Hideaway Empire opens in northeast Bend this week
Published 10:30 am Monday, October 28, 2024
- The John Wayne burger with chips at Hideaway Empire on Saturday in Bend.
An enormous 150-inch TV covers the better part of a wall at the new Hideaway Empire in northeast Bend, made up of four units that can stream different games simultaneously or a single game stretched across all screens.
John Nolan, owner of The Victorian Cafe and The Hideaway Tavern in Bend and Redmond, has added a new restaurant to his portfolio, opening to the public this week.
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In addition to the sprawling TVs, he upgraded the speaker system of the former Backyard Brick Oven Pizza & Pub.
“I think the audiovisuals are going to be a big part of advancing and taking The Hideaway to the next level,” Nolan said. “It’s going to be a standard that’s going to set the bar higher for the existing Hideaways and any more in the future.”
The sports bar sits in a small market complex on Lancaster Street, just off the northbound Bend Parkway. It’s well-suited for Nolan’s brand, but he’s made an effort to level up his game.
“It could have been turnkey, but John is so passionate about things looking nice and being spruced up and perfect,” said Amanda Iannuzzo, general manager of the three sports bar locations.
A fresh coat of paint covers walls decorated with glowing neon signs and sports memorabilia donning signatures of Arnold Palmer and Drew Bledsoe, former quarterback for the New England Patriots. Nolan estimates about 60 signed photos of hockey players span the walls.
What’s on the menu?
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Regulars of The Hideaway Tavern will be familiar with the menu, which remains unchanged, offering the same burgers, sandwiches and pizzas with housemade sauces and dressings.
Pizzas will be woodfired in the building’s existing New York Brick Oven, which was one of the lures for leasing the building, according to Nolan.
Additional spirits will be available, with more options of bourbon, tequila and Japanese whiskey.
Keeping it fresh
Nolan became a restaurateur at 29 with the purchase of The Victorian Cafe. Ten years later, he opened The Hideaway in Bend, followed by the Redmond location in 2015.
He’s found that day-to-day operations become monotonous when done the same way, year after year. So now, at 51, he’s ready for the next expansion.
“We really are a bit crazy — the restaurateurs of the world,” Nolan said. “I love the thrill of it. I always say there are a few rules to owning a restaurant. One of them is you have to embrace the chaos … enjoy the chaos … thrive on it.”
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Details
What: Hideaway Empire
Location: 63130 Lancaster St., Bend
Hours: Opening this week
Price Range: $8-$18 shared plates, $22-$38 pizzas, $18-$21 sandwiches and burgers