Vacancy combines sports bar, speakeasy and restaurant in downtown Cuyahoga Falls

Has anyone noticed that neon red Vacancy sign in downtown Cuyahoga Falls next to The Farmer’s Rail?

Most curious passersby peaking in see a fully stocked bar surrounded by mounted TVs and correctly assume the space is inhabited to some capacity, despite its name.

In fact, Vacancy’s owner believes it will soon be the most popular late-night hub on Front Street.

What is Vacancy in Cuyahoga Falls?

Vacancy will be a two-level speakeasy, sports bar and restaurant located at 2225 Front Street.

The ground floor will be sports bar oriented, with live odds boards for sports betting, and late night grub from The Farmer's Rail served via a stainless steel tunnel connecting the two establishments.

The space can seat 28 guests, not counting standing room, and will be open 4 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Tuesday through Sunday.

The menu will be a similar, but shorter, version of what The Farmer’s Rail normally serves. Customers can look forward to noshing on burgers and fries, salads, wings and more. The kitchen will close at midnight weekdays and 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday.

The basement has been revamped into a swanky prohibition-era speakeasy that patrons can only enter after finding the entrance and using a secret code given by the upstairs bartender. About 28 guests can fit in the speakeasy’s indoor section and an additional 12 can sit on its patio.

It will serve high end cocktails, martinis, wines and beers from 4 p.m. to last call Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

The speakeasy serves as a time machine back to the 1920s, with a few modern flairs. When first walking in, customer’s eyes may gravitate towards the bar’s lit counter and the room’s diamond coffered ceiling.

Framed TVs displaying art and black and white films make the space feel old-timey and unique but not too foreign. A large wall of antiquated keys is on display above a plush corner booth near the outdoor patio door.

“That's the thing about a bar, at some point all there is to do is look around," said owner Mitch Pachta. "So that's why we took so much time with the details and the lights and the woodwork and the crown moldings and everything."

One of the notable drinks served at the speakeasy will be a tiramisu martini comprised of in-house tiramisu made with cognac and espresso-soaked ladyfingers. Another is an adult Lunchable, which is a dirty vodka martini with Danish blue cheese stuffed olives served with a charcuterie board that attaches to the stem of the glass.

A sidewalk-long collaboration

Vacancy will serve as a sister location to Cashmere Cricket , a popular bar known for craft beers and cocktails just a few doors down the sidewalk, which Pachta purchased three years ago.

It’s not unusual for Cashmere Cricket, which seats 90, to have a two-hour wait on a Friday night and turn away customers because of a lack of space. Instead of recommending they visit another bar, Pachta, 28, plans to send them on a short walk over to Vacancy.

Around two years ago — when residents of Hudson, Bath, Cleveland, Green and Canton began turning up at the Cashmere Cricket — Pachta knew it was time to expand the business and shorten their wait times.

“This was very unique for myself because it was the first time that I ever had a ground up chance to not only think of the guest, but the service as well,” said Pachta.

While this will be among several speakeasies planned for downtown Cuyahoga Falls, Vacancy General Manager Levi Nelson believes the collaboration between Cashmere Cricket and the two identities within Vacancy will be well received.

What’s with the name Vacancy?

Many may remember when Tommy Bruno's and, later, Larry Jerry's Corkscrew Delicatessen operated out of where Vacancy now resides. The space has been unoccupied for over 30 years, which led Pachta to the name Vacancy.

Originally, the owner wanted to acquire Hunt’s Bar and Grille, which is now Tiki Underground, but it was the building closer to Cashmere Cricket that worked out in the end.

It took a hefty amount of remodeling to get the sports bar and speakeasy to Pachta’s liking, but he is more excited than ever to welcome guests into Cuyahoga Fall’s newest watering hole.

If there was one word to describe how Pachta wants customers to come away from Vacancy feeling, it would undoubtedly be eager.

Eager to return.

Eager to talk about their experience.

The young entrepreneur simply hopes they leave eager to fill Vacancy.

Got a story recommendation? Contact Beacon Journal reporter Tawney Beans at tbeans@gannett.com and on Twitter @TawneyBeans. And follow her adventures on TikTok @akronbeaconjournal.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Vacancy combines sports bar, speakeasy and restaurant in downtown Cuyahoga Falls