EASTON, Pa. — A pair of beloved businesses are coming together to revitalize nightlife in Easton.
It plans to do that with a new bar promising the feel of your favorite watering hole and the quality spirits of the best lounge in the Lehigh Valley.
Presley’s Cocktail Bar confirmed Thursday that a partnership with Cellar Beast Winehouse soon will transform the 159 Cellar into a “one-of-a-kind upscale dive bar that’s destined to elevate the Easton nightlife scene.”
“What makes this bar stand out? Picture this: reasonably priced drinks, a vibe that’s effortlessly cool, and cocktails that might just be the best in the Lehigh Valley."Presley's Cocktail Bar in a release
Set to launch in February, Presley’s Cocktail Bar will sit at 159 Northampton St. and promises a “fresh twist to classic cocktails and unforgettable nights.”
“What makes this bar stand out? Picture this: reasonably priced drinks, a vibe that’s effortlessly cool, and cocktails that might just be the best in the Lehigh Valley," a release from the owners states.
"Whether you're craving a perfectly crafted dirty martini or a Manhattan that hits just right, Presley's Cocktail Bar is ready to serve up your new favorites.”
In a toast to collaborations, Presley’s will exclusively feature Cellar Beast Wines, in addition to offering up special reserve wines not available anywhere else.
And if you happen to be a Cellar Beast enthusiast, celebrate, because you will be able to pick up your Wine Club shipments at the new location.
'An upscale dive bar'
The transformation of the tasting room kicked off on Thursday, Jan. 1, when Cellar Beast shuttered the doors to make way for the new cocktail bar.
According to the owners, minor renovations are planned in order to set the stage for an “unforgettable space.”
At the helm of the new venture are C.J. Moyer, who co-owns La Maya and owns Presley’s Cocktail Bar and Moyer Design Co., and Jean Carlos Jimenez, head bartender at La Maya and new co-owner of Presley’s.
“A dive bar is considered something that's very intimate, something that's small, something where the clientele is usually the local community, something that might be a little inexpensive. So where the upscale term comes in is the idea that we'll have a menu of $5 standard cocktails and beers that are well-priced.”C.J. Moyer
With their combined expertise, you can expect nothing short of "brilliance in every detail,” a release from the pair states.
Presley’s promises an atmosphere built upon good music, great cocktails, and “even better vibes,” with the bar open from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Thursday through Saturdays.
From Sunday through Wednesday, the space will be available for private rentals, with catering options from La Maya.
Moyer said the partnership came about when Cellar Beast reached out to him and Jimenez to see if they were interested in updating the old tasting room.
“And we kind of both had the same idea of creating an upscale dive bar,” he said.
Menu space for class, too
It’s worthwhile to take a break and acknowledge the elephant in the room that is the “upscale dive bar.”
“A dive bar is considered something that's very intimate, something that's small, something where the clientele is usually the local community, something that might be a little inexpensive," Moyer said.
"So where the upscale term comes in is the idea that we'll have a menu of $5 standard cocktails and beers that are well-priced. You know, things aren't going to be incredibly expensive.”
Of course, if you’re down for something a little classier, there will be menu space for that, as well, Moyer said, with craft classic cocktails and other intriguing offerings from Jimenez.
The idea behind the spot is something akin to a place for people who work in the industry — servers, bartenders, chefs, line cooks — and want to enjoy a well-made-but-affordable after-hours drink.
That's something that is hard to come by in the Lehigh Valley.
“It's not going to feel like a dive bar, but it's also not going to feel like a five-star restaurant. It's just going to be comfortable.”C.J. Moyer
“Well, Presley's Cocktail Bar will offer just that, right?" Moyer said.
"We'll have your classic gin and tonic for $5 and then we'll go from a gin and tonic to a classic cocktail, like a very well-made old fashioned or a Negroni, or even a well-made dirty martini that might run you $10, and then we might jump into stuff that's more crafted."
'Just going to be comfortable'
Essentially, it’s a spot to score a great mixed drink on the cheap while enjoying a cozy atmosphere with friends and colleagues.
“It's somewhere where you can get a $5 beer and the person sitting next to you might want a six-ingredient cocktail that costs them $15 right?" Moyer said.
“It's not going to feel like a dive bar, but it's also not going to feel like a five-star restaurant."C.J. Moyer
"So it's that play on being classy, but also not having to pay the dollars, and having a space that feels warm and welcome and just comfortable for everybody.
“It's not going to feel like a dive bar, but it's also not going to feel like a five-star restaurant. It's just going to be comfortable.”
Just because Presley’s has a brick-and-mortar location now doesn’t mean its mobile unit is gone.
Moyer and Jimenez have ensured “that legacy will live on,” and their bar-on-wheels will remain available for anything from birthdays to corporate events for the sake of special occasions.
