PYT's Tommy Up needs your help opening ‘Philadelphia’s first tiki bar'
Nestled in the buzzing neighborhood of Fishtown.
Since opening PYT in 2009, owner Tommy Up has established 'speakeasy' cocktail spot Emmanuelle behind his Piazza food spot, and snagged a deal to make the Northern Liberties restaurant a franchise. So what's next for this foodie businessman? "Philadelphia's first tiki bar" nestled in the buzzing neighborhood of Fishtown.
The Yachtsman is Up and partner Sarah Brown's next big local project, and this time he's hoping to pull in the final steps of funding through a Kickstarter campaign. Launched earlier this week, with a goal to raise $36,700, the campaign already has over 30 backers with over $3,000 pledged. While they say the structural work for the location is done, they've run into "some unforeseen snags" which is costing them more money than they had originally hoped.
They promise eats from "celebrity chef friends" like Chris Vacca and Kiki Aranita of Poi Dog, in addition to a Hawaiian bar food menu, "flaming tiki drinks" and "'luau-style' pig roasts" on Sundays.
Those who donate to this project will receive such perks as a Duke & Winston designed t-shirt, a limited edition membership that gets you a 5-course tasting menu and access to their private restroom, a burger punch card for PYT, an invite to their private backers opening, a giant portrait of Philadelphia developer Bart Blatstein, and much more.
Tommy and Sarah originally slated for The Yachtsman to open in April, but now they're shooting for June.