader audiences, and the absence of sales tax on clothing provided ongoing savings for shoppers.

Hotel specials during tax season showed creativity in promotional offerings, while seasonal celebrations like Mother's Day highlighted the city's dining scene's ingenuity in honoring holidays. These freebies and deals not only enhanced residents' quality of life but also positioned Philadelphia as an affordable destination for visitors seeking value and experiences.

Sources

1. Broad Street Run Free Drinks
2. Philadelphia Restaurant Freebies
3. National Coffee Day Deals
4. Free Summer Meals Program
5. Philadelphia Affordability Facts
6. Tax Day Specials
7. Mother's Day Offers