Edinboro Hotel Bar undergoes renovations

Coarsely carved words decorate the aged wooden booths, documenting sloppy collegiate nights; faithful regulars sit on the worn, circular bar stools, sipping their drinks of choice; and a mix of classic-rock and today’s hits fill the 1952 bar, unifying the generations that crowd within the walls of Edinboro’s oldest eating and drinking establishment.

However, the accustomed scene of the Edinboro Hotel Bar will soon take on a new look, as renovations to the bar are currently in the works.

“The idea of renovating the bar has been in the works since I purchased the bar 10 years ago,” said Edinboro Hotel Bar owner Pat Hargest.

He continued: “The actual renovations started in January. We needed architectural drawing that had to be approved by the state, which took some time.”

The bar renovations include: new handicap accessible restrooms; new bar top area and emergency exit in the pool room; new tile flooring on the dance floor; front bar area and back bar area; demolition of old restrooms; the building of a stage area with a new front window; new liquor island behind the bar with a 16-draft tower; and select aesthetic changes, such as lighting on the outside of the bar.

“This make-over will be very important for our overall business. People are going to be amazed when they see the difference,” said Hargest.

He continued: “Obviously, people knowing we've gotten rid of our dilapidated restrooms in favor of brand new, state-of-the-art ones will create a better atmosphere right away. The stage will foster more opportunities for us becoming a go-to live music venue.”

Renovations are expected to be completed by April 22.

“That is the day (April 22) of the Edinboro Barstool Open, a charity event where each bar in town creates a golf hole and patrons travel from bar to bar playing putt-putt. Also the 22nd is my 10 years of ownership party,” said Hargest.

Additionally, the Edinboro Hotel Bar will be hosting live bands on their new stage Friday, May 19 and Saturday, May 20, as part of the Edinboro Art and Music Festival.

Macala Leigey is a managing editor for The Spectator. She can be reached at eupnews.spectator@gmail.com.