Samy's Bar to Become Anthony's Restaurant

Samy's Party Bar, which closed last summer after repeated liquor license violations, will reopen as an American/Greek-style restaurant with the original owners back in control.

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Sebastos and Maria Hohlastos, who opened the bar at 3151 Voyager Lane near the Louis Joliet Mall in 1994, reclaimed the business last year after problems ensued when it was leased to another set of managers.

Son Anthony Hohlastos, the restaurant's namesake, compared the new eatery to Houlihan's, but said it will focus on "modern American, Greek cuisine, Mediterranean cuisine." He said the restaurant will serve burgers, sandwiches and steaks.

During Monday's pre-council meeting, Liquor Commissioner Jim Murphy said that over a three-year period, there were more than 200 calls to Joliet police at the bar.

Issues at the location ranged from fights to violations such as locking or padlocking exit doors and exceeding the maximum occupancy limit. 

According to Murphy, the calls put a strain on Joliet resources, prompting Police Chief Brian Benton to request that if a new license is issued, it be monitored closely.

At the Monday night meeting, At-Large Councilwoman Jan Quillman questioned the owners' request to be permitted to sell packaged liquor. 

Sebastos Hohlastos, who previously owned a bar at the location that now houses Just One More at Theodore and Raynor, as well as an establishment in Lockport, said he's always sold packaged liquor as a convenience to customers who want to take home a six-pack when leaving the bar.

"It's an extra," Hohlastos said.

"What's the purpose of selling packaged liquor if you're going to have a nice restaurant there?" Quillman asked. She said the policy creates the potential for customers to buy a six-pack, drink it in the parking lot, then go back into the bar to buy more alcohol.

"Then you've got a nuisance problem," she said.

The owners agreed to drop the request, amending it to exclude packaged liquor sales.

Anthony Hohlastos said the restaurant will be open from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. to midnight on Sunday.

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