BETHLEHEM, Pa. – More than three months after a fire damaged a much-loved pub in Northampton County, the business is nearing a tasty comeback with the “same great food, staff and atmosphere.”
The Bethlehem location of Pints & Pies Neighborhood Pub is set to reopen on Friday, March 13, at 21 E. Elizabeth Ave., according to an announcement on the business’ Facebook page.
The Bethlehem pub has been temporarily shuttered since a fire damaged the property in late November.
Monday’s announcement confirms an update that co-owner Jose Pinargote shared with 69 News a couple of weeks ago.
“We have been working as hard and quickly as possible and are planning a March 13th re-launch,” Pinargote said.
The Pints & Pies team is coordinating with local musicians and DJs to line up entertainment for the March 13-15 weekend to celebrate not only the pub’s reopening but also St. Patrick’s Day and March Madness, Pinargote said.
Fire officials responded to the two-alarm fire at Bethlehem’s Pints & Pies just before 12:30 p.m. on Nov. 30.
Crews quickly brought the blaze under control by venting a rear portion of the building’s roof, Pinargote said.
Customers and staff were quickly evacuated, and no one was injured.
An exact cause of the fire has not yet been determined, but the blaze is believed to have originated in the walls, Pinargote said.
The kitchen sustained a bulk of the fire damage, with smoke and water damage affecting other parts of the structure, Pinargote said.
Kitchen equipment, ductwork and a large portion of the roof needed replacement.
The dining room was “mostly OK except for some smoke damage,” Pinargote said.
“Luckily, the Bethlehem Fire Department responded very quickly and put [the fire] out very quickly, limiting the fire’s spread,” Pinargote said. “So, we are just really thankful for those firefighters and also that no one was hurt.”
The original location of Pints & Pies Neighborhood Pub operates at 2049 Northampton St. in Wilson.
Pints & Pies Neighborhood Pub
Pints & Pies Neighborhood Pub originated 12 years ago at 2049 Northampton St. in Wilson, and Pinargote and his partner, John Kehm, opened a second location of the successful concept in November 2023 in Bethlehem.
The business has built a loyal following thanks to its extensive craft beer selection and high-quality pub fare, including wings, burgers and cheesesteaks.
Twelve-inch pizzas, or “pies,” featuring made-from-scratch-daily dough and other fresh ingredients, are especially popular.
In Bethlehem, Pints & Pies occupies an updated building that was previously home to 21 Crafthouse and Kitchen, which closed in November 2022 after about three years of business.
Kehm and Jose Pinargote spent most of 2023 extensively renovating the building’s interior and exterior.
“We literally ended up gutting the entire space, including the kitchen,” Pinargote told 69 News at the time. “Everything is brand new – the flooring, plumbing, electrical work, stainless steel appliances, everything.”
Pints & Pies Bethlehem
The Bethlehem property, about twice the size of Pints & Pies’ original location, also has housed other drinking and dining establishments, including Trapper’s, Silver Star Saloon, McGillicuddy’s, Our Beer Belly’s and Roosevelt’s 21st.
Prior to opening, Pinargote, Kehm and a team of contractors also implemented other upgrades, including new ceiling fans, pendant track lighting, porcelain tile flooring, stone and shiplap walls and a top-of-the-line pergola.
Industrial touches include granite bartops, metal cages for bar storage and corrugated metal accents below the bar.
The Bethlehem Pints & Pies location also features a digital jukebox and around 15 big-screen TVs, including a video wall above the central bar, allowing different programs to be shown on each screen or one program to be shown collectively on all of the screens.
“We wanted to update the space with modern touches while also keeping that classic, neighborhood pub feel,” Kehm told 69 News in 2023. “We’re really excited to create in Bethlehem what we’ve already created in the Easton area – an approachable spot where people can enjoy great food, beer and company.”
Following the fire, the Bethlehem pub received “hundreds and hundreds” of Facebook and Instagram messages from customers inquiring about its reopening and any possible ways that they could help, Pinargote said.
Ryan Kneller
“We are blessed to have so much support from the community, both at our original location in Wilson and now in Bethlehem as well,” Pinargote said.
“Our customers are like family, and we want them to know that we’re coming back in full force! They can expect the same great food, staff and atmosphere.”
In Monday’s online announcement, Pinargote and Kehm noted that Pints & Pies Bethlehem has retained its entire staff and thanked them for “their loyalty, dedication, and hard work.”
They also expressed appreciation for the construction team, City of Bethlehem and others who helped the business bounce back.
“A huge shoutout to MAS Home Improvements, PMV Mechanical, and everyone else who worked long days and weekends to get us to this point in record time,” the announcement reads.
“And last — but certainly not least — thank you to the City of Bethlehem, our friends, family, and this amazing community for all the love and support over the past couple years. We are incredibly grateful, incredibly blessed.”