For Laz Melan, it was practically love at first sight.
He’d never been to Pottsville before but when he saw the building downtown that once housed The Wooden Keg and The Brass Tap, he knew he had to have it.
On Thursday, he plans to open the door to the new Eagle Tavern, located at 112 E. Norwegian St., in Pottsville.
Melan says he purchased the famous pub about a month ago and “I just fell in love with it.”
More specifically, Melan says he’s in love with the bar itself, inside.
If you’ve been inside this building in the past, you’ll know exactly what he means. And if you haven’t, you need to stop by to see.
“The bar itself is beautiful,” Melan says. “It really is. I can’t recreate this. Somebody loved it.”
As for Eagle Tavern, Melan is envisioning an old tavern vibe for the business.
He settled on the name as an homage to Yuengling Brewery and its original name as Eagle Brewery.
He plans to serve various Yuengling beers from behind the bar, of course. There will be 10 total beers on tap, plus numerous brands on draft and in bottles.
The bar’s pub food-style menu will also feature several Yuengling-infused items. There will also be smash burgers.
Melan is an Easton native, where he owned two bars. When he first visited Pottsville, he says it reminded him of Easton in the 1990s.
“I see the potential. I like it,” he says.
Part of his introduction to the city was a personal all-access tour of Yuengling Brewery, including a sit-down with the local legend, Dick Yuengling.
“It was a nice welcome,” Melan says.
He understands the challenges the current economic climate presents to bar and restaurant owners but says, “You’ve got to roll the dice sometimes. I rolled calculated dice.”
Melan hopes to be able to capitalize on the tourist traffic the famous brewery draws to Pottsville and provide a place for visitors to come after they’ve completed their tours.
Eagle Tavern plans to be open Tuesdays-Saturdays, from 11 a.m. until 11 p.m.
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