Do you think Philadelphia's pop-up beer gardens are a delightful summer treat, or a matter of "grave concern?"

Pop-up gardens have been a huge hit the past few summers, providing Philadelphians with beautiful outdoor venues to enjoy their summer evenings with great local food, beer, and community, and breathing new life into vacant lots and underutilized public spaces like the Delaware waterfront and Eakins Oval.

But the Daily News explained last week that they're only possible because of a quirk in the PA liquor code which allows vendors to use inexpensive off-premise catering permits rather than insanely expensive regular liquor licenses. 

That's made some bar owners grumpy because they don't like the competition.  And now they got four powerful state lawmakers - Reps. John Taylor (R - Philadelphia); Paul Costa (D-Allegheny) and state Senators Chuck McIlhinney (R - Bucks), and Jim Ferlo (D-Allegheny) - to write a letter to the Liquor Control Board asking them to tighten the rules, potentially shutting down the gardens.

Judging by the big crowds of happy people packing Spruce Street Harbor Park, PHS's South Street garden, and The Oval this summer, it's clear no real Philadelphians are "gravely concerned" they'll enjoy these nice amenities too much - it's just a few special interests trying to spoil things for everyone. 

We need your help to push back against this misguided effort and ask the LCB and our state lawmakers to be better partners in supporting the nice amenities we all want in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and all across the state.