After 13 years of crafting creative cocktails and light bites, husband-and-wife restaurateurs Gary Strack and Avery Appleton are bidding farewell to Brick & Mortar, located at 567 Massachusetts Ave in Cambridge’s Central Square. But the closure isn’t the end for the couple—or the space.
In its place, they plan to launch Acqua & Bocca, an “intimate Italian bar that blends traditional cuisine with contemporary cocktail culture,” according to a press release. Inspired by Appleton’s Italian heritage, the concept will embrace Italy’s convivial drinking culture through aperitivi, low-ABV spirits, and natural wines.
Acqua & Bocca will center around apericena, an extended aperitivo that bridges light snacks and a full meal. From 2–9 p.m., guests can sip cocktails like Aperol Spritzes and Negronis alongside small plates, pasta, meats, cheeses, and vegetables.
“This lighter, brighter approach to cocktails complements a menu of honest Italian cooking, where simple, elemental ingredients dictate the experience,” reads the press release.
The second-story historic space will undergo strategic renovations to embrace a “La Dolce Vita” aesthetic, with a refreshed kitchen and refined interiors to create a more intimate atmosphere.
Strack and Appleton are no strangers to Cambridge’s dining scene. The duo previously operated Central Kitchen, which once occupied the space below Brick & Mortar, and The Enormous Room, one of the first small DJ-driven clubs in the country.
Appleton’s culinary résumé includes stints at James Beard-recognized establishments No. 9 Park and Craigie Street Bistro, while Strack’s visionary contributions—like co-founding Graffiti Alley and leading Central Kitchen—helped shape Central Square as Cambridge’s Arts and Culture District.
The pair hopes to launch Acqua & Bocca in early 2025. To fund the project, they’ve partnered with NuMarket on a crowdfunding campaign, offering supporters 120% back in dining credits redeemable at Brick & Mortar or Acqua & Bocca in the new year.
“Apericena is about style, fluidity, and the collective presence of café culture,” says Appleton. “It’s about slowing the world down and turning it all into vintage Italian cinema.”
