The Lucy is Officially Open

April 11, 2019 by HughE Dillon Leave a comment

In 2015, the popular eatery Upstairs at Varalli and Perch Pub closed as part as a parcel of properties which were sold to create the newest hotel in Center City – **The Cambria Hotel** Philadelphia (which I love, they have a cute restaurant with a terrace on the 2nd floor with views of Broad Street, and a happening bar on the roof called Attico.) Everyone wondered what would happen with this space, would it be a new restaurant, the ballroom for the hotel or offices. To everyone’s surprise, it became a **Cescaphe Events** space called **The Lucy**, named after founder **Joe Volpe**‘s mother.

The Lucy opened in December 2018, I took the following photos in January and March. I was supposed to take more photos at the open house on Wednesday, but when I arrived my camera I had a camera problem which I explain at the bottom of this post.

In January, I photographed the American Jewish Committee, the leading global Jewish advocacy organization, where they honored Ajay Raju.

I was pleasantly surprised at what a wonderful job they did on the space. They completely gutted it, and created a beautiful, versatile event space, with a cocktail are that overlooks the “banquet area”, which can be used with or without a dance floor, and it has a stage. The space seemed very open, with great sight lines. It also seemed more intimate as well.

The staircase on the left goes to the mezzanine where the cocktail portion of the parties are held. To the right at the end of the table, is the door leading into The Lucy.

The Lifesavers Gala in March, with a packed dance floor and a larger bar in the background.

Additional seating in the form of high tops, can be found on either side of the circular tables situated in the center of the room. Although most events will probably have valet, there is several parking lots nearby including across the street at the Bellevue Hotel, it’s $32.

The Lucy weddings feature the Cescaphe signature cocktail hour-and-a-half. You and your guests will enjoy the finest cuisine and top shelf open bar from the second floor Mezzanine that overlooks the ballroom. With its whitewashed brick accent walls, large picture windows and custom bars, the elevated room provides plenty of ambiance and space for guests to enjoy all that cocktail hour has to offer. (source)

The 17,000-square-foot space holds up 325 guests for a seated dinner, and up to 800 for a standing celebration. To the left are tables which hold the cocktail party food.

The bathrooms are stage left, which is where you’ll find the elevator, and a back stair case as well. The men’s bathroom has fancy metallic wall covering and a beautiful floor. They definitely put a lot of thought into them.

The space is beautiful, and Cescaphe’s vast menu of delicious food is always a delightful, but the dramatic backdrop of the Avenue of the Arts is the real winner here and can be viewed from two sides of the ballroom.

I remember when I took this photo in January, I sent it to my friend and said, I think this is one of the best event spaces in Philly; it’s beautiful, the layout is perfect. I love how the spacious mezzanine overlooks the ballroom, creating an anticipation for the rest of the evening. I especially love the floor to ceiling windows, flooding the room with excitement of the bustling City streets, with the celebration going on inside The Lucy.

Yesterday I was supposed to go to The Lucy open house, so I was waiting to write the post after I took updated photos. Unfortunately the craziest thing happened after I arrived, my camera’s shutter got stuck and I couldn’t get good shots (That’s the first time in my 8 year career that this ever happened where my camera failed.) I ran home to grab another camera and tried to make it back before my next event, but I didn’t have time. I was so bummed too since I missed out on a great lunch as I love their seafood buffet, and Italian Sausage and onion dish. Disclosure- Since the time I took these photos, Cescaphe has become an advertiser, but I honestly love The Lucy, and believe you will too. Welcome to the family of Cescaphe Events which includes

Cescaphe Ballroom, Tendenza (another favorite spot of mine) both in Northern Liberties, the classic Down Town Club in Washington Square West with an amazing view of Independence Hall), Vie, and The Waterworks (the best sunsets on the Schuylkill.)

Interested in booking? Call 215-238-5750 or email info@cescaphe.com