The downtown Scranton restaurant landscape continues to evolve as two more establishments opened this month.
Benny’s co-owners Corey Bayo and Brendon O’Malley purchased the former Kildare’s Irish Pub/Railyard Restaurant & Bar property, 119 Jefferson Ave., and opened their fourth location March 8.
Owners Elisha and Patrick Nolan — who operate the Alter House in South Abington Twp. — opened the Alter Bar on North Washington Avenue in Scranton on March 17.
Benny’s — which established its first bar and restaurant at 1216 Main St. in Blakely in 2016 — previously expanded to 916 Northern Blvd. in South Abington Twp. in July 2023 and the Green Ridge section of Scranton in March 2024 at the former location of Morgan’z Pub & Eatery, 315 Green Ridge St.
Manager Brandy Ortiz noted the staff appreciates the outpouring of love and support from the community
“Parade day was a complete success,” she said. “We sold over 3,000 wristbands — that’s how many people were on the property. The college kids have been coming in and out and a lot of our regulars from our other locations have been coming out to check the new place out.”
Benny’s also got a boost from a major sporting event — the NCAA men’s basketball tournament — starting shortly after the business opened.
“March Madness has been a huge success,” Ortiz said. “We’ve been busy from that all week.”
The entrance to the Alter Bar on Center Street in downtown Scranton Monday, March 23, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
The Nolans opened Alter House in April 2018 at 926 Lackawanna Trail. Their farm-to-table menu using locally sourced ingredients changes with the seasons.
The Alter Bar occupies 2,500 square feet on the first floor of the building at 116 N. Washington Ave. in downtown Scranton. The establishment is on the first floor behind the Empanada King eatery and has an entrance from the Center Street alley.
Elisha Nolan recognizes the positive momentum in the Electric City and felt it would be an ideal spot to expand the business.
“Scranton deserves more and we wanted to be part of that shift,” she said. “There’s a real energy building downtown right now. People are going out, they’re exploring, and they’re ready for something that feels elevated. We opened Alter Bar to ensure growth for our team and to help raise the standard of what a night out in Scranton can be.”
Nolan described the atmosphere as “elevated without being intimidating.”
“Alter Bar brings a level of attention to both food and cocktails that you don’t always find in a casual night out,” she said. “Every drink is crafted, every detail matters, and the food is designed to be shared, experienced and talked about. We’re trying to be the place you remember.”