BAR AND RESTAURANT VETERANS TO OPEN PENNSYLVANIA RYE COMPANY IN DOWNTOWN ALLENTOWN

City Center Investment Corp., the real estate development company revitalizing downtown Allentown, Pennsylvania, today announced that a team of bar and restaurant veterans has leased space in downtown Allentown to launch Pennsylvania Rye Company (PA Rye Co). Owners Dan Gonzalez and Jesse Haik plan to open the bar and restaurant on Hamilton Street this summer and a bottle shop next in early fall.

PA Rye Co, located at 536-538 Hamilton St., is 6,200 square feet with a bar on the first floor and restaurant space on the second floor. Its retail wine store next door will have access from the bar. Both locations will have outdoor space for customers to eat and drink. 

“Dan and Jesse’s history of launching top-quality hospitality spots combined with their passion for Allentown really set them apart from other interested operators,” said Jill Wheeler, City Center’s Vice President of Sales and Marketing. 

The bar will offer the most extensive collection of Rye whiskey in the Lehigh Valley, focusing on Pennsylvania producers, along with 16 rotating beer taps, an extensive seasonal cocktail list, and a boutique wine list. PA Rye Co will host happy hour from 3 to 6 p.m. every day it is open. 

“We are thrilled to be launching this summer in downtown Allentown,” said Gonzalez. “Although Jesse and I have worked in, launched and managed various locations nationwide, we both kept coming back to Allentown as the place we wanted to open our own bar.”

Haik added, “We are planning a strong cocktail program with featured PA Ryes, but we will be much more than just a Rye bar. We have an excellent chef coming from New Hope and have already been in conversation with whiskey and wine makers to host special exclusive cocktail events. Our plan is that PA Rye Co will be a place where everyone is welcome.”

The menu will be simple but creative, diverse, and designed for busy residents and visitors. Small plates will be priced between $10 and $18.

PA Rye Co will be open 3 p.m. to 2 a.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Private event space is also available for reservation by calling Jesse at 484-929-2729.