This Rittenhouse Bar Is Turning Into a Flower-Filled Indoor Garden

For four days this week, a.bar on Rittenhouse Square is turning into a flower-filled indoor garden — with drinks, of course. The floral pop-up is called The Betsy, and it’s a collaboration between a.bar (18th and Walnut) and Bluecoat Gin, made by local distillery Philadelphia Distilling. It arrives Thursday, May 16, and lasts only through Sunday, May 19, coinciding with the Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival on May 18.

The pop-up appeared at the distillery for a few days last month.

It’s named after Betsy Ross, who also lends her name to a Bluecoat Gin cocktail made with the distillery’s new Elderflower Gin, simple syrup, lemon juice, and muddled strawberries. Since the point of the pop-up is to show off the new gin, that cocktail will be available along with several others that make use of it, like the Elderflower Spritz with clementine aperitif, blanc vermouth, sparkling cider, and an edible rose garnish. Each is going for $12.

A.bar is part of Ellen Yin’s High Street Hospitality Group, which includes High Street on Market, Fork, and, on the same block, a.kitchen.

Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival, the annual street fest with food and retail vendors, is on from noon to 5 p.m. on May 18, taking over Walnut Street from the park to Broad Street.

For a permanent flower-filled drinking experience, check out the new Blume, also in the Rittenhouse neighborhood.