![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/STT-L-DOWNTOWN-0320-01.jpg\")
The entrance to the Alter Bar on Center Street in downtown Scranton Monday, March 23, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG \/ STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)<\/p>\nThe downtown Scranton restaurant landscape continues to evolve as two more establishments opened this month.<\/p>\n
Benny\u2019s co-owners Corey Bayo and Brendon O\u2019Malley purchased the former Kildare\u2019s Irish Pub\/Railyard Restaurant & Bar property, 119 Jefferson Ave., and opened their fourth location March 8.<\/p>\n
Owners Elisha and Patrick Nolan \u2014 who operate the Alter House in South Abington Twp. \u2014 opened the Alter Bar on North Washington Avenue in Scranton on March 17.<\/p>\n
Benny\u2019s \u2014 which established its first bar and restaurant at 1216 Main St. in Blakely in 2016 \u2014 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\u2019z Pub & Eatery, 315 Green Ridge St.<\/p>\n
Manager Brandy Ortiz noted the staff appreciates the outpouring of love and support from the community<\/p>\n
\u201cParade day was a complete success,\u201d she said. \u201cWe sold over 3,000 wristbands \u2014 that\u2019s 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
Benny\u2019s also got a boost from a major sporting event \u2014 the NCAA men\u2019s basketball tournament \u2014\u00a0starting shortly after the business opened.<\/p>\n
\u201cMarch Madness has been a huge success,\u201d Ortiz said. \u201cWe\u2019ve been busy from that all week.\u201d<\/p>\n
The entrance to the Alter Bar on Center Street in downtown Scranton Monday, March 23, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG \/ STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The Alter Bar occupies 2,500 square feet on the first floor of the building at 116 N. Washington Ave. in downtown Scranton.\u00a0 The establishment is on the first floor behind the Empanada King eatery and has an entrance from the Center Street alley.<\/p>\n
Elisha Nolan recognizes the positive momentum in the Electric City and felt it would be an ideal spot to expand the business.<\/p>\n
\u201cScranton deserves more and we wanted to be part of that shift,\u201d she said. \u201cThere\u2019s a real energy building downtown right now. People are going out, they\u2019re exploring, and they\u2019re 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
Nolan described the atmosphere as \u201celevated without being intimidating.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAlter Bar brings a level of attention to both food and cocktails that you don\u2019t always find in a casual night out,\u201d she said. \u201cEvery drink is crafted, every detail matters, and the food is designed to be shared, experienced and talked about. We\u2019re trying to be the place you remember.\u201d<\/p>\n
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