Popular Buffalo bar set to open new location on Empire Blvd. in Penfield
The day is nearly here. The Bar-Bill Tavern in Empire Boulevard in Penfield is set to open next week.
Clark Crook, who along with his family owns and operates the Bar-Bill Tavern, is nearly finished transforming the former MacGregor's Grill and Tap Room at 1129 Empire Blvd into a Bar-Bill Tavern. The site will become the business' third bar, also the first outside of Erie County. He said he plans to open on Friday, July 7.
"Much like our other locations, Rochester has been a labor of love restoring and old historic building," Crook said. "Our goal is to provide a community asset that Rochester can be proud of."
Once open, the business will operate from 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily, he said.
Crook in early 2022 applied to the Town of Penfield to rebrand and reopen the 8,300-square-foot building. In April 2022, Crook's special use permit was granted. The initial plan was to open last summer, but Crook delayed the timeline to rebrand and reopen the business, located next to Lucien Morin Park.
The popular Buffalo-area bar is known for its chicken wings and beef on weck sandwiches and for drawing patrons from all walks of life, including professional football players, like Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, and other celebrities. Typical tavern fare is also served - appetizers like soft pretzels, jalapeño poppers and a variety of fries - personal pizzas and chicken fingers, not to mention a variety of beer, wine, hard cider and seltzer, according to the Bar-Bill website.
Bar-Bill has been operating in East Aurora since 1977.
In 2011, the Crooks purchased the family business from Katie Crook's uncle, and opened the Clarence shop in January 2020, according to the tavern's website.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Bar-Bill Tavern set to open on Empire Blvd. in Penfield NY
