A new two-floor bar and restaurant located on the corner of 15th and Oxford streets will be the newest addition to the growing number of student-oriented small businesses off-campus when it opens later this spring.
Masters Bar and Restaurant owner Waylon Nelson and manager John Bryne said they plan on opening Masters’ doors in late March or early April, and are planning a job fair in late February.
The Masters owners planned to open in Winter 2013, but said contractor issues as well as a contested liquor license slowed the project down. The Barber’s Hall, which is located around the corner from Masters location, originally contested Masters’ license, but after a hearing with city councilmen, the two bars settled their issues, Bryne and Nelson said.
Requests for comment from The Barber’s Hall were not returned.
Nelson, a 20-year executive chef and general manager of G Lounge in Center City, said Masters plans to offer appetizers, salads, sides and an assortment of alcoholic drinks. The menu ranges from $5 to $18.
“Temple is growing. It is the lunch truck capital of the city and we are looking to bring a different culture to the area,” said Bryne, the operating manager of Masters as well as a Fox School of Business alumnus.
Bryne, a Philadelphia native, said he thinks Masters will cater mostly to Temple’s expanding off-campus student population, which has exploded by several thousand in recent years, though he hopes people will come from beyond Main Campus.
“We are looking to create an environment to include everyone. We want construction workers, police officers, faculty, staff, veterans and students passing through the bar,” Bryne said. “Of course students will be our biggest market, but we want everyone to feel welcome.”
Masters’ two-floor layout will house the main bar area on the first floor, and the owners hope to create a study-friendly atmosphere on the second floor for students looking to grab a drink or a bite to eat and get some work finished in the middle of the day. Master’s will offer free Wi-Fi on the second floor as well.
Bryne said the scene will differ at night and for Philadelphia and Temple sporting events.
“For games we want people to feel they can come to Masters and pre-game for the game, or watch the game through its entirety,” Bryne said, adding that at night the second floor will be open to dancing.
“We want to create a real Vegas-style night club lounge setting. We don’t want Temple students to travel all the way to Center City for that type of scene.”
Wyeth Shabel can be reached at wyeth.shabel@temple.edu
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