New restaurant to take over shuttered Town Tavern site in downtown
Michael Sophiea, owner of Mesa Tacos and Tequila in downtown Royal Oak, wants to open a new restaurant bar at the site of the shuttered Town Tavern.
Sophiea, a member of the city’s Downtown Development Authority, has been involved in a number of bar restaurants in town over the years, including the Oak City Grille and the former Rumors, and the Ciccarelli’s sports bar locations in Detroit and Auburn Hills.
On Monday, Sophiea will seek approval from the City Commission for his plan of operations to open a casual restaurant bar called The Side Bar at the closed Town Tavern at 116 W. Fourth Street.
Sophiea has a liquor license he is transferring to the new location. The Michigan Liquor Control Commission no longer requires local approval of license transfers. But Royal Oak’s city code does require approval of an owner’s plan of operations from the City Commission.
Royal Oak police review plans of operation for liquor licensed bars and restaurants before the commission votes on whether they are acceptable.
Royal Oak police Lt. Keith Spencer has issued a report on the proposed Side Bar operations.
“Mr. Sophiea has operated several downtown establishments
in Royal Oak since 1985,” Spencer said in the report. “My findings indicate ( he) meets the necessary requirements and the police department is not opposed to the request.”
Plans for the new 3,700 square-foot restaurant come with a request for an outdoor service area and entertainment with live acoustic guitar music or a DJ.
Sophiea is asking for an entertainment permit for occasional live magicians, comedians, trivia contests or podcast shows, Spencer said.
Proposed seating inside The Side Bar is for 97 patrons, and another 12 patrons in an outdoor patio service area.
The owner of the former Town Tavern, Bill Roberts, closed down shortly after the COVID-19 pandemic began in March and state officials limited restaurants to selling only carryout orders.
Food at The Side Bar would be American- style casual dining offerings such as specialty burgers, gourmet sandwiches, soups, salads and appetizers. A full kitchen and staff would serve lunches and dinners.
Sixty- percent of sales would come from food and the rest from drink sales.
The restaurant would be open 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Monday through Saturday, and noon to 2 a.m. Sunday.
Sophiea is paying $10,000 for furniture, fixtures, equipment and inventory, and will rent the former Town Tavern space for $5,241 a month, according to Spencer’s report.