Neither the departure of LeBron James nor the specter of another losing Browns season has dampened enthusiasm among restaurateurs to join the downtown sports-bar scene. The newest member is City Tap, which opens Friday, October 15, at 748 Prospect, on the grave of the former Boneyard and Forti's.

Owner Eric Pelham grew up near Norwalk but frequently visited Cleveland for games, and continued to after graduating from Bowling Green State University. His like-named bar in Bowling Green celebrated its first birthday in September, and he plans to replicate that formula here: a sports-bar feel (17 televisions) with restaurant-quality food (fresh-cut fries, handmade burgers, plus the usual wraps, salads and appetizers) and 40 beers.

Located away from "the hubbub of West Sixth," City Tap is the kind of pre-game stop "where you could bring your wife or girlfriend," Pelham explains. The two-and-a-half-month renovation included restoring the original floor and recreating the back-lit bottle display found behind the bar at his first location, but with three times as many bottles.

City Tap will also be open for lunch seven days week.

Source: Eric Pelham
Writer: Frank W. Lewis