El Techo, the New Rooftop Bar With a Retractable Roof, Opens in Center City

El Techo, the third piece of the puzzle in the Suraya team’s venture into Center City, is up and running as of Wednesday, October 23. The rooftop bar is on the 11th floor of the Pod Philly hotel; it joins Mexican restaurant Condesa and coffee shop El Cafe, both on street level in the hotel.

El Techo has a couple cool things going for it in addition to being from Defined Hospitality, the restaurant group behind Suraya and Pizzeria Beddia. One, it’s a rooftop destination in a city without too many real rooftop options. And two, it has a retractable glass roof, which means it can stay open year-round. In cold weather they’ll just close the roof but, since it’s glass, keep the sky and skyscraper views.

It’s drinks only to start, with a focus on agave-based spirits from Mexico along with beer, natural wines, and aguas frescas, but a food menu will be added soon. Aaron Deary, who did the cocktails at Condesa downstairs as well as Suraya and R&D, created the drinks list here too. Co-owner Nick Kennedy is the executive chef and Alberto Sandoval and Jerome Skaggs are the chefs de cuisine (same as downstairs).

El Techo’s entrance is at 1830 Ludlow Street. It’s open Wednesday to Saturday from 5 p.m. to “late night.” Take a peek:

Pixel Lab

Pixel Lab

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• The New Mexican Restaurant From the Pizzeria Beddia Team Is Now Taking Reservations
• Line Up for Conchas and Breakfast Tacos at El Cafe, the New Destination From the Suraya Crew
• 13 Essential Philly Rooftops and Decks for Outdoor Dining