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WILKES-BARRE — There’s a new bar on the block.
The former Bart and Urby’s location has been remodeled and re-opened as The Down Pour, and will have its grand opening on Friday at 4 p.m.
Bart and Urby’s, a Main Street staple in Wilkes-Barre since 2005, closed in January after its owner, Brian Urbanas, passed away after a battle with multiple sclerosis.
Now, after nearly a year of lying dormant, the location is ready to be opened to the public once more, under new ownership.
Josh Popple and fiancee Kaylee Macko recently purchased the building that housed Bart and Urby’s, and held an invitation-only soft opening. Regular hours will begin on Thursday, with the special event on Friday.
Macko has been in the serving and bartending business for years, while Popple says he is new to the whole scene.
“I’ve just been looking at this as sort of a new adventure,” Popple said.
Popple and Macko hope to bring a bit more of an upscale touch to Main Street, he said, while still maintaining the charm and appeal that made Bart and Urby’s so popular.
Macko worked at Bart and Urby’s as a server and bartender for three years, so the location was immediately familiar to the two of them when they were scouting out potential spots to open up The Down Pour.
“The opportunity was there, and we took it,” Popple said.
In addition to typical bar food, Popple says that The Down Pour will have many different entrees and fine dining options.
With good food comes a need for good beer, and The Downpour will have that covered in full, with 24 taps on draft and a wide variety of mixed drink options to appeal to everyone.
“Martinis, Manhattans, we’ve got it all,” Popple said.
“We’re just really looking forward to everyone coming out and enjoying it,” Popple said.