BETHLEHEM, Pa. – A popular pub in Northampton County remains temporarily closed following a fire, but the business’ ownership team anticipates it bouncing back with “the same great food, staff and atmosphere” in the new year.
The Bethlehem location of Pints & Pies Neighborhood Pub, at 21 E. Elizabeth Ave., has been temporarily shuttered since a fire damaged the property in late November.
Repairs are set to begin this week, and the pub should reopen sometime in the first quarter of 2026, co-owner Jose Pinargote said.
“We’re hoping to keep to a construction timeline of around two months for our reopening,” Pints & Pies co-owner Jose Pinargote told 69 News.
“The fire spread fast and caused significant damage, especially in the kitchen, which needs to repaired. But luckily, the Bethlehem Fire Department responded very quickly and put it out very quickly, limiting the fire’s spread. So, we are just really thankful for those firefighters and also that no one was hurt.”
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 believe 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.
“The kitchen’s completely destroyed,” Pinargote said.
“All of the kitchen equipment and ductwork will need to be replaced, along with the roof. We also had a lot of water damage in the bathrooms, ceilings and basement. The dining room is mostly OK except for some smoke damage. So, we might need to replace the TVs and some other items in the dining room due to the smoke damage.”
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 original location of Pints & Pies Neighborhood Pub operates at 2049 Northampton St. in Wilson.
Pints & Pies Neighborhood Pub
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.”
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.
Pints & Pies Neighborhood Pub is located at 21 E. Elizabeth Ave. in Bethlehem.
Ryan Kneller
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.
“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.”
On Dec. 1, Pinargote and Kehm also shared a message of appreciation to staff members, firefighters and the community at large on the business’ Facebook page.
“Thanks to the quick actions of our team, everyone was safely evacuated and no one was hurt,” the post reads.
“We want to extend a huge thank you to the Bethlehem Fire Department and all first responders for their rapid response and incredible work in containing the fire and limiting the damage. We will need to close for a short period to repair the affected area, but we are grateful that it wasn’t worse. Just last week we celebrated our 2-year anniversary in the amazing city of Bethlehem, and the outpouring of love and support from the community means the world to us.”
Ryan Kneller
Also on Dec. 1, Bethlehem Firefighters IAFF Local 735 shared a post extending support to the Pints & Pies team following the fire’s damage.
“@pintsbethlehem has become a true staple in the City of Bethlehem one of those places that brings people together, supports the community, and reflects the spirit of our city,” the post reads.
“Over their time here, they have stood by us in countless ways: donating uniforms and items for our 9/11 Memorial Softball Games, supporting our pink T-shirt sales, and hosting dine-to-donate events that help us give back to the community we all love. Their generosity has lifted us more times than many people realize. Today, we stand with them just as they have stood with us. We wish the entire Pints & Pies family a fast, full recovery and look forward to the day their Bethlehem location reopens stronger than ever.”
Until the Bethlehem location opens, Pints & Pies fans can continue to patronize the business’ original location in Wilson.
For the latest Pints & Pies updates, follow the business’ pages on Facebook and Instagram.