Rhythm and Spirits is ready to make some noise with a new location in Philadelphia this summer. The restaurant will take over the former Classic Cake space on JFK Boulevard near 16th Street, above Suburban Station in One Penn Plaza.
Founded five years ago in Atlantic City, Rhythm and Spirits is owned by Lee Sanchez and Mark Callazzo.
The menu will include breakfast items such as coffee, bagels and breakfast sandwiches, as well as lunch and dinner options. On weekends, the restaurant will offer brunch accompanied by live DJ music.
Sanchez leads the kitchen and bar teams, creating a menu with both small plates and larger dishes.
“Raised by a strong Italian mother and grandmother he learned to cook from them; however his father is first generation from Spain and so his life has been a melting pot of Italian and Spanish culture,” the restaurant’s website reads.
Brunch features the Fried Chicken Bene, a crispy chicken cutlet on a Belgian waffle with spicy hollandaise, egg and honey chili drizzle. Iron Room bacon and eggs come with potatoes and can be served on a croissant. The Elvis’s BP|32 Special is a house-made Oreo croissant baked fresh with bananas flambéed in B|32 sauce and chocolate peanut drizzle.
Lunch includes Ricci’s Chop Salad with salami and provolone, the Burrata Burger with a beef blend and burrata, and the P.M.B. focaccia sandwich with pistachio mortadella and pesto.
Small plates showcase the Eggplant Stack layered with mozzarella and red sauce, and Gambas al Ajillo, shrimp sautéed in garlic butter. Large plates highlight the S.F. Chicken Parm and acorn-raised Secreto pork finished with garlic cherry pepper butter.
Additionally, Rhythm & Spirits transforms into an intimate cocktail club with live music after dining hours.
“Inside you will find a dark, but well-lit intimate space that is home to the original Iron Room whiskey and spirits collection from Albany Ave. Outside you will find a tropical oasis in the secret garden. Guests who stay late can expect to hear local artists of all genres performing original and cover music, or one of our resident DJs and national recording artists,” the website reads.
Sanchez and Callazzo also own Bar 32 Chocolate next door to their Atlantic City location, offering chocolates served as desserts, cocktails and candy bars. In Philadelphia, the chocolate experience will be replicated at the rear of the restaurant in a lounge called 32 Chocolate Speakeasy.
No official opening date has been announced. The restaurant’s Instagram bio says, “Coming Summer 2025,” and a recent post says, “opening soon for magical cocktails and more.”
The restaurant will serve cafe breakfast daily from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Lunch is available Monday through Friday from noon to 3 p.m. Brunch is offered Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dinner runs daily from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.
What Now Philadelphia reached out to Rhythm and Spirits, however they have not yet responded. This article may be updated.
