Race Street Pier is Philidelphia's fastest growing business district with everything from shipping to shopping, offices and now... a gym & speakeasy restaurant which is a front for the Race Street Pier: Purgatory Operation.

 

HISTORY & OWNERSHIP

Recently purchased and remodeled by Don William Bowden of Philadelphia and his financial backer, Don Isabella Luciano of Detroit, the building itself has been everything from a warehouse to car repair shop.  

 

 

 

 

PURGATORY GYM

One-half of the two building operation (Purgatory & Dante's Restaurant) Purgatory is a members-only gym.  A month fee allows men and women to train and take part in promoted prize fights.  The gym is equipped with all the latest in fitness equipment, punching bags, and no less than four practice rings.

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Red/black colors are throughout the whole gym where fighters 'pay their dues' to eventually end up in either end up in heaven or hell after a fight!  The centerpiece of the gym, however, is the main ring where the main events take place. 

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A charcoal-colored mezzanine is adorned with artwork that depicts beautiful men & women committing a variety of the seven deadly sins. Waitresses from next door, Dante's, work the mezzanine on fight nights; selling cigarettes, cigars, and alcohol of all kinds to the mobsters, corrupt politicians, and A-listers in attendance.

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DANTE'S

A restaurant that also secretly serves alcohol to its patrons who know to ask for it.  The entire theme of the restaurant Dante's Inferno, urging guests to indulge in their more delightful and forbidden urges.  As such cigarettes, cigars, and other vices are commonly available here to enjoy when you're not paying your dues in Purgatory gym.

 

So pull up a seat, lost soul, and tell bartender Kinzie your woes.  She's certainly got a concoction to make it all feel just a little bit better.