D19 an Upscale Sports Bar Alternative

After eight months of renovations, D19 Sports Lounge & Eatery finally opened its doors on September 29. Sachem alum Michael DelRosso and partner Dana Andriello have transformed the Hawkins Avenue location into an upscale alternative to the traditional sports bar.

D19's atmosphere involves a classic black-and-white theme, from the tables to the booths and even the placemats. Diners can opt to join the hustle-and-bustle of the bar area, or can select the quieter dining room on the opposite end of the restaurant. Those looking for an even more private dining experience can choose the location's upstairs dining area, a space great for private parties and other events. D19 has eight flat-screen TVs, ensuring that patrons have full access to what they want to watch no matter where they choose to sit.

Although the location's grand opening is scheduled for November 19, it has hit the ground running with a variety of food and drink choices and specials.

DelRosso labels the menu "American classic," citing their extensive list of appetizers as one of the major highlights of the restaurant.

"We have fried pickles, classic calamari, Thai style calamari, cajun spice calamari," commented DelRosso. "And our kitchen is open until 3 a.m. every night."

The establishment's food menu also includes numerous signature burgers, such as the La Rustica Burger, Over The Top Crunch Burger, and Black & Blue Buffalo Burger. They also offer entrees like the Panko Crusted Chicken, D19's Grilled Skirt Steak and Stuffed Flounder Florentine.

Every Monday through Thursday, patrons can get half-off appetizers from 4-7 p.m., as well as $2.50 domestic beers, $3.50 imported beers and $3.00 well cocktails. Football fans can also grab $.19 wings during Sunday and Monday night football games, and DelRosso assured that other food and drink specials apply during many other sporting events.

On Friday and Saturday nights, the restaurant changes even further to accomodate customers' needs.

"At 10 p.m., all of the tables in the downstairs dining room come out to accomodate bands and DJs," said DelRosso.

The location's grand opening will start at 9 p.m. on Saturday, November 19 and will double as a fundraiser for The Field of Dreams Baseball & Softball organization, which distributes new and gently used sports equipment to underprivileged children. The event will include specials on Liquid Ice energy drinks, as well as giveaways from the Super Ugly Barber Shop.

At first glance, D19 is not your typical sports bar, but that's the way DelRosso intended it.

"You don't need to have Michael Jordan on the wall to have sports in the restaurant," he said. "We're doing something different here."

Sports Bar partners with Field of Dreams

On November 19, D19 is partnering up with The Field of Dreams Baseball & Softball organization to collect and distribute new and gently used sports equipment to less fortunate children at little or no cost.