Bay Street is targeted for the Manhattan Sports Bar and Lounge at the site of the former Hourglass Pub & Coffee House Downtown.
Operator Quincy Benton said he wants to create a New York-themed establishment “to capitalize on the speakeasy buzz that is going around the country.”
The Hourglass, at 345 E. Bay St., closed in February. The location is at Bay and Liberty streets, next to the Police Memorial Building. It opened in June 2014 in the entertainment area known as The Elbow.
Benton said his goal is to open Thanksgiving weekend, pending permitting, or no later than year-end.
He plans to serve lunch 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and reopen as a lounge about 5 or 6 p.m.
Benton said he has been a consultant and investor in other venues and this is the first he is doing on his own.
“I picked that spot because of where it is and the crowd we are trying to attract,” he said.
Benton is targeting a professional crowd “that enjoys live entertainment and good food.”
He plans to serve small-plate Southern fare, including barbecue grilled and smoked on the back patio, as well as New York favorites like sausage dogs, popcorn and pretzels.
Benton plans 150 seats and the patio that he will convert to a beer garden. There will be seats in front, too.
He estimates a $50,000 renovation because “the bones are good” from the former use.
Beverages will include craft cocktails, as well as Manhattans, along with draft beer and other libations.
Hourglass Pub owner Shannon Williams said in January she was closing the bar to focus on family and health. Williams also was known as Shannon Widow, a nickname.
Benton applied to the city for a certificate of use for Manhattan Pub & Coffee for the 2,881-square-foot space.
