Reconnect with the analog world this summer: movement, sunlight, conversation, music, sweat, community, and chance encounters. “Touch Grass” is an invitation to log off long enough to remember your body, your neighbors, and your city still exists.
@transportcycles | transportcycle.com
Can you introduce yourself and how you found your way to Bok?
I’m Simon Firth, co-owner of Transport Cycles. Bok sent us an email to ask if we wanted to open a bike shop here, because they wanted a bike shop downstairs. And I said, “Yes please, I would like to open a bike shop here.”
What would you say to someone in Philly who’s curious about biking but still a little hesitant to give it a try?
Give Indego Bike Share a go first. And if you’re on a regular commute route, figure out the quiet streets that you’re comfortable on, and go with that. If there are bike lanes, use those!
How would you describe the bike community or cycling culture in Philly right now?
Diverse. We’ve got roadie nerds, commuters, wheelie kids, group riders, social cyclists, and people who just use their bikes to get to work in the morning.
How does it compare to other cities — is the biking community here thriving?
I think it is. South Philly is a huge bike commuting area — it’s a perfect city for cycling. It’s flat, it’s compact, and there are plenty of ways to get out of the way. It’s not perfect, but no worries.
@redshiftsports | redshiftsports.com
What was the original “this doesn’t feel right” moment that led to Redshift Sports existing in the first place?
Scott Poff: The original problem that inspired us to start Redshift Sports was an issue we all experience living in the city: wanting to do more with limited space! My two business partners and I were regular cyclists in the city but were getting into triathlon. A common upgrade once you get into the sport is a dedicated triathlon bike, which is very specialized and expensive. We wondered if you could just reconfigure your road bike for dual use, which led us to design the Switch Aero System in 2013.
How has Redshift evolved during your time at Bok, and what has changed most significantly since you first moved in?
When we moved into Bok in 2018, our Philly team had just a few people and there were a couple dozen products. The details of business operations existed mostly in our heads and there was less potential for miscommunication. Now we’re about 6 times that size with over a hundred products, so individual roles must be better defined and processes must be well documented. But we can still squeeze the whole team into the elevator on the way to Bok Bar so there are no strangers here.
How do you approach designing and producing high-performance cycling components while operating out of Bok here in South Philly?
Hot take on fixed gear riding?
Put a brake on it.
Any parting words of wisdom?
Just keep pedaling.
What would you say to someone in Philly who’s curious about biking but still a little hesitant to give it a try?
Just start by riding on MLK Drive when it’s closed to car traffic on the weekend. It’s beautiful, wide, flat, and full of other cyclists of all abilities. Find someone at your speed and chat them up!
Where are your favorite places to ride your bike in Philly?
Mountain bike: For me, nothing beats escaping to the small trails around Belmont Plateau in the spring when the undergrowth is bright green and well lit because the trees haven’t filled out with leaves yet.
Every product starts as a problem we’ve encountered as cyclists, whether it’s addressing literal pain points from racing in endurance events, or wishing we were more visible to cars while commuting around the city. One great thing about living in the city and working at Bok is that we can commute by bike, so product inspiration is built into daily life.
Gravel Bike: My wife and I love riding out to Forbidden Drive in Wissahickon on our gravel bikes. Nowhere else in the city matches this long stretch of riding away from cars, surrounded by nature, and with plenty of trail width to ride side-by-side and chat.
@amynovinski | amynovinski.com
How does your business encourage people to break out of their online bubble?
Amy Novinski: Although we do offer virtual classes for students who live outside of Philly (as far as Sweden, Germany, and Peru!), nothing beats in person training. One of my favorite offerings is our six-week Introduction to Ballet course, which invites adults with no prior experience to come together in the studio and learn the fundamentals of classical ballet. Over the course of each 90-minute class, students gain a deeper understanding of their bodies, posture, musicality, spatial awareness, and how to move confidently through space together.
One of your favorite ways NOT to be online...
Spending time at the ballet barre and coordinating my brain, body, and breath to do the ridiculous thing. What ballet asks for is the antithesis of the virtual world where you’re living behind your eyes in your brain with no access to your body. That’s my favorite for sure!
A fave spot to unplug...
Nothing beats the Schuylkill River Trail and a picnic basket.
OuHow does your business encourage people to break out of their online bubble?
Rita Carroll: Out&Back Creative works with events and brands within the running and outdoor industries to give community members a wellsupported and special experience. We also host a weekly run club that meets year round on Wednesdays at 5:30pm outside of the Bok building by the blocks for a 3 mile, all paces run. It’s a great time to move and be social!
One of your favorite ways NOT to be online...
Swimming!
A fave spot to unplug...
Sitting outside of Lloyd Hall/Cosmic Cafe after a run on a Saturday morning is really the best.
How does your business encourage people to break out of their online bubble?
Katie Gould: KG Strong helps people log off by giving them a place to move their bodies, use their hands, focus, sweat, and connect with actual humans in real life. A one-hour workout usually turns into 2–3 hours of screen-free time between walking or biking to the studio, training, chatting, and hanging out after class. Beyond workouts, we also offer a free run club, book club, craft club, rooftop yoga and fitness at Bok Bar, and regular social hangs that keep our community very much alive and off the internet.
One of your favorite ways NOT to be online...
Honestly, there are so many. Biking is a big one because you literally cannot be on your phone while doing it. I also love jiu-jitsu, swinging kettlebells, looking people in the eyes when I talk to them, playing guitar and wrestling my kids.
A fave spot to unplug...
Bok Bar, obviously. We’ll be up there all summer running rooftop fitness on Saturdays and yoga on Tuesdays twice a month from May through September. We plan to visit the Southeast Asian Market in FDR several times this season.
I also love biking to the Collingswood Farmers Market on Saturday mornings before jiu-jitsu. I’ve done the ride from South Philly, and it only took about 40 minutes—a perfect way to stay in the real world for a few hours.
With a background in screen printing and illustration,
work draws on pop culture, art history, and the
He lives in South Philly and spends his spare time riding bikes and participating in the cycling club Damp Roads. Stop
see more of his work.
@farmersmarketpros farmersmarketpros.com
How does your business encourage people to break out of their online bubble?
Catt Fields White: We encourage farmers and food makers to bring their harvests and products to weekly farmers markets, so people like you can do their grocery shopping outside! It’s a perfect season to stroll the Point Breeze Community Market right here in South Philly on Thursday afternoons, or visit the Black Farmers Market in West Philly on Saturday or the Dickinson Square Park Farmers Market just a few blocks from Bok on Sundays.
One of your favorite ways NOT to be online...
Next to weekly farmers markets, my favorite ways to be offline are to take the dog on an urban hike, lose myself in a local bookstore (looking at you, Book Trader!), or sip a glass of wine, listen to the fountain and people watch at Superette on Passyunk Ave.
A fave spot to unplug...
Point Breeze Community Market or Superette.
@wagdaysphilly | @wagdaysfishtown wagdaysphilly.com
How does your business encourage people to break out of their online bubble?
Wag Days is a business for Philly’s best residents: the dogs! Because dogs love fresh air, we take them outside every day for walks and playtime at the dog park. The dogs check their devices at the door, so no devices are allowed in the daycare either. We hope that through our videos, photos, and daily parent communication, owners will see how beneficial outdoor time is for their dogs and how much they enjoy it and take advantage of the weather and our beautiful city!
One of your favorite ways NOT to be online...
Philly is an extremely walkable city. Walking the dog is an amazing way to explore new neighborhoods, streets and little pockets, allowing you to unplug, breathe, and remember how cool Philly is. My dogs love it too.
A fave spot to unplug...
Fairmount Park is one of the coolest parts of our city. It’s the largest municipal park in America! So many different types of hiking trails lead you to waterfalls, statues, amazing plants and wildlife and of course bars and restaurants. It’s a piece of our city everyone should take advantage of. It’s amazing.
@klipcollective | klip.tv
How does your business encourage people to break out of their online bubble?
Klip’s work is intended for people to experience moments of awe and reflection in real life, real space and without phones or screens. Whether it’s an illuminated garden or Making Time ∞ at Fort Mifflin, you have to be there to see, hear, and feel the gestalt of it all.
One of your favorite ways NOT to be online...
Bowling! Ricardo has been in a league at North Bowl for 16 years. Michelle and Mario are in a league at South Bowl with fellow Bok tenants, Lauren (Rider Ceramics) and Bev (Bevy of Objects) called “Oh, THAT team!”
A fave spot to unplug...
We love visiting Walter Pine and finding inspiration in the flowers and exquisite curation. And after a busy week in the studio, scoring a table outside of Superette by the fountain is perfect for people watching.
The food, happenings, and sunset views waiting for you at Bok Bar this summer.
APRIL
Cantina la Martina Mexican cantinalamartinapa.com
MAY
Tabachoy Filipino-American tabachoyphilly.com
JUNE
Puyero
Venezuelan cuisine puyeroflavor.com
JULY
Gabriella’s Vietnam Vietnamese cuisine gabriellasvietnam.com
AUGUST
Korea Taqueria
Korean-Mexican eats korea-taqueria.com
SEPTEMBER
Rice & Sambal
Traditional & Modern Indonesian ricensambal.com
OCTOBER
Darnel’s Cafe fare with Italian and French Influences darnelscakes.com
Salsa Sunday Monthly
An afternoon of high-energy salsa dancing with a free lesson from DJ Big George and VSpice, followed by a lively dance party.
This reimagined nightlife event features art stations, lo-fi DJ sets, tarot, journaling, board games, and more—a space to show up solo, slow down, and connect in meaningful ways.
Bringing top-tier celebrity impersonation to the rooftop, this is South Philly’s ultimate drag show with Brittany Lynn and her fabulous Drag Mafia.
A rotating lineup of some of Philly’s best DJs. Catch BWC Sounds on Memorial Day & Labor Day, plus Dave P. will host his infamous Making Time party on July 3. New this year, don’t miss Sundae Philly: an open air, all ages dance party with Xtina & Bobby Flowers on August 16.
Boot Scoot Monthly
Free country line dancing with DJ Hugocito. Start with a beginner-friendly lesson, then dance the night away.
Season + Hours
Open through November 3, 2026
Weds + Thurs 5pm – 11pm
Friday 5pm – 12am
Saturday 2pm – 12am
Sundays 2pm – 9pm
Hi, my name is Jamie I live in East Kensington
This is my 7th summer at Bok Bar.
My favorite Bok Bar memory is last July 4th, Dave P. closed out Making Time with “The Chain” by Fleetwood Mac blasting through the speakers just as fireworks exploded overhead.
If I’m not at Bok, you can find me behind the bar at Grace and Proper, on a run with my little queer running club, hiking around the Wissahickon listening to music, or napping at home with my cat, Laura Dern.
Getting in + up
Bok Bar is perched on the 8th floor of Bok. You’ll find the entrance at 800 Mifflin Street, closest to 8th Street—just look for the signs and head to the building’s Center elevator, the only way up to the bar. No reservations needed—Bok Bar is walk-in only and operates on a first come, first serve basis.
Bi-monthly
Join KG Strong for their yoga at sunset series, plus don’t miss their new Saturday Morning Rooftop Fitness series, where you can sweat it out in Pilates, dance fitness, calisthenics, boxing, and more.
Tickets + details
Hi, my name is Larry I live in West Philly
This is my 6th summer at Bok Bar.
Other than Bok Bar, my favorite South Philly spot is Pho75. I know every time I go, I’m gonna feel healed when I leave.
If I’m not at Bok, you can find me doing grief work with teens, laying in the grass at Clark Park, working the desk or attending a show at Studio 34, being a camp counselor with Camp Sojourner, or just eating snacks with my friends.
Kids 12 and under are welcome with a parent or guardian before sunset; after that Bok Bar is 21+. Guests of all ages are welcome anytime on Sundays. Dogs are welcome any time!
Want to host your event at Bok Bar?
We’re currently booking semi-private events Wednesday through Sunday, and private events on Mondays and Tuesdays. For more details, reach out at dani@bok-bar.com.
Saturday, June 13
It’s not summer in the city without our annual B[L]OK Party! Each year we invite friends, families, and neighbors to join in on this South Philly-inspired celebration. Eat, dance, sip, and shop alongside Bok creatives and pals all afternoon, right on the 800 block of Mifflin from 12:00pm to 4:00pm. And you can’t miss a bounce in the bounce house!
Friday, July 3
Celebrate Independence Day with sweeping views of the Philadelphia skyline at Bok Bar. Join Dave P. for a special edition of Making Time, with music and dancing from 2:00pm to 10:00pm. This event is free and open to the public.
Sunday, August 23
Every August, we welcome hundreds of Bok Vocational Tech alumni back for a celebration filled with reconnection and community. Join us for a trip down memory lane as we welcome the Wildcats with building tours showcasing both the new and the familiar, live music, dancing, and an unforgettable alumni happy hour—with a view you won’t want to miss!
