Brick and Mortar Opening

Last night Michael B. Welsh’s much anticipated Brick and Mortar (BAM) opened up at 12th and Pearl Streets in the Loft District of Philadelphia. The New American tavern seats up to 110 people and is located on the first floor of the Goldtex Building, which features large windows letting in a lot of light and banquet style tables as well as having a community table for large parties. Chef Brian Ricci’s menu will serve lunch and dinner, as well as late-night snacks, plus the best cocktails you could imagine.

Last night’s opening served as a fundraiser to support Friends of The Rail Park, attracting supporters including Inga Saffron, Connor Barwin, Sam Sherman and Paul Steinke, who enjoyed signature cocktails + hors d’oeuvres crafted by the BAM staff. Friends of The Rail Park had a lot to celebrate last night as the Philadelphia Art Commission had given final approval for the anticipated park’s design on Wednesday. During the event Philly’s favorite rapper, Chill Moody performed with Yufi Zewdu & DJ Ricochet.

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Brick and Mortar Opening Fundraiser

Michael Garden, Friends of the Rail Park Board of Directors; and Lenny Bazemore, director of The Bazemore Gallery.

From left: Tory Savery, Savery Design; Dan Olsovsky, Creative Director at ROOST Apartment Hotel; Amanda Olsovsky; Connor Barwin; and Laura Buscher.

Bhavani Bee and Tayyib Smith, partner at Pipeline coworking space.

From left: Cory Angelini, Cooper University Health Care; Ava Karakasi, Constellation Energy; and Rob Kulathinal, Temple University.

Dr. Peter Jones and Liz Maillie, vice president of Friends of the Rail Park.

From left: Len Wood, GM of Brick and Mortar; Brian Ricci, chef; Brian Foder, assistant GM; and James Zeleniak, Punch Media.

Lindsey Scannapieco and Alex Feldman.

Mike Foran and Jason Crook.

Nelie Shah; Cyra Copeland, grants manager at The University of Pennsylvania; and rapper Chill Moody, who performed during the event.

From left: Dave Reed, Chantal Coren, and Austin Haines.

Trudy Watt and Christopher T. Wood.

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Paul Steinke and Geoff Kees Thompson, Chair of The 5th Square PAC.

From left: Emily Chow Bluck, Aletheia Hyun-Jin Shin, and Andy Toy.

Chauncey Scates, Square 1682, and Leah Murphy, board president of Friends of the Rail Park.

HughE Dillon covers parties, events and more for Philadelphia magazine’s The Scene. You can follow him on Twitter at @iPhillyChitChat and visit his daily online social diary PhillyChitChat.com.