With Pride Month underway, there are so many ways to celebrate love in PA. Parades, parties and special events across the Commonwealth recognize the history, culture and achievements of LGBTQ+ folks, for whom equality and acceptance have not always been assured. Restaurants, bars and clubs get creative in June, with playful, colorful and tasty specials adorning the menus. Many donate a portion of drink sales to organizations that support and engage with LGBTQ+ youth and adults all year long. Toast Pride in style with these festive potables available this month in PA:
The Pride Cocktail Collection at The Wayward: This assortment of five Pride-themed cocktails is inspired by LGBTQIA+ icons such Sylvia Rivera, an advocate for queer liberation and many other marginalized groups, for whom Sylvia’s Strength is named. It’s made with tequila, pink guava dragonfruit and coconut with a Tajín rim. For every Pride cocktail sold, The Wayward donates $1 to the Mazzoni Center, a local LGBTW+ health and wellness center. 1170 Ludlow St., Philadelphia; (215) 258-9430.
Sylvia’s Strength by The Wayward
Lavender Marriage at Grace and Proper: This swirly, creamy concoction combines Jamaican rum, coconut, pineapple, lime and purple ube paint for a little work of art at this popular South Philly haunt. 941 S. 8th St., Philadelphia; no phone.
Rainbow Champagne Johnny Drops at The Twisted Tail: These fun and bubbly refreshers are available weekends-only through June, combining elegant champs with playful popsicles. 509 S. 2nd St., Philadelphia; (215) 558-2471.
Rainbow Champagne JohnnyPops at The Twisted Tail
Lavender Love at Victory Taproom Philly: Head to the Ben Franklin Parkway for a sweet cocktail by Victory. This purple martini is made with elderflower liqueur, lavender syrup, lemon juice, mint, sparkling wine and club soda. It’s available all month long with a portion of every sale going to William Way LGBT Community Center. 1776 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy., Philadelphia; (445) 223-1130.
The WEGAY at Tattooed Mom: This beloved Pride month cocktail is available through June. It’s bright blue, tropical and fruity, made with coconut rum, tequila, blue curaçao, pineapple and lemon and topped with a pride flag straw. 530 South St., Philadelphia; (215) 238-9880.
WEGAY at Tattooed Mom
Philly Pride at McGillin’s Olde Ale House: Toast love with this ruby red potable made with Tito’s vodka, orange liqueur, lemonade and cranberry juice with a cherry and Pride flag garnish. For each cocktail purchased in June, McGillin’s will donate $1 to William Way LGBT Community Center, an organization engaging and supporting LGBTQIA+ communities the greater Philadelphia area. 1310 Drury St., Philadelphia; (215) 735-5562.
Philly Pride at McGillin’s Olde Ale House
Love is Love Lemonade at Vault Brewing: Celebrate Pride in Yardley with this vibrant pink-meets-blue cocktail in a tall Tom Collins glass. It’s made with vodka, lemonade, strawberry purée and blue curaçao and finished with a dehydrated lemon garnish. For each Love is Love sold, Vault Brewing will donate $1 to the Rainbow Room, Planned Parenthood’s Keystone’s LGBTQ+ and friends youth center in Bucks County. 10 S. Main St., Yardley; (267) 573-4291.
Love is Love Lemonade at Vault Brewing
Rainbow Flight at The Melting Pot of Bethlehem: Find a special Pride menu all month long with creative features in each color of the rainbow! Choose from cinnamon-cranberry Ruby Red Slipper, Boots made with peach bourbon, Hey Yuze Guys with yuzu puree, Cucumber Kiki, Sapphic Shore with blue curaçao and the purple-hued Ace Up Your Sleeve. They’re $13 each, or try the full flight of six 3-ounce minis for $20. 1 E. Broad St., Suite 100, Bethlehem; (484) 241-4939.
Lady Finch at Shot & Bottle: This pretty purple beverage, made with Penn Square Lavender vodka, Earl Grey and lemon is available June 2 – June 14, with $2 per cocktail sale donated to Lancaster Pride, a volunteer-driven nonprofit making Lancaster County safe, welcoming and inclusive for LGBTQIA+ people and allies. 2 N. Queen St., Lancaster; (717) 617-2159.
Pride Drink Specials at Midnight Oil: Sip on some elevated NA beverages at this inclusive board game cafe with six to choose from during Pride Month, including Lesbian Awakening pomegranate lemonade with mango jellies and Boy Kisser, a sparkling blue raspberry green apple lemonade complete with glitter. 44 N. Christian St., Lancaster; (717) 203-0382.
Lesbian Awakening and Boy Kisser at Midnight Oil
- Photos: Courtesy of the respective businesses
