Greater Harrisburg's Community Magazine

Serving up Soul: Nyree’s Restaurant and Lounge coming to downtown Harrisburg

Joe Hobbs in front of what will soon be Nyree’s Restaurant & Lounge.

It’s easy to get hungry when Joe Hobbs starts listing off menu items coming to his soul food restaurant opening in downtown Harrisburg.

Nyree’s Restaurant & Lounge, with a location on the west shore, will soon expand to include a larger restaurant at the former Bridge’s Social Club at 321 N. 2nd St. in Harrisburg.

“I think Harrisburg needs this, especially downtown,” Hobbs said. “We have to get our feet on the ground over there.”

Nyree’s is leasing and will open in the three-story building that was on the market since early 2020, soon after Bridge’s Social Club closed after several instances of violence.

Hobbs said that safety will be his priority at the restaurant and that he will include security on the weekends.

The first floor of the building will be the main restaurant, which will likely open in the coming weeks, Hobbs said. It will feature favorite menu items from their shop in the Cedar Cliff Plaza on Carlisle Road. Hobbs said their popular dishes, such as barbecue turkey wings, catfish, fried chicken, baked mac and cheese and collard greens, will be served alongside new additions like shrimp and grits, chicken and waffles and alligator bites.

He especially hopes that people who haven’t tasted soul food will try Nyree’s plates.

“Harrisburg is a very diversified city,” Hobbs said. “You have people from all walks of life. We want them to experience our food.”

The restaurant will include live entertainment, as well.

Once securing a liquor license, Hobbs will open a lounge for jazz nights, couple’s dinners and other entertainment events. The lounge will be for customers over 30 years old and will implement a dress code.

He expects to use the third floor for private parties.

Nyree’s originally opened in Harrisburg from 2013-14 at the corner of Market and Cameron streets. In 2020, they opened in Camp Hill. That location will remain open.

Hobbs, a Philadelphia native and former Harrisburg resident, is excited to return to the city.

“I love Harrisburg,” he said. “I think being in downtown, we will really grow.”

Nyree’s Restaurant & Lounge will open at 321 N. 2nd St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit their Facebook page.

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