Behind “The Mug”
The Painted Mug Cafe, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is a performance space, venue for rent, and (soon-to-be) full-service café with espresso bar. ‘The Mug’ was developed by a collaborative team of queer artists seeking to serve and empower our LGBTQIA+ community through ambitious programming made accessible to all visitors. The café is on track to be worker-owned, and we will reinvest in the QTPOC and disabled artists of our city. ‘The Mug’ is an intentional LGBTQIA+ performance space and designed to decenter drugs and alcohol.
We seek to provide opportunities for growth for the community. We believe a performance space for queer artists designed by queer artists is as empowering as it is unique.
For our neighbors, we seek to be an LGBTQIA+ affirming asset of the community with great coffee, and the venue chosen to host those personal milestone events that will become lifelong happy memories.
Vinni Scarfo
Founder and Manager of Events
Vinni’s favorite thing about the ‘Mug’ is its cozy ambiance, which provides a comfortable haven for patrons to enjoy performances without the overwhelming presence of large, inebriated crowds. Vinni’s pronouns are they/she, and when they are not immersed in cafe affairs, you can find her either sipping on a mug of vanilla iced coffee or singing at the nearest piano.
Teddy Ullrey
Teddy became a board member of the mug after creating countless wonderful beverages for guests. Teddy’s pronouns are he/him. You can thank Teddy for all the delicious mocktails available at our evening events!
Concessions Manager
JeVon Hatcher
JeVon has been a board member of the 'Mug ' since its grand opening in December 2021. JeVon’s pronouns are he/him and he is particularly fond of the cafe's intimate performance stage. When it comes to his favorite beverage in a mug, JeVon enjoys sipping on hot coco!
Operations Manager
Jeremy Adam
Youth and Family Programming Manager
Jeremy became a board member of the 'Mug' in December 2022 and values the Mug's' inviting ambiance and how inclusivity and representation of BIPOC & LGBTQ+ individuals are central to the cafe's mission. Jeremy’s pronouns he/they, and when it comes to a favorite mug treat, they love a cup full of mint chocolate chip ice cream. During Jeremy's leisure moments, they enjoy strolls with their dog Lilo and fiancé named Jeffrey.