What’s better than the annual Rittenhouse Row Festival? Getting to experience it all before anyone else, of course. This Thursday, April 26^th, is the Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival Preview Party from 7-9:30 pm at in the Grand Ballroom at The Ritz-Carlton. Over 30 of the Row’s best restaurants will be serving up their delectable cuisine to those who attend the night’s activities.

Highlights of the night’s events include the Foobooz Captain Morgan Black Spiced Rum Cocktail Competition where attendees will judge which concoction best showcases rum in all its pirate-y glory. Contestants include Alfa, G Lounge, Ladder 15, Ranstead Room, Rumor, Smith & Wollensky, Village Whiskey and Liberte at the Sofitel. There will also be a pop-up fashion show, a silent auction (with  prizes like dinner for two at all eight Stephen Starr Rittenhouse Row restaurants or Chef’s Tastings for six at both Lacroix and Le Castagne), and the first public Philadelphia appearance of Shake Shack.

Yes, you read that right: Shake Shack will be there.

Unfortunately, they won’t be slinging burgers that night (something to do with fire codes, insurance and not having an actual kitchen in which to prep them yet), but they will be serving their frozen custard to all comers. And that still means that you get to brag to your friends that you got a taste of Shake Shack before anyone else in town

Of course you only get to say that if you have a ticket. But don’t fret. Tickets are still available (at $75 per person) online until noon on Thursday and can be purchased through the the Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival website. Otherwise, you can get yours at the door on the night of the event.

And don’t forget to check out the actual Rittenhouse Row Festival as well, on May 19^th from 12-5pm, rain or shine.

Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival [Rittenhouse Row]

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