Philly's nightlife is steady — and swagged out
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Philadelphia's nightlife has remained steady — but more local joints are joining a growing national trend of restaurants and bars offering swag as a way to up their brand awareness.
Why it matters: Philly is practically the custom swag capital of the U.S.
Driving the news: The number of in-person restaurant and bar transactions between 2024 and this September has remained relatively stable, with more Philadelphians staying out later in spring and summer and activity tapering in colder months, per a new report from payment processing Square.
The big picture: More companies are embracing the idea that they're not just a "fill-in-the-blank" business.
- Square tracked a sharp rise in restaurants, breweries, bars and cafes offering branded swag to customers, especially during the holidays — an often-untapped revenue with "higher margins than food service."
Reality check: In other words, the rest of America's hospitality industry is just swagger-jacking Philly.
- Merch has always been a huge part of Philly's sports fan culture — and several city joints are tapping the broader demand for custom threads and memorabilia.
Case in point: Local digital design firm Defy recently teamed up with Mission Taqueria on World Cup-inspired jerseys, while McGillin's Olde Ale House — a Center City staple — opened a retail shop and released a book celebrating its 165-year history.