A new dive bar has been proposed at 93 Pratt St. in downtown Hartford.
Meantime, a longtime downtown hallmark, The Tobacco Shop, has closed its location at 89 Pratt St.
Rock Bar, described as a traditional “dive bar” with affordable drinks and a laid-back atmosphere, would be owned by Marc Alderucci, an East Hartford resident and former captain with the Department of Correction.
Alderucci owns 144 Temple, a nightclub in New Haven that had its license temporarily suspended for serving minors earlier this year, according to the Yale Daily News.
He also owns Cousin Jimmy’s Pizza Bar in Storrs and Social Lounge in Glastonbury.
Alderucci is the former owner of three Hartford establishments: Pourhouse at 103 Allyn St., Palace at 113 Allyn St. and Bourbon Street at 70 Union St.
Alderucci has submitted a request for a special permit to establish a drinking place at the Pratt Street location. The item is on the agenda for the Planning and Zoning Commission’s Sept. 23 meeting.
Alderucci reportedly has an agreement to lease the storefront space from building owner Shelbourne Global Solutions.
The location is across from 64 Pratt St., where UConn is converting an office building into apartment-style housing for about 200 students.
According to the application, the menu would include hot dogs, red hots, sausage grinders, chips and burritos prepared on the premises. Also, food from nearby restaurants could be eaten on-site.
Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages would be available at the bar.
Hours of operation would be 3 p.m. to 1 a.m., Sunday through Thursday, and 3 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.
The venue would have a music theme and allow for open mic nights and live music by local bands and musicians, according to the application.
There would be special theme nights for musical genres ranging from jazz to rock to blues.
Security personnel would work to ensure customer safety and “limit entry to the abundance of homeless individuals that frequent the street at night,” according to the application.
The 93 Pratt St. location was previously slated to house El Gallo y El Coqui, a restaurant that ultimately fell through before opening.
The storefront previously housed Edible Arrangements.
Rock Bar would be located near the former home of The Tobacco Shop, a mainstay in Hartford that appears to have closed. A phone number connected to The Tobacco Shop, which had been facing eviction for not paying rent, is no longer in service and the store appeared empty this week.
