- 515 Main will celebrate its grand opening in Bethlehem on Sept. 18
- The event is free but registration is required
- 217 Broadway, a former nightlife hotspot in South Bethlehem, is up for lease. It's been closed since 2020
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – A popular dining and nightlife venue turned sports bar will celebrate its grand opening in the coming days, while another former city hotspot looks to write its next chapter.
The owners of 515 Main Sports Club (previously Corked 2.0) will hold a grand opening on Monday, Sept. 18, at 515 Main St. The event will run from 5 to 7 p.m., with a ribbon-cutting ceremony set to take place at 5:30 p.m. with the Downtown Bethlehem Association, a council of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce.
“Owning a sports bar in beautiful historic Bethlehem is a dream come true, and we’re genuinely honored to join this remarkable community,” owner Chris Tiscio said in a release Monday.
The event is free to attend, but registration is required through the Chamber’s website. It will include complimentary refreshments, Monday Night football and networking opportunities, the invitation said.
Registration will close Friday, Sept. 14.
“We’re dedicated to offering an unforgettable experience, blending the rich history of Bethlehem with the thrill of sports,” Tiscio said.
"We're dedicated to offering an unforgettable experience, blending the rich history of Bethlehem with the thrill of sports"515 Main owner Chris Tiscio
217 Broadway seeks revival
Meanwhile, a commercial real estate listing is advertising 217 Broadway for lease in South Bethlehem.
The listing promotes the building as a “tremendous opportunity for an experienced restaurant/bar/hospitality operator.”
The building is a fully restored firehouse that previously operated as Broadway Social, and later as Revel Social Lounge.
Revel Social closed in early 2020 amid a reported landlord/tenant dispute between building owner Greg Salomoni and TBS Venture LLC, which owned and operated the nightlife hotspot.
“Everything remains in place and ready for the next chapter,” the real estate listing says, touting a 2,500-square-foot commercial kitchen, dining rooms, dance floor, bar, outdoor patio and DJ booth and controls.
The second floor of the building boasts another large bar and two lounge and dining spaces, while the lower level has “all critical infrastructure” and liquor storage, the listing says.
‘Safekeeping’ for liquor license
The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board shows a liquor license for the address in safekeeping, with the licensee listed as TBS Ventures Inc.
According to state law, any restaurant, eating place, retail dispenser, hotel, importing distributor and distributor licensee whose licensed establishment is not in operation for 15 consecutive days must return its license for safekeeping with the liquor control board.
By law, any license remaining in safekeeping for more than two consecutive years will be immediately revoked by the Bureau of Licensing unless a transfer application or request for reissue from safekeeping has been filed prior to the expiration of the two-year period, or unless the board has approved a request to extend the safekeeping for an additional year.
According to the PLCB, safekeeping on the liquor license for 217 Broadway expires on April 30, 2024.
