New Fan BBQ joint opens in former FW Sullivan space
The space formerly housed FW Sullivan’s, Cure and Aura Bar and Grill. (Photo by Mike Platania)
The upcoming opening of Brickwood Barbecue at 2401 W. Main St. is more than just a new business venture for co-owner Hayden Fisher. It is also a return to his roots for him.
Fisher previously co-owned FW Sullivan’s, which operated in the Fan building for about a decade before it closed during the pandemic.
While Sullivan’s has become known for its nightlife, Fisher, who is opening Brickwood with co-owner John Sachs, said the plan is to focus it more on food.
“I hope we have a lively bar scene, but we’re not going to focus on nightlife,” Fisher said. “With Sullivan’s, let’s be honest, it’s become more of a party bar. We want (Brickwood) to be more family friendly.

Hayden Fisher
Brickwood will be a table service restaurant with a full bar and cocktail menu. Fisher said they are bringing in a custom smoker from Maine and Brickwood will smoke all kinds of meats, including ribs and chicken thighs.
Fisher said they don’t plan to rely on a specific regional style of barbecue, but instead will offer a variety of sauces to top the smoked meats. Sides will include coleslaw made with blue cheese and cowboy beans, an alternative to traditional baked beans typically made with ground beef and bacon.
“It’s something that will be on the menu that people may not be exposed to,” he said. “For me, when you go to eat out, you should eat something that you can’t really make at home.”
Fisher and Sachs, whose family once owned a market where Benny Ventano’s Pizzeria now operates on the block, are leasing the building at the corner of Main Street and Stafford Avenue. After Sullivan’s closed, the space housed two different concepts, Heal and Aura Bar and Grill, but has remained vacant in recent months.
The building and its outdoor patio are currently undergoing renovations, and Fisher said they plan to open their doors in July. Brickwood plans to be open from 4 p.m. to midnight or 1 a.m.
Across the street from Brickwood is Smoke & Barrel, which open this spring in a space that formerly housed Lady N’Awlins and was owned by Jake Crocker, Fisher’s former partner FW Sullivan.
Fisher said it’s a surreal feeling to be back in the same building where he helped open Sullivan’s 15 years ago.
“I thought my days in this area as a restaurateur were over. But this opportunity presented itself and it was just interesting,” he said. “Le Fan used to be a party space, now it’s more of a casual dining space. I think (Brickwood) will complement the new stuff around it.
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