KAREN VIBERT-KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette Matt Eyer, left and Cole Kitchen, right, recently bought the 200-year-old Tivoli Tavern.

Tivoli Tavern, a newly renovated American-style restaurant located north of Hughesville, at 9522 Route 220 Highway, has withstood multiple reincarnations over the past two hundred years.

Originally known as the Temperance House or Eagle Hotel, it was built in 1826, according to the Muncy Historical Society. The building fell under new ownership on Dec. 27, 2023, and reopened after renovations on Jan. 25, 2024 It was purchased by Matt Eyer and Cole Kitchen, who retained the name of Tivoli Tavern.

“We bought the bar for a few reasons,” said co-owner Matt Eyer. “We both have worked in the (restaurant) industry for most of our lives. I have owned a few little deli/cafe shops in the past and have been bartending as a side gig for quite a few years. Cole has worked in kitchens in the past and we both love to go (out) to eat. I mean, we barely cook at home. We are both very social people and when the Tivoli Tavern came up for sale…we saw a little diamond in the rough and thought we could really make something of it. So we went for it.”

Eyer grew up in Unityville while Cole Kitchen grew up in Laporte, making the Tivoli Tavern and surrounding community the social duo’s “middle ground.” Their personal experience with the bar was minimal before purchasing the building; “We ate here just a few times before we decided to purchase the place,” Eyer said. “The previous owners did a fantastic job and everything was always delicious.” With an outpour of long-standing and new customers entering the Tivoli Tavern, it seems the two made an excellent choice.

“Our menu style is very American Tavern,” Eyer said. “With fresh half-pound burgers, cheesesteaks, wings, salads, subs and sandwiches. We make homemade soups daily. We offer a dinner menu from 4 to 9 p.m. featuring Black Diamond steaks, homemade crab cakes, haddock, beef tips and more.”

Aside from the regular menu, Tivoli Tavern offers daily specials for lunch and dinner. On the first weekend of every month, the tavern offers prime rib dinners. Drink specials vary, but Eyer assured: “The bar at the Tivoli Tavern is welcoming, engaging and enthusiastic, featuring draft beer, a large variety of bottled beer, wine, and cocktails of all flavors!”

In addition to the menu and atmosphere, Tivoli Tavern is hosting live music events and DJ guests over the next few weeks. According to Eyer, this weekend, the bar will host a “Karaoke acoustic/DJ experience featuring Dj Wyld, Feb 17; DJ Wyld, ‘Sunday Funday’ featuring live music with Logan Route, March 3, 2 to 5 p.m.; The Heartstrings duo will be performing on March 15, 9 p.m. to midnight.”

The social atmosphere is thanks to some of the changes made by the new owners to the building’s structure. “The shape of the new bar and removing a wall between the bar and the dining room allow everyone to be part of the experience,” Eyer said. “It’s a very social bar and there seems to be so much to talk about while customers are there.”

The building’s revamp is not over yet. Plans are still being drawn up to remodel the tavern further, likely taking place after a measurable period of the bar’s success. “We have some building remodel plans and possibly (the creation of) an outside space,” Eyer said.

When asked what his favorite feature of Tivoli Tavern was, Eyer explained his affection for the community members; “Our favorite feature is the customer…We’ve witnessed a lot of unplanned reunions and reconnections between people from the area. Like an old watering hole, bringing everyone together. It’s been quite special. There is so much interaction going on that it’s not very often you see anyone staring at their cell phone. It’s great…Everyone is so present.”

The Tivoli Tavern is located at 9522 US 220 Highway, Hughesville, near Picture Rocks. Specials, menus, hours, and entertainment announcements can be found on the tavern’s Facebook page, facebook.com/TivoliTavernPA.