The long-awaited Varsity Tavern sports bar and nightclub finally will open its doors next week on the southeast corner of Mill and Fifth Street in downtown Tempe.
The specific day has yet to be determined. It takes over the 8,000-square-foot, second-story space that formerly was home to Hooters.
‘‘The Varsity Tavern experience is going to be similar to what you might find in downtown Scottsdale in terms of DJs, light shows, live music entertainment, and first-class bottle and dining service,’’ says co-owner Josh Reagen of the Texas-based Reign Group.
The kitchen, under the direction of former Monti’s La Casa Vieja chef Albert Hernandez and consulting chef Robert McGrath (Roaring Fork, Renegade Canteen), will create ‘‘Texas-style food with a distinctively Arizona spirit.’’
Highlights of the lunch/dinner menu and brunch menu include:
- Lone Star chili with mashed potatoes, Fritos, sour cream, and cheddar
- Barbecue pork ribs with Red Hots! applesauce
- ‘‘Tejas poo-teen’’ with fries, peppery Texas pan gravy, cheese curds, and vinegar
- Sloppy Joe (‘‘the sloppiest of Joseph’s on an onion roll’’)
- Tamale pie with spiced picadillo beef, tomato, roasted corn, and cheddar
- Blackened shrimp green chile macaroni (pictured)
- Funnel cakes with cinnamon and powdered sugar
Reagen’s hospitality group opened Rodeo Ranch, an urban country bar with a mechanical bull, in August on the building’s ground floor (formerly Gringo-Star Street Bar).
The group plans to open a rooftop bar and lounge on the third floor (formerly The Owl’s Nest) by the end of December.
In early 2019, a Texas barbecue concept will join Rodeo Ranch on the street level.
Varsity Tavern will be open from 11 a.m.-2 a.m. daily.
