When considering the décor and menu selection in a typical sports dive bar, it would not be unusual to assume a shabby interior, greasy food and lack of beer selection.
This assumption, however, is incorrect for Tempe’s newest sports establishment, Lucky Break Billiards Bar and Grill, which celebrated it’s grand opening Dec. 26 at McClintock Drive and Baseline Road. The bar is owned by Lucky Break LLC, which was established in 2011. Lucky Break is the first and original location to be opened so far.
General manager Jared Fenix said the location in Tempe was chosen because it serves as a good gateway between Tempe and Chandler. Fenix also said the location provides a good demographic.
Customers are greeted with 20 flat screen TVs showcasing the biggest sports games of the day, a warm and clean interior design, pool tables and shuffle boards, 24 beers on tap and the aroma of gourmet burgers wafting out from the kitchen.
“It’s a gourmet burger place, not something you’d find at any other bar,” manager Craig Gorecki said. “It’s not greasy sports bar food.”
With the exception of a few domestic draft picks, Lucky Break offers a vast collection of exclusively local and craft brews — at prices they say even students can afford.
“We support all the local breweries,” Gorecki said. “And we’re not trying to kill anybody with prices on the beer.”
While the happy hour is the average 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. with $1 off draft beers special, it is also offered on the weekends, not just weekdays.
Lucky Break employee and mathematics junior Jessica Reed said the happy hour is “extraordinary.”
“You can get a craft beer at domestic prices,” Reed said. “You get to expand your horizons in the beer world.”
Not stopping for pause, Reed recommended the white chocolate ale as her favorite draft choice.
“Without a doubt,” she said. “It’s so good. It’s light and refreshing, and you can really taste the white chocolate.”
Chef Ian Westlake said he was presented with a concept of the menu by the owners of Lucky Break and polished it with his own variations.
He said because of today’s tough economic times, people are looking for more of a comfort food style menu, which is what he gives them.
“It’s fun, it’s affordable, it’s big and in your face,” Westlake said of the menu concept.
He also said although the menu may seem small, patrons can order variations of burgers with either beef, a turkey or veggie patty, or chicken breast, expanding the menu into more options than those that initially meet the eye.
Westlake recommended the “Peanut Butter Thing” as a dessert option. The combination of ice cream, peanut butter, Reese’s and Oreos is unique, he said.
“It’s like a big ball of love and then we make it all fun,” Westlake said.
Reed said she loves the menu and has tried almost everything.
“The food is bomb,” Reed said. “It’s not crazy expensive.”
With a DJ on the weekends, shuffleboards and an array of pool tables scattered around the establishment, Reed said there is no way anyone could ever be bored.
“It’s a chill place to go,” Reed said. “It’s not Mill (Avenue), but you’re going to get good food. You’re not going to get gypped and you’re going to get great service.”
Reach the reporter at kmmandev@asu.edu
