Morgan’s Pier Set to Reopen for 10th Season on the Waterfront Starting April 22nd
Morgan’s Pier Set to Reopen for 10th Season on the Waterfront Starting April 22nd
Philadelphia’s largest open-air outdoor restaurant is coming back! FCM Hospitality and owner Avram Hornik announce that Morgan’s Pier (221 N. Christopher Columbus Blvd.) will open for the year starting on Thursday, April 22nd at 4:00pm. Now celebrating its tenth season the Delaware River, the region’s top al fresco dining destination and tourism hot spot will bring back the summertime vibes, breathtaking views, great food and thirst-quenching drinks to the Waterfront.
For this special milestone season, Morgan’s Pier welcomes Chef Waldemar (Val) Stryjewski taking the helm in the kitchen with a brand-new menu of returning and new favorites – with an expanded selection of seafood, snacks, small plates, flatbreads sandwiches, sweets and kids’ favorites. New dishes include Fried Scallops, Salmon Crudo, Chicken Empanadas, Lobster Roll, Grilled Chicken and Pulled Pork (from the Craft Hall new BBQ menu). Flatbreads made with the famous dough from Lost Bread Co. will include Margherita, Spinach and Chorizo. New for 2021, beyond the new top chef in the kitchen and food items, look for a tenth anniversary cocktail, brand-new boozy popsicles in six flavors and the addition of beer selections from Philadelphia’s first-black brewery Two Locals Brewing. Season safety protocols include socially distanced seating, masks, hand washing and other protocols.Starting hours for the season are Monday to Sunday, Noon to last seating at 9:30pm, with kitchen closing at 10:00pm and drink service closing at 11:00pm. Reservations required. Walk-up reservations are available if space permits.
Morgan’s Pier, one of Philadelphia’s largest outdoor dining venues, will return just in time for the warm weather. Located on the picturesque waterfront with the background view next to the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, Morgan’s Pier will provide a socially-distanced and safe opportunity for locals, neighbors, visitors and tourists to get outside for the spectacular views, the great food and the cold drinks. With current guidelines, look for Morgan’s Pier to start the season with 250 seats all with amazing waterfront and/or Bridge views!
Morgan’s will open officially for 2021 on Thursday, April 22nd at 4:00pm. Opening weekend will run from Thursday, April 22nd at 4:00pm to Sunday, April 25th at 11:00pm. Season starting hours and days of operation are Monday to Sunday, from Noon to last seating at 9:30pm. The kitchen will close nightly at 10:00pm, and drink service ends at 11:00pm. Hours will expand as the city expands regulations.
For the tenth season, Morgan’s welcomes in the kitchen Chef Waldemar (Val) Stryjewski who brings nearly 25 years of culinary experience in the top kitchens around the region. Chef’s prior restaurants have included a.Kitchen, Le Bec Fin, opus 251, Lacroix at The Rittenhouse, Kensington Quarters, Lloyd Whiskey Bar, Silk City and Brasserie Perrier.
On the menu, look for Morgan’s Pier fan favorites celebrating the ten years on the Waterfront, plus some tasty new additions, including Salmon Crudo, Chicken Empanadas, Lobster Roll, Grilled Chicken and Pulled Pork (from the Craft Hall new BBQ menu). Flatbreads made with the famous dough from Lost Bread Co. will include Margherita, Spinach and Chorizo.
From the bar, be on the lookout for Morgan’s Pier favorites, including their signature Watermelon Rickey, 21st Amendment Watermelon Wheat Ale poured over Watermelon Puree! Frozen favorites will rotate throughout the season, but frozen margaritas and non-alcoholic lemonade will be consistently offered. New this season, guests can purchase frozen boozy adult popsicles (contains alcohol) in a variety of flavors. Cocktails will be available for on-site consumption, as well as for legal cocktails to go. For the tenth year, look for a special tenth season cocktail to celebrate the milestone. For beer lovers, anticipate a plethora of Pennsylvania based beers, including Mainstay Independent’s “Pier Bier” created with Morgan’s Pier in mind. Morgan’s Pier is also proud to feature beer selections from Philadelphia’s first black-owned brewery, Two Locals Brewing.
For entertainment, while you enjoy drinks and food from your tables, listen for beats from local and national DJ’s every Friday and Saturday. As safety permits, the Morgan’s team is eagerly anticipating being able to offer live acoustic music entertainment and bands, such as The Business and Ear Me Now, the Philly based reggae band, on a regular basis.
Dana Canalichio, Director of Operations of FCM, is most looking forward to one local favorite, The Soul Cruisers. Canalichio explains, “with limited capacity and social distancing, it is hard to safely plan for entertainment. While we can not wait for all of our local favorites to be able to perform, we couldn’t plan our 10th season without incorporating the Soul Cruisers.” Currently, Soul Cruisers are set to take stage on Wednesday, May 26th, to kick off Memorial Day weekend with various other dates in the works.
Opening weekend entertainment is as follows:
Thursday, April 22nd: DJ entertainment starting at 5 PM with DJ Ricky Lee
Friday, April 23rd & Saturday, April 24th: Morgan’s Pier will be offering DJ entertainment starting at 3:00pm
Friday, 23rd: Dan Fisher (3:00pm to 7:00pm) , Menace Cartel (7:00pm to 11:00pm)
Saturday, 24th: Menace Cartel (3:00pm to 7:00pm), Bobby Flowers (7:00pm to 11:00pm)
Sunday: April, 25th: Broscoe (3:00pm to 7:00pm)
For dog lovers, Morgan’s Pier is teaming back up with the PSPCA and Tito’s Vodka to offer a monthly “yappy hour” from 4:00pm to 6:00pm, where guests can sip for a cause with a portion of signature cocktails during that time being donated to PSPCA. Morgan’s Pier will be dog-friendly from Noon – 8:00pm on the days of yappy hour.
MENU – FOOD
Seafood:
Shrimp Cocktail – Cocktail Sauce, Lemon Wedge (6)$12 (12)$24
Oysters on the Halfshell – (6) ea, Lemon Wedge, Horseradish $15 GF
Salmon Crudo Rice Cracker, Fresno Chili Aioli, Charred Green Garlic, Lime $13 GF
Crab Cake- Fennel Salad, Calabrian Chili $15
Fried Scallops – Pickle Aioli $13Snacks/Small Plates:
French Fries- Jalapeño Aioli $6 VG, GF
Sour Cream And Onion Dip- Kettle Cooked Potato Chips $7 GF, VG
Crispy Chicken Wings- Traditional Buffalo or Honey Garlic$12 GF
Chicken Empanadas -Salsa Verde $10
Grain Bowl- Chickpeas, Local Greens, Spring Onion Vinaigrette $9 GF, VG
Chopped Salad – Green Goddess, Avocado, Red Onion, Seasonal Vegetables $9 GF, VG
Classic Caesar- Lemon, Parmesan, Garlic Focaccia Croutons $8
Fatbreads:
(with Lost Bread Co.)
Margherita- Jersey Tomatoes, Mozzarella, Basil $12 VG
– Add pepperoni $2
Spinach – White Sauce, Oven Roasted Tomato, Oregano $10 VG
Chorizo – Queso Oaxaca, Cilantro, Chipotle Tomato, Escabeche $14
>Sandwiches:
(served with a pickle spear)
Cheeseburger- American Cheese, Pier Sauce, Iceberg, Red Onion, Potato Bun $9
Add a Patty – $4
Add Bacon – $2
Lobster Roll – Herbed Mayo, Celery, Crispy Shallot $15
Grilled Chicken- Romesco, Avocado, Mozzarella, Local Greens, Focaccia $10 *
Fried Mushrooms- Roasted Garlic Vegenaise, Pickled Carrot, Dill, Local Greens$10 VG *
Pulled Pork – Grilled Pineapple, Refried Beans, Cilantro Crema $10 *Sweets:
Ice Cream – Rotating Selection $4 VG, GF
Baklava- Banana, Hazelnut, Chocolate $6
Kids Menu:
(served with french fries)
Chicken Finger
Cheeseburger
All Beef Hot Dog
MENU – DRINK
Cheers to 10 Years! $12
Jalisco Bloom with Patron Silver, Hibiscus Syrup, Lime Juice, Top w/Soda
Watermelon Rickey $8
21st Amendment Watermelon Wheat Ale poured over Watermelon Puree
Cucumber Splash $10
Bluecoat Gin, Cucumber Simple Syrup, Lime, ClubRose’ Sangria $10
Rose’ Wine, Blackberry Brandy, Triple Sec, OJ, Sprite, Fresh fruit
Orange CRUSHIN IT $13
Grey Goose Vodka, Mango Puree, Tropical Redbull
Aperol Spritz $10
Aperol, Prosecco, Club Soda
Pier Bloody Mary $14
Skyy Citrus Vodka, House-made Tomato juice mix, Shrimp, Bacon
Stateside Splash $10
Stateside Vodka, Seltzer, watermelon puree
Blackberry Smash $10
Jim Beam Eight Star Whiskey, blackberry/strawberry syrup, lemon juice
Draught Cocktails
Margarita $10
Casadoras Tequila, Triple Sec, Fresh Citrus Juice
American Mule $10
TITOS Vodka, Gingerbeer and fresh lime juice
Blueberry Lemonade $10
Stoli Blueberry Vodka, Housemade Lemonade, Simple Syrup, Blueberries
Twisted Tea Bomb $10
Skyy Rasperberry Vodka, Twisted Tea
Frozen Cocktails $5
Frozen Lemonade-Non-Alcoholic
Frozen Margarita $10
House-made Frozen MargaritaRotating $10
Boozy Alcoholic Popsicles $7
Claffey’s Frozen Alcoholic Popsicles like the frozen pops you experienced as a child, but now for grown-ups in Apple, Cherry, Lemonade, Blue Raspberry, Mango and Grape. (6%)
SAFETY GUIDELINESFor safety precautions during the global pandemic, all guests arriving at Morgan’s Pier are required to wear masks until they are seated at their tables. Reservations are required. Tables are limited to ten people or less. Dine-in and take-out menus are available in contactless format.
Morgan’s Pier follows all local and state guidelines for safe operations. These include, but aren’t limited to:
* Social distancing markers will be measured out and posted in all line and waiting areas.
* Staff and guests must wear a mask at all times, except when seated.
* No standing room. All bar areas will be closed. No entry without being seated by staff member. Unless using the bathroom or upon entrance or exit all patrons must remain in their seats.
* All seating will be spaced to maintain 6 feet of social distance.
* Guests will be required to make a reservation for contact tracing.
* Chairs and tables will be sanitized between guests.
* Staff will be subject to temperature checks prior to the start of all shifts to assure they are safely able to work.
* Additional cleaning standards will be implemented prior to opening, after closing and throughout the day by staff.
