Pacino’s, the new cigar bar poised to take over the former Morning Call office on Main Street in Bethlehem doesn’t look like it’s opening any time soon. I spoke with someone familiar with the operation during Harvest Festival and he said the owners ran into trouble with getting permits from the city. He noted they’d be open sometime in November. I stopped by a few nights ago to check out progress and none had been made. The spot is still empty with debris covering the floor. I wouldn’t expect an opening this month, possibly not even before the new year.
The establishment is poised to be one of the only upscale places in the Lehigh Valley that you can smoke a cigar indoors. The only other places you can do so are private clubs, places with exemptions, and the casino, all of which (maybe with the exception of the casino) aren’t exactly upscale. It’ll be a nice change for the cigar smokers in the valley who have been shunned from many places due to the state smoking ban and outgoing Gov Ed Rendell being no fan of tobacco. From the looks of the blueprints it will have a nearly 40 person bar as well as various tables, couches, etc. in the open and in private alcoves to enjoy your company.
Keep reading for more updates as they’re available.
A mockup of the facade
Blueprint of the interior (click for bigger)
A shot of the liquor license details, showing the license coming from the fallen Dancing Fish Co