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New P.J. Whelihan’s opens in Doylestown

Staff and management of the PJW Restaurant Group cut the ribbon on the new P.J. Whelihan’s in Doylestown. PHOTO/PJW RESTAURANT GROUP
Staff and management of the PJW Restaurant Group cut the ribbon on the new P.J. Whelihan’s in Doylestown. PHOTO/PJW RESTAURANT GROUP –

The PJW Restaurant Group has opened its 29th location of P.J. Whelihan’s. The newest restaurant was opened in the recently renovated Cross Key Shopping Center off West Swamp Road in Doylestown on March 13. 

The latest opening comes on the heels of the opening of a new restaurant in Broomall this winter. 

“We could not be more excited to be a part of the Doylestown community. We’ve got a great team in place that is eager to showcase how PJs truly ‘does it better,’” said CEO Jim Fris. 

The menu will include PJs popular Buffalo wings, which come in a variety of more than 10 different sauces and burgers including vegan and vegetarian options. There will also be sides like loaded tater tots and a variety of dessert options. 

The main bar has 36 beers on tap including the company’s own PJW Copper Lager, which is brewed for the restaurant group by Victory Brewing Co.  

The 8,000-square-foot space was designed by Eimer Design, and features vaulted ceilings and custom woodwork. 

The new Whelihan’s has nearly 50 80-inch TVs, to make the bar and restaurant a destination for televised sporting events. 

There is also four seasons room that can be used for private events. 

P.J. Whelihan’s opens 19th location

The new P.J.’s restaurant, which is known for its Buffalo wings, casual bar fare and large variety of beer, was designed by Stokes Architecture of Philadelphia. PHOTO/SUBMITTED

 

Popular Lehigh Valley sports bar, P.J. Whelihan’s Pub & Restaurant has opened its newest location.

The PJW Restaurant group held a grand opening for its sports bar concept on Union Deposit Road in Lower Paxton Township.

It’s the 19th P.J. Whelihan’s restaurant in the chain and the 26th restaurant in the overall restaurant group, which also features restaurants such as the Pour House, a craft-beer bar and restaurant, and Chop House, a steak and seafood restaurant.

The new P.J.’s, which is known for its Buffalo wings, casual bar fare and large variety of beer, was designed by Stokes Architecture of Philadelphia. It features a large center bar that will seat 40 when COVID-19 restrictions are lifted. The bar will have 30 beers on tap.

There are 38 large-screen televisions throughout the restaurant that will feature local and national games.

Founded as Platz’s Inn restaurant in Lehighton 1983 by Bob and Donna Platzer, the restaurant group is now headquartered in Westmont, New Jersey. The first P.J. Whelihan’s opened in Allentown in the early 1990s.

P.J. Whelihan’s Harrisburg will be open Monday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Dave & Buster’s opens at Lehigh Valley Mall in Whitehall

The much anticipated Dave & Buster’s in Whitehall opens at noon on Monday.

The restaurant, sports bar and game center replaced a number of outbuildings at the Lehigh Valley Mall on Mac Arthur Road, including a former Wendy’s and Friendly’s and an office building that had previously housed tenants such as the Whitehall Area Chamber of Commerce.

The unique destination is expected to be an economic boost to Whitehall’s retail scene as it brings in people from outside of the area.

The closest Dave & Busters’ are in Philadelphia and King of Prussia.

Jeffrey Hartwyk, general manager of the Whitehall Dave & Buster’s, said even before they opened they had people coming to the door trying to come in.

“People aren’t only coming by, but since our phone line has been set up it’s been ringing off the hook,” he said.

People want to know when they’re going to be open, what specials they have and most importantly – what are the safety precautions being taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Although the pandemic didn’t stop the opening of the location, it has changed the opening and added challenges for Hartwyk.

He not only has to sell Dave & Buster’s as a destination for fun – something the chain is used to doing – he has to sell it as a place people will be safe while having that fun.

Hartwyk said they have many of the more common safety protocol in place. Mask-wearing will be required for both staff and guest, unless they’re sitting at a table and eating.

Seating will be kept 6-feet apart and the location will only let in 670 people at a time compared to the 1,350 the space can normally serve.

But because part of the fun is playing games, Hartwyk said they’ve had to go further.

Games that are close together will only have every other game working.

There will be sanitation stands where guests can grab gloves and use hand sanitizer.

There is also dedicated staff, called captains, who will be part security and part greeter and will make rounds through the gaming area to make sure masks are worn and everyone is social distancing properly.

For those who aren’t familiar with the Dave & Buster’s concept, Hartwyk said he’s heard people describe it as a Chuck E. Cheese for adults.

“But, I think we’re a bit more than that,” he said. “We’re really a place to come see a game in our bar. And, we don’t serve bar food, we have a full menu of restaurant quality food.”

The restaurant area has everything from entrees to sandwiches and salads, but Hartwyk said the most popular item on the menu tends to be their chicken nachos, which features marinated, shredded tinga chicken over house-made nachos with plenty of toppings and cheese.

They also have a full line of specialty cocktails. He said the favorite seems to be the strawberry margarita, which is made with strawberry ice cubes, so the flavor gets better as the ice melts.

The midway area, he said, has something for everyone.

Generation Xers will find some classic video games like Space Invaders and Pac Man.

For those seeking the most modern gaming there are virtual reality platform games, including Jedi Dojo, where players get to wield a light saber.

There of course is also a wide variety of carnival-style games where players can earn tickets to redeem in the prize shop.

Because of COVID-19 hours have been reduced to meet state guidelines.

The bar will be open until 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and until 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

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