A new curiosity comes to downtown Scranton.
Noir Dark Spirits, which took over the spot of the former Keys bar at 244 Penn Ave., opened its doors to the public on Saturday.
Owner Josh Balz said he wanted to offer another place to go in the city and one that “accepts all walks of life.”
“It’s a dark but pleasant establishment in the city of Scranton,” Balz said Wednesday.
Noir serves up some eye-catching tapas and cocktails created in collaboration with chef David Ciminelli. The Dark & Stormy cocktail, for example, is “a medley of rum, ginger beer and some smoke,” according to the restaurant’s social media.
Menu items include the Muenster Mash, a burger concoction of bison, lamb, duck and antelope, served with bacon pepper relish, quail egg and Muenster cheese; and Chocolate Coffin Cakes, which are almond coffin cakes, coagulated Luxardo cherry, dark chocolate cream, burnt butter crème icing and gold skull.
Balz’s other ventures include Noir Nights, a limited-invitation nightclub/Goth dance party event that regularly sold out at Stage West, 301 N. Main Ave., Scranton; the Strange and Unusual antique store and oddities parlor in Kingston, which also houses Steamy Hollows, a Harry Potter-themed cafe; and Batty Fang Salon & Spa at The Woodlands Inn and Resort, Plains Twp.
Previously, Balz was a keyboard player for Motionless in White, a nationally recognized metal band that originated in Northeast Pennsylvania.
Seating is limited and Noir is reservation-only at this time. To reserve, visit noirdarkspirits.com.
For more information, visit its Facebook and Instagram pages.
Laura Rysz is the features copy editor and calendar editor at The Times-Tribune and runs the Talk of the Times column, which focuses on local fundraisers and other events. She also writes Chef’s Table that profiles restaurants around the region. Additionally, Laura curates events online on AccessNEPA.com. Laura is involved in the special Mother’s Day edition and curates occasional features Marry Memories and Times Travelers. She is a graduate of Haddonfield Memorial High School, New Jersey, and earned an English professional writing degree with a minor in mass communications from King’s College, Wilkes-Barre. She also earned a certificate in Social Media Marketing from Rutgers Business School. Contact: lrysz@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100 x5228.
