Scranton, Pennsylvania – March 6, 2025 – The owners of the popular Alter House restaurant, located near Clarks Summit, are planning to open a new dining establishment, Alter Bar, in downtown Scranton. City officials have confirmed that N. Washington Ave Properties LLC, doing business as Alter Bar, intends to purchase and transfer a liquor license from the Grill at the Highlands LLC in Archbald to their new location at 116 N. Washington Ave.
This move is part of the company’s expansion plans into Scranton, bringing a new dining experience to the city. The transfer of the liquor license is currently under review by Scranton City Council, and a public hearing is scheduled for Tuesday at 5:45 p.m. at Scranton City Hall.
Scranton City Council’s Support for the New Venture
At a city council meeting on February 25, council members voted 5-0 to introduce the resolution for the liquor license transfer. Council President Gerald Smurl, along with Bill King, Mark McAndrew, Jessica Rothchild, and Tom Schuster, all expressed support for the new business venture. Rothchild called it “exciting” and noted the value of expanding a successful local business into Scranton.
“I’m excited to see another business, another restaurant, come into the city of Scranton,” said King, adding that the owners’ reputation for success made it an even more promising development for the community.
Alter Bar: A Fresh Dining Option in Downtown Scranton
Alter Bar will occupy a 2,500 square foot space on the first floor of 116 N. Washington Ave., located behind the Empanada King eatery. The new restaurant aims to offer a distinct dining option in the downtown area, contributing to the city’s evolving food scene.
Charles Jefferson, the building owner, emphasized the positive impact the new restaurant would have on downtown, stating, “It’s a great opportunity for the downtown. It brings a different restaurant option to the downtown.”
Alter Bar is slated to open in the summer of 2025, offering a seasonal, sustainable cuisine similar to the offerings at Alter House. Known for its farm-to-table menu, Alter House has been a hit in the Clarks Summit area since it opened in 2018.
Liquor License Approved for Rooftop Bar at Oppenheim Building
In a separate development, Scranton City Council also approved the transfer of a liquor license for the rooftop bar at the Oppenheim Building on 409 Lackawanna Ave. Known as The Roof at Oppenheim, the bar operated as a seasonal pop-up in 2024 and is now set to offer a regular service schedule with the full-time liquor license approval.
The Roof at Oppenheim will continue to operate seasonally, from spring to late October, and will feature a variety of events and special programming. The establishment will be open Fridays and Saturdays from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 8 p.m., depending on the weather.
These new restaurant ventures highlight the ongoing growth of Scranton’s downtown area as it becomes an increasingly popular destination for dining and entertainment.
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