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Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save ATLANTIC CITY — Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall, which reopened early last month after being closed for renovations, is under new leadership with plenty more changes in store for this year. Salvatore Spena, who is from Atlantic City and experienced in the restaurant industry, will join the partnering team at the beer hall, a staple in the city’s Orange Loop dining-and-entertainment district. Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall opened in November 2018 under Mark Callazzo, who will remain active as co-owner and partner as well as a developer in the Orange Loop.
“I was born and raised in Atlantic City, and when my dear friend and wine buddy Mark Callazzo approached me about joining him in this venture, I knew I could bring a renewed vision and commitment to excellence to Tennessee Avenue,” said Spena. “I want to show both residents and visitors why this is the place to be for dining and nightlife.” Atlantic City man admits strangling girlfriend who refused to have sex with him New Atlantic City airshow to be held July 15 and 16 Galloway Fish and Wildlife office listed for closure as part of federal cuts by DOGE Ocean City downtown merchants back Wonderland plan Swimming pool dropped from hotly fought Atlantic City beach bar plan Ocean City Council member calls vacant downtown store windows a disgrace Atlantic County employee allegedly stole EBT benefit cards, prosecutors say Egg Harbor Township man seriously injured in fiery crash Who made The Press 2024-25 Girls Basketball All-Star Team? How a trio of nerds reunited to create Vineland's first brewery Millville man accused of sharing child porn online Ocean City school board members continue to debate state transgender policy Philadelphia man accused of killing ex's new boyfriend in Bridgeton arrested by US Marshals Van Drew critics hold town hall with Democratic US Rep.
Watson Coleman Who are The Press girls basketball Player, Coach and Team of the Year? Spena has spent more than 30 years in the hospitality industry, most recently as executive director for food and beverage/event sales at the Showboat Resort Atlantic City. Spena oversaw operations at Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, the former Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort and Golden Nugget Atlantic City, where he was the general manager and wine director at Vic & Anthony’s Steakhouse. He also was the former owner and chef of Portobello Ristorante and Pizzeria in Ocean City.
Some of the cosmetic updates at the beer hall this winter included fresh paint and the redoing of the bar’s back wall to show off some of the high-end whiskeys and tequilas, part of an expanded cocktail and wine menu. Spena is going to build off of those renovations, renaming two restaurants in the Orange Loop, Cuzzie’s Pizzeria & Kitchen and Rhythm & Spirits. The pizza on the beer hall’s menu came from Cuzzie’s, which during the winter renovations was joined to the beer hall to more easily serve its customers.
Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall, a staple of Atlantic City's Orange Loop, reopened Thursday after about a month-and-a-half closure for refurbishments. Cuzzie's will be replaced by Isabella's Italian Pizza Kitchen, which is named after Spena's daughter. It, too, will specialize in wood-fired pizzas.
Paulie's Steak Italiano, named after Spena's son, is the other new place and will feature a classic steakhouse menu. The outdoor beer garden will be renamed Jennifer's Oyster Bay, named after Spena's wife. It will feature locally sourced oysters from the Barnegat Oyster Conservatory among other chilled seafood, draft beers and wines.
That will open in May. “I couldn’t be happier to see Sal joining me in ownership at Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall,” Callazzo said. “His experience, passion and deep ties to Atlantic City make him the perfect person to continue elevating the guest experience and bringing new, exciting concepts to the Avenue.
I look forward to watching him bring his vision to life while I continue expanding the Orange Loop’s hospitality offerings.” The Orange Loop has some big changes on the horizon. Callazzo's latest projects will soon break ground and include The Top Hat boutique hotel and Container Park.
In September, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority announced an $8 million Historic Property Reinvestment Grant for the area. A tax credit of up to $8 million will go toward rehabilitating the Schwehm Building in the Orange Loop under the Atlantic Lofts Rehabilitation Project. That project will include 56 new residential units with amenities, as well as commercial space.
The project will rehabilitate an eight-story office building, including a new roof deck. Commercial space will be located on the first floor. The proposed tax credit award of 45% of eligible project costs will result in a total overall investment of $22.
5 million. From the reopening of the Atlantic City Aquarium to the prospect of a luxury hotel at the site of the former Gillian's Wonderland to continuing work on a Mike Trout-branded golf resort in Vineland, 2025 promises to be an interesting year. Here are eight projects to look forward to.
Nicole Callazzo, Mark's wife, will continue to oversee Bar 32 Chocolate & Dessert Bar. “I’m excited to work with Mark to take this famed Monopoly block to new heights,” Spena said. The beer hall in Atlantic City’s Orange Loop includes outdoor seating and shares a kitchen with neighboring Cuzzie’s Pizzeria & Kitchen.
Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall at 133 S Tennessee Avenue in Atlantic City reopened Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025 after a brief renovation. Developer Mark Collazzo says residential development elsewhere in the Orange Loop will provide more customers for his Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall and neighboring Cuzzie’s Pizzeria.
Developer Mark Collazzo talks about some of the improvements that were done at the Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall at 133 S Tennessee Avenue in Atlantic City during a recent shutdown, like new coats of paint and a new wall behind the bar, on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025. Chicken Parm was a new item on the menu at the Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall at 133 S Tennessee Avenue in Atlantic City, which reopened Thursday, Feb.
6, 2025 after a brief renovation. Dr. Pepper-glazed bacon is among the new items on the menu at the beer hall.
Dr.Pepper Bacon was a new item on the menu at the Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall at 133 S Tennessee Avenue in Atlantic City, which reopened Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025 after a brief renovation.
Spicy Shrimp was a new item on the menu at the Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall at 133 S Tennessee Avenue in Atlantic City, which reopened Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025 after a brief renovation. Spicy Shrimp was a new item on the menu at the Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall at 133 S Tennessee Avenue in Atlantic City, which reopened Thursday, Feb.
6, 2025 after a brief renovation. Spicy Shrimp was a new item on the menu at the Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall at 133 S Tennessee Avenue in Atlantic City, which reopened Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025 after a brief renovation.
Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall at 133 S Tennessee Avenue in Atlantic City reopened Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025 after a brief renovation. Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall reopened last week after closing before Christmas for winter renovations.
Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall at 133 S Tennessee Avenue in Atlantic City reopened Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025 after a brief renovation. Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall at 133 S Tennessee Avenue in Atlantic City reopened Thursday, Feb.
6, 2025 after a brief renovation. Contact John Russo: 609-272-7184 [email protected] Twitter: @ACPress_Russo Satisfy your cravings With our weekly newsletter packed with the latest in everything food.
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