Varsity Club owner opens doors for first look at sports-themed bar in downtown Youngstown
John Rudy invited friends, family and local community supporters to help him cut the ribbon on the Varsity Club, downtown Youngstown’s next favorite bar and restaurant for game nights.
Rudy said they’re getting ready to open the doors to the sports-themed bar and restaurant on Commerce Street that’s in partnership with Youngstown State University.
“We opened on Thursday for a few hours just to show the place to everybody. We’re going to be doing some training and within the next week we’ll be making our announcement for our grand opening,” Rudy said.
Rudy said partnering with YSU was a natural fit since he’s been tailgating with the Penguins fans for about 20 years.
“YSU is a big part of the Mahoning Valley and a big part of downtown. We’re going with a sports bar theme downtown, YSU is right next to us. It just goes hand in hand,” Rudy said.
Rudy said the Varsity Club is fully-staffed and “ready to rock and roll.”
“We just got to make sure we do it right. We’re going to start slow. We’re going to start adding things slowly to the menu. We just want to get a good base going before we start,” he said.
Next, they’ll be releasing the official menu for the Varsity Club, as well as happy hour specials and events.
“The city of Youngstown, YSU and the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber have been great,” Rudy said. “There’s been some setbacks, but I always say every setback is a set up for a comeback, and right now I believe we’re coming back downtown.”
This story was originally published December 14, 2024 at 5:33 AM.
