Hub Restaurant and Ice Creamery at 266 E. Congress St. opened today after more than a month of renovations. Hub's dining room now sports new tables and chairs, as well as a 27-seat private dining room in the former Pizzeria Bianco space, next door.
The bar area also has new furniture and shelving, with golden figurines all over the wall. The bathrooms have also been moved across the building to make way for a staircase. While the food menu is the same (with a new menu coming this fall), there are two new Champagne cocktails: the Raspberry Beret with St. George raspberry liqueur and the Ford's Escape with gin and cucumber basil syrup.
The improvements are part of a deal by businessman Scott Stiteler with the Rio Nuevo district, the Daily Star reported in April. Under the terms of the deal, Stiteler pledged to invest $3.2 million to expand and renovate his two businesses. The deal also includes renovations on nearby Elvira's, of which Stiteler is the landlord. Hub's sister bar Playground at 278 E. Congress St. will reopen sometime this fall.
Hub is open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to midnight. Happy hour is every day from 3-6 p.m. and 10 to close, with $2 off beer, wine and cocktails, and half off selected appetizers.
