‘Mcdonough’s newest hot spot’ to replace Leopard Lounge.
Itza Sports Bar and Grill is opening a Midtown location.
The sports bar will replace the now shuttered Leopard Lounge (most recently ER Lounge) on 12th Street, according to a permit filed with the city of Atlanta last week.
Urban Eats Consulting, who’s clients include Cafe Circa, Hotel Indigo Athens and Tin Lizzy’s, has been tasked with developing the concept and design for the new Midtown location.
The space is a “rustic 1920s bungalow,” according to Urban Eats.
If history is any indication of the future, Itza will do very well at their planned 12th Street location in our “sophisticated” Midtown.
Considering all that works are Taco Macs and wall-to-wall television mounted Hudson Grilles, Itza’s got the right stuff:
1. 25 HD flat screens.
2. An extensive menu of fried bar food.
3. Covered patio.
4. Cold beer.
In addition to Midtown, Itza Sports Bar plans on opening several locations across Georgia, according to their website.
Itza Sports Bar and Grill
84 12th Street NE
Atlanta GA, 30309
35 Responses
That name. Seriously?
Didn’t Leopard Lounge become ER or something?
hi sb– good question. they share the same address: http://www.yelp.com/biz/er-lounge-atlanta
–cjs
Yeah another sports bar. The menu shows no vegetarian options. Boyfriend and I who are midtown residents will be avoiding that place. At least Taco Mac has a few options.
I’ve eaten at the McDonough location. There going to have to improve the food if they think they can make it in midtown.
I walked by the old Leopard Lounge (now called ER) last Thursday night and it was closed and didn’t look like it had been open for a while.
hi chris– thanks for the update! it looks like er lounge replaced leopard for a brief period of time. we’ll make a note of this in the post.
–cjs
Maybe I’m just being naive, but is there anywhere else where restaurants/bars from tiny satellite cities ever wind up taking up prime-time space in a “big city”?
Yeehaw.
I am not proud of it but I did go into this space after it became ER Lounge, probably about 9 months ago. It is a very big space including a downstairs area which at the time was filled with hookah smoke. It was extremely loud and very dimly lit. I looked at my buddy and we both wondered if we had stumbled into an underground Thailand Opium den right in the heart of Atlanta.
Anyway, seems like someone with creativity and money could make the space a lot more functional and opened up not unlike Front Page News.
I just looked over their menu and gained 10 pounds.
Urbanist – money talks (especially in this economy)… Sounds like this locally owned soon-to-be-chain is hoping to become the next Taco Mac. The funny thing is they haven’t even been in existence as “Itza Sports Bar” for even a year yet – they used to be called “Itza Taco”!
And I wouldn’t call the former Leopard Lounge location “prime time space”.
My initial reaction to this announcement is “meh”…
that name is horrible
Maybe, just maybe, 5 years from now, the new apartment construction (which hopefully will have some more followers) will turn the tide of demand in midtown away from McDonought Hot Spots, and towards unique and original concepts.
Who said midtown is “sophisticated” or that it needs to be?
Midtown needs more regular bars, not clubs or lounges. The sports bars do well because they are closer to a regular bar than something like leopard lounge. Meanwhile, the virginia highland and inman park bars are packed every weekend.
WELL,I HAVE EATEN AT THE MCDONOUGH LOCATION AND IT WELL…WHAT CAN I SAY ?? IT SUCKS!!! THE OWNER IS AN IDIOT,I USED TO BE A VENDOR FOR COMPANY THAT DELIEVERED TO THIS LOCATION.HE IS NOT GOOD WITH MONEY,NOR IS HIS MONEY GOOD. HE BOUNCES CHECKS AND OWES PEOPLE ALOT OF MONEY. ALSO,THE FOOD TASTES LIKE ITS ALL FROZEN,THE ONLY THING FRESH IS THE PRODUCE. HE IS NEVER THERE TO MEET HIS PATRONS AND KNOW HIS RETURN GUESTS!! THE BAD THING IS I LIKED IT AT FIRST BECAUSE MCDONOUGH NEEDED A NEW PLACE,BUT AFTER A FEW TRIPS TO THIS DUMP, I CAN SEE WHY THE PLACE WAS ALWAYS EMPTY,WHICH IS WHY THERE WERE ALWAYS NEW EMPLOYEES. THEIR STANDARDS FOR CLEANLINESS SUCKED ALSO BC IF YOU SIT AT THE BAR YOU WOULD THINK YOU WERE IN A BARN THERE ARE SO MANY FLYS. ALSO, THE HEALTH SCORE IS LOW AND HAS FAILED TO BE REINSPECTED SINCE REOPING AS “ITZA”SPORTS BAR. IM HOPING SINCE THEY ARE OPENING IN ATLANTA THEY GET IT TOGETHER,BC IF NOT THEY SURELY WILL FAIL. FROM KNOWING THE BUSINESS,YOU CANNOT CUT CORNERS!!NONE!! THE SERVICE WE HAD THERE WAS ALWAYS GREAT,SO THERE IS A PLUS!! ALSO THE BEER WAS ALWAYS COLD AND THE COCKTAILS WERE NICE. MAYBE JUST LISTENING TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC SOME MORE WILL HELP THEM. IM SORRY IF THEY DONT LIKE THIS REVIEW,BUT THE COMPANY I WORKED FOR THAT WORKED WITH THESE PPL HAD TO STOP DOING BUSINESS WIH THEM,BC THEY ARE BAD BUSINESS!! TO EACH THEIR OWN. MAYBE YOU WILL LIKE IT. BUT JUST LIKE MOST OF HENRY COUNTY,I DONT!!!!
I reckon they don’t have capslock in Henry County.
What happened to the Leopard Lounge?
Caleb – Maybe you can work a quick IQ test that people are required to pass before they can get posted? Suggestion for the first question: “Are you from Henry County?”
I will never understand Urbanists logic that somehow apartment residents demand more sophisticated restaurants and bars. 90% of renters are this places key demographic, college students and recent grads with very low standards and low disposable income. Money may rent elsewhere but when it’s still more economical to buy why would someone with the cash throw it out the window every month? I love the apartments but it’s because it will provide demand for basic everyday amenities but don’t hold your breath for the crowd to be of “sophistication” . I also don’t get what’s wrong with getting together with friends and watching a game in a comfortable setting like Hudson Grill. Believe it or not people in cities like sports, that’s why the teams are here.
@ JT – your inability to comprehend basic concepts is both amusing, yet frustrating at the same time. Where did I use the word “sophisticated”? What I said was “unique and original”. Apartments deliver this, as they bring more people into an area. By nature, the more people you have in an area, the more demand you’ll have for new businesses…and I’m hopeful that demand will be for things other than sports bars.
Now, it’s more economical to buy than it is to rent, is it? Try telling that to people who put a $50,000 down payment on a home two years ago and are now under water in a home they can’t sell at anything but a steep discount. Moving on…
Second, the Daniel apartments are going to start at $1500 for a 1BR and go up from there. The types of people who will rent those are the same people who rent similarly priced apartments in other areas of Atlanta. Those people are primarily young professionals with nothing but disposable income. They are people who may only earn $60k per year, but they spend most of every dollar they earn on restaurants, nightlife, and shopping.
I also think the argument can be made that the type of person who wants to live in Midtown, vs. EAV, or Brookhaven, etc. is a more urbane person, looking to be as close to the “center of action” as they can be in Atlanta. These are people who value good restaurants/nightlife/shopping.
There’s nothing wrong with getting together with friends to watch a game. However, there are plenty of places to do that – Hudson Grill, Taco Mac, the Nook, etc. And yes, I’m aware how much people in Atlanta love sports…which is why we have such solid support for our cities teams, like the Thrashers.
I would like to see more places like The Porter in Little 5. They not only have a huge beer selection and good food, they don’t have one TV in the entire place. I love that. When I go out I don’t want to watch more TV. I want to hang out and have good conversion. You go to most bars around town and every one is staring at TVs like a bunch of zombies.
Dear Owner: There is still time to change your concept name. Itsa gonna be necessary to youra future success.
Urbanist is irrelevant, stop recognizing his existence. Let him be lonely in his rental apartment.
Name is horrible. I think the the restaurant can work, but concept has to be tweaked.
“1. 25 HD flat screens.” Not so much.
As someone who has spent more time in Midtown in the past 15 years than most, I’d have to say Leopard Lounge was a great, fun & unique concept when it opened in 1998ish? Ken Rickenbacker was one of the original owners and developed a great crowd with great drinks and atmosphere. He did not get along with his partners and sold his portion and it quickly turned into another shinny shirt hang out full of 35,000 a year millionaires. Since then it has been nothing but crap like most of the other small Midtown Bars/lounges. These fly by nights (Dragon Fly, The 7 places that have been in the location on the corner of Crescent and 12th, Boom Boom room, Flip Flops, FUBAR, Crescent Room, Nomenclature to name a few.) The only thing they offer are bad DJ’s, Big cover charges, rude service, expensive drinks and $20.00 parking. I agree with the person that said bars like The Porter would be a better option. That said I still prefer a sports bar over the cheesy clubs but am suspect of this concept. It sounds very OTP. By that I most, not all concepts but most that are born OTP usually lack originality and are designed to appeal to a crowd that is less progressive and very unwilling to swim outside the mainstream.
HERE ARE SOME RECENT REVIEWS FROM URBAN SPOON ON “ITZA”!!!! ENJOY!!!!
I hear that this restaurant may be closing down due to lack of business and over-extending credit with vendors. Even after changing their name, menu and closing down for 3 weeks. There must be some serious financial management problems.
1 person recommends this review Recommend
Itza Sport Bar and GrillSanitation Grade C-Horrible!
June 08, 2011 – Doesn’t like it
I do not recommend this restaurant! Still has a restaurant health inspection score of 75(C) under their old name (Itza Taco). Have they even been re-inspected since 12/2010 under their new name? This is important to those of us who dine out!
1 person recommends this review Recommend
Itza Sport Bar and GrillBlacks Are Not Welcome Here?
June 07, 2011 – Doesn’t like it
Heard about Itza because I found a flyer about the new open mic event on Wednesdays. So I came out to show support but never heard of the place before then. Thought I would give it a try. Unfortunately I was quite disappointed when I realized that only after three weeks of attending this open mic event, they were giving it the ax and were shutting it down early. It appeared that they no longer wanted to accomodate the patrons (mostly blacks) who were attending. I had invited some of my co-workers out and was quite embarrassed that they had changed the time. I had to call my friends (who were in route) to tell them not to come. To my surprise, we were told the show had to end at 11:30pm and we were directed to leave-literally put out! (reportedly as per the Indian owner referred to as Tony’s) instructions. Couldnt understand this because there were still some whites sitting at the bar and on the patio who were continued to be served alcohol as we were leaving-WTH! When I asked why, found out later that they (Itza) simply don’t want to be known as “hip hop” and the owner doesn’t even like blacks. Is there an assumption that ALL blacks are hip hop or uncivilized and unworthy of being treated with the same respect given to others? I’ve attended comedy night (mostly whites) and the same has NOT occured. It appears that open mic night was given the ax without good cause! There were no incidents of violence or anything I saw that was out of line. Just a bunch of young adults staying out of trouble and trying to let the world hear their art. I’m not one to pull the race card but this was worth mentioning. Well, since I am black, I figure my money is no good here so I personally won’t be returning. Whoever this “Tony” guy is should be fired!
1
I agree with Chris — more places like The Porter with no TVs would be great (Sound Table in O4W and Holman & Finch in Buckhead are other ones). Bars without TVs constantly tuned to sports seem in such short supply in Atlanta.
I don’t mean to criticize anyone who enjoys places with sports on TV. I’m sure those are good spots for having fun watching a game. But I’m not a sports dude myself and I’d enjoy having some place near my Peachtree-corridor home I could enjoy. Maybe there’s a place like that near Peachtree I don’t know about?
Urbanist has very valid points with regard to apartment housing spurring economic development. From a retailer perspective, I can tell you that when seeking new locations, density and disposable income are primary drivers in development decisions. At least at this point in time, vacancy rates in condo developments are extremely high; however, apartment vacancy rates are stable, so from a developer perspective are a sound development opportunity.
In the case of urban areas, it is often mid-range apartment housing that provides the catalyst for the density that is needed to sustain new retail development. If you look at a majority of restaurant and retail clusters throughout the U.S., they are more often then not flanked by dense housing options (apartments). Younger cities, like Dallas and Houston, which are also experiencing an urban revitalization, recognized this in their city planning, and highly incentivized apartment/loft communities to develop around their urban core. This has led to a huge demographic shift and has spurred a renaissance of retail/restaurant development.
On another note…I agree this is a terrible name and conceptually this restaurant/pub does nothing to enhance the midtown experience or fill any voids. They may want to retool in order to best meet the needs of the midtown resident.
Darin, check out Black Bear Tavern on Peachtree (near Piedmont Hospital). They do have a couple small TVs but nobody is every watching them and the sound is usually off. That place is more about conversation and drinking. Lots of drinking.
Looks like someone has a personal agenda (JIM) against the company. Did you get fired from there or something? Personally, I will wait to give my judgement once the place opens and see how their food is. Its good that a seafood sports bar is coming on this side of midtown.
ROSE,IF YOU WOULD HAVE ACUTALLY READ MY FIRST REVIEW ON HERE,YOU WOULD KNOW I WAS NEVER FIRED FROM THIS COMPANY. AS STATED BEFORE I USED TO WORK FOR A COMPANY THAT WAS A VENDOR FOR “ITZA”!! YOU ARE RIGHT ATLANTA NEEDS A GOOD SEAFOOD SPORTS BAR,BUT THE SEAFOOD HAS TO BE FRESH DAILY!! FROZEN SEAFOOD TASTES JUST AS IT SOUNDS,FROZEN!! MY POSTS HERE ARE TO EXPRESS THE FACT THAT THESE PEOPLE RUN A BAD BUSINESS!! MAYBE THEY WILL GET IT TURNED AROUND,BUT I DO NOT BELIEVE THEY CAN PULL IT OFF IN THE ATLANTA MARKET. ATLANTA IS CUT THROAT,IF THEY DO NOT GET RIGHT FROM THE START THEY ARE DOOMED!! JUST LOOK AT THE PLACES IN THE LINDBERGH AREA THAT HAVE GONE UNDER BECAUSE O BAD BUSINESS:HOT STYX,URBAN FLATS,FIRKIN AND LINDBERGH,AALIYAHS,JUST TO NAME A FEW. SO MY POINT IS ,YOU NEED TO MAKE SURE YOUR FIRST LOCATION IS OPERATING IN PRIME WORKING ORDER BEFORE OU TRY TO DO IT IN ATLANTA!!!
Please stop with the ALL CAPS! You com across as yelling and it’s hard to read.
there website is
All I can say is LOL. Midtown’s ‘clubbing district’ continues to fail harder than the Aussie planker.
Jim, Dude you’ve got problems….I guess now we all know why you “useto” work for a certain vendor, youve got a big ass mouth. You have actually taken the time to type all that rubbish “in all caps”. You have to have some kinda grudge agains Itza. I think you were fired from there for running your mouth or something… C’mon dude find something better to do than trying to bash others.
JASON,YOU DUMBASS!!! I WAS NEVER FIRED FROM THERE BECAUSE I NEVER WORKED THERE!! I WORKED FOR US FOODS!! I WORKED FOR A GUY WHO ATTEMPTED TO HAVE A BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP WITH THE PLACE AND THE OWNER OVER EXTENDED HIS CREDIT LINE WITH THE COMPANY SO MUCH TO THE POINT OF A POSSIBLE LAWSUIT!! HE WAS A CRAPPY OWNER AND THIS IS WHY THE PLACE IS NOW CLOSED!! WORD AROUND TOWN IS HE IS TELLING FOLKS HE WAS BOUGHT OUT,HE WAS NOT BOUGHT OUT,THE BUM JUST PISSED HIS MONEY AWAY. HE ALSO HAD A CRAPPY EXCUSE FOR A WANNA BE CHEF IN THERE WHO COULD NOT PROVIDE ANY PROPER CREDENTIALS. SO JASON,BEFORE YOU OPEN YOUR MOUTH,I SUGGEST YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT!!!