Thursdays in Holmesburg are about to get a little more exotic.
Starting July 25, pop-up beer garden The Monarch will appear at the Insectarium and Butterfly Pavilion the fourth Thursday of every month. The event is aimed to bring nightlife to the area and donate proceeds back into the community.
Cheryl Molle, who serves on the boards for Holmesburg’s civic association and CDC, and John Cambridge, owner of the Insectarium and theater company Wings of Paper, collaborated on the project. Both noted a lack of nightlife in the neighborhood.
“We’ve been saying for a while that we’re lacking nightlife in general in Holmesburg, and while we do have community events, they are not often adult oriented,” Molle said.
The first beer garden will feature shopping, games, giveaways, live entertainment in the form of stand-up comedy and aerial performances, food and of course, beer. Beer will be provided courtesy of Grey Lodge Pub and food will be Mediterranean street food with Latin infusion from Byz.Empire and mini cupcakes from Awesome Little Cupcakes.
Having fun isn’t the only goal. Proceeds raised from the beer garden events over the months will funnel back into the community via safety and beautification initiatives. Money will go toward residential security cameras, improved crosswalks and more greenery for businesses as the events continue over the months, Molle said.
Proceeds from the first month will specifically go toward security cameras for residents. Attendees can pick up paper applications for the cameras at the event or apply online in the weeks following or will be able to pick up applications following neighborhood meetings such as civic associations. The goal is to gather proceeds for up to two security cameras from profits for the first event, with the program ongoing and dependent on revenue The Monarch earns.
“Beautification and safety are two major areas residents identified as areas for improvement,” Molle said.
Thursday night’s entertainment features a lineup of nine comedians and a performance from a Cirque du Nuit aerialist. Residents will be able to view and purchase dream catchers, unique women’s clothing or locally distilled liquor from 1675 Spirits. Henna tattoos will also be available, and there will be games like ladder toss and cornhole.
Buying the $5 ticket option includes one beer, and the $10 option includes two. Attendees can buy additional drinks such as beer and a limited number of cocktails. Free cocktails will be given out via raffle.
Tickets can be purchased at the door or online here.
