Grace Tavern Reborn Under New Ownership

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After a quiet closure in January, Grace Tavern will reopen this fall with a new owner and the same beloved name.

Stephen Carlino, a veteran of Philadelphia's bar scene, is reviving the longtime neighborhood favorite with a clear goal: preserve what worked, while bringing fresh energy to the space.

New Owner, Same Name, Fresh Start

Grace Tavern closed its doors on January 12, 2025, after nearly 21 years at 2229 Grays Ferry Avenue.

The pub had been a cornerstone of the South Street corridor, celebrated for its craft beer list, blackened green beans, and easygoing atmosphere. But co-owner Fergie Carey said the pandemic years took their toll: "After the [pandemic] shutdown, we never came back with the people – but we have the expenses and loans, so it’s been a battle," he told the Inquirer earlier this year.

Enter Stephen Carlino, whose Tavern Group operates U Bar, Tavern on Camac, and Otto’s Taproom, among others.

After learning the space was vacant, Carlino reached out to Carey and soon struck a deal to take over the building and the Grace Tavern liquor license. His team moved in the next day.

Modest Renovation, Menu in Development

Carlino emphasized that Grace Tavern will remain a neighborhood bar, not a themed concept or LGBTQ space like some of his other holdings. “We're looking to keep it a neighborhood establishment,” he said.

Initial work has focused on deep cleaning, minor repairs, and repainting the interior and facade. “We're not looking to necessarily change everything,” Carlino noted. "The ceiling is a red tin. We'll keep it a red tin, but put a fresh coat of paint on it."

The kitchen will return with a limited but focused menu. Carlino confirmed that the famed blackened green beans are likely to make a comeback. So are burgers and fries. He noted the kitchen's small size will limit complexity but suggested that the menu will evolve based on customer feedback.

A Quiet Reopening, Possibly by Labor Day

The Tavern Group is aiming for a soft reopening in late summer. “If Labor Day is doable, we'll open,” Carlino said, though pop-ups and test runs might come sooner.

Brian Moyer, a longtime bartender at U Bar who is now a partner in the new venture, will lead day-to-day operations.

The revival comes with tempered expectations and a touch of humility. Carlino, who remembers the space from its days as Kelly’s Tavern, said he's not looking to replicate the past exactly, but rather to build on Grace Tavern’s legacy. "Hopefully it'll be a new fresh start and maybe some new ideas and new faces."