Sluggers gives downtown a real sports bar
While Pittsburgh Steelers fans await Sunday's big kickoff, an equally big kickoff for area sports fans is set for Friday.That's when Sluggers Sports Bar and Grill opens at 14 E. 10th St., the former home of Peccadillo's. Owners Dave Freeman, Jasen Schardt, and Ed Newton spent about $250,000 to completely remodel the club and turn it into a downtown sports heaven.
Sluggers boasts 45 screens, including a 12-footer, two 10-foot ones, and 24 plasma sets. Most will broadcast in high definition. The bar will subscribe to every sports package imaginable, including NFL Ticket and NASCAR, as well as pay-per-view events such as Ultimate Fighting. No cover charges will apply.
Sluggers, which will be smoke-free, also features a game room with five pool tables, miniature bowling, air hockey, darts, and more. Mitch Mozur, who helped open Texas Roadhouse and ran the kitchen there, will be the Sluggers chef. The club will offer several types of hand-cut steaks -- porterhouse, filet mignon, sirloin -- as well as burgers, 30 flavors of wings, and more. Eleven beers, including craft names such as Magic Hat No. 9, Cherry Wheat, Guinness, and Railbender, will be on tap.
"The place is completely remodeled from end to end. It's basically a whole new bar," Freeman said.Crowds had thinned at Peccadillo's, once Erie's hottest nightspot. Freeman said a downtown sports bar made sense."The sports bar was always the most popular thing for Peccadillo's," he said. "That's pretty much where everyone gravitated to. So, with the new place, we made the whole thing one giant sports bar. It seemed to be what people wanted.
"Plus, we don't have a real sports bar downtown. I believe Erie has been lacking a world-class sports bar since Wild Cards closed," Freeman added. "And we're right across the street from the ball field and basketball and Otters and all that. I think it's perfect for Erie.
"Music will be a part of the club after 10 p.m. on weekends with either a DJ or live bands (M-80s play Friday). But the main thrust will be sports and meals, with Sluggers open for lunch (starting next week) and dinners."We'll have a really big menu with sports-bar prices but served in a four-star way," Freeman said.
Sluggers opens Friday, Jan 30, just a few days before the biggest day in sports. It will offer a Bud Light and wings special for the Super Bowl. Between the newness of the club and the itching-to-see-it factor -- heck, even Benjamin Button is curious -- it will likely be packed."With our 40-some screens and seating for 400 people, it'll be one heck of a party," Freeman said.
Big Game Party at Sluggers Sunday
February 1, 2009 - 7:00 PMSunday Feb 1st, join Rocket 101, and Bud Light as we give you a "big game" party at Sluggers, Erie's newest sports bar located on East 10th between State & French.Enjoy the Steelers-Cardinals game in style! Sluggers has 25 HD plasma screens, 3 HD projection screens & over 45 viewing screens with 5 pool tables, air hockey, miniature bowling & more! 11 drafts on tap. Great food with over 30 wing flavors!From your "big game" party station,
Rocket 101.
Location:
Sluggers Sports Bar
14 East 10th Street
Erie, PA 16501
(814) 454-9464
