(Feature image courtesy of The Franklin Institute)

If your like most Philadelphians you have paid a trip to the Franklin Institute and if you have children it’s likely you have been there on more than one occasion. However, if it’s been a while since you’ve been, The Franklin Institute is giving you a great reason to go back, this time with friends.

As part of the Philadelphia Science Festival, The Franklin Institute will host adult only science events that will feature experiments, demonstrations, conversations, and best of all cocktails! This 21 and over event is part of The Franklin Institute’s effort to engage the adult community more and provide a great alternative event that provides a fun and educational evening. However, you don’t need to be a science nerd to attend one of these events. Each event will cover cool and interesting topics such as monsters, guilty pleasures of humans, and circus science.

Science After Hours will be held on the 2nd Tuesday of each month until November and will begin at 6:30 pm and end at 9:00 pm. If you are wondering about the price, Science After Hours will run Franklin Institute members $10 and non-members $15 dollars per event. As for the drinks, cocktails will be served at a cash bar. Food and drink options will vary for each event. For example the circus event will offer funnel cake and snow cones while the upcoming American inventions event will offer root beer and hot dogs.

The upcoming August 12th Science After Hours will no doubt be a crowd-pleaser, titled “Science of the Circus: Fire-breathers & Funnel Cake,” guests can expect to see performers such as fire-breathers, sword-swallowers, and a performer laying on a bed of nails. The objective in this particular event is to explain the magic behind magic tricks. In addition zoo experts will be on hand to discuss the art of training animals.

Science After Hours is now in its 4th year. However, The Institute’s President & CEO Larry Dubinski has stated that they plan to run the Science After Hours event year-round in 2015. See the full list of this year’s Science After Hours events below.

Science of the Circus: Fire-breathers & Funnel Cake

Aug. 12th | 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm

Scientists will explain the mysteries behind these magical tricks, and Philadelphia zoo experts will discuss training circus animals. Visitors can also swing from a trapeze, which is part of the Institute’s exhibit, Science Under the Big Top. Sword-Swallower, fire-breathers, and a person laying on a bed of nails will also be on display. Visitors will also get to enjoy funnel cake, snow cones, and a cash bar.

Great Inventions: Telephones, Trains & the Root Beer Float

Sept. 12th | 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm

Visitors will celebrate the museum’s archived inventions in addition guests will be able to build their own innovations! The 190-year-old Institute will also be displaying its larger-than-life namesake – Ben Franklin’s lightning rod. Visitors will be able to enjoy root beer, hot dogs, and a cash bar.

Monster Mash-Up

Oct. 14th | 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm

Can the dead really rise from the grave? Is the Loch Ness monster real? Take a look at some of history’s most famous monsters during this Halloween-themed Science After Hours. Indulge in all things that go bump in the night. In this Halloween themed event, scientist will discuss the probabilities of the existence of monsters and zombies over food and cocktails. Enjoy a variety of sweet treats as well a cash bar.

Guilty Pleasures

Nov. 11th | 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm

This event will be near Thanksgiving so what better way to celebrate the holiday than to explore human guilty pleasures including foods such as chocolate and hobbies such as dungeons and dragons. Scientists will discuss the actual science of human guilty pleasures. Visitors can expect a variety of treats as well as a cash bar.