One of Binghamton's legendary dining and socializing spots will be coming back to life when a new restaurant opens its doors.

Sharkey's Bar & Grill was a fixture in the city's First Ward for 73 years before it closed in November 2020.

A sign above an entrance to Sharkeys in Binghamtons First Ward on November 17, 2020. Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News
A sign above an entrance to Sharkey's in Binghamton's First Ward on November 17, 2020. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
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The building at 56 Glenwood Avenue has been quiet since then. There was some speculation that another restaurant was planned for the site when the property was sold to Maria Houmbavlis in 2022. But the place remained vacant.

Houmbavlis then sold the property to KPK House LLC of Johnson City for $225,000.

Inside Sharkeys Bar and Grill shortly before it closed in November 2020. Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News
Inside Sharkey's Bar & Grill shortly before it closed in November 2020. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
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In recent weeks, what remained of the Sharkey's interior was gutted and renovations were started as the new owners worked to prepare the place for a new eatery.

Plans call for a Johnson City restaurant to relocate to the former Sharkey's site.

Halal Bites, which has operated at 652 Riverside Drive for several years, will be moving to the Glenwood Avenue location.

Halal Bites restaurant on Riverside Drive in Johnson City on January 31, 2025. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
Halal Bites restaurant on Riverside Drive in Johnson City on January 31, 2025. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
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A Halal Bites manager told WNBF News that the new venue will have more seating than the current restaurant. He said the menu will be expanded to include more Indian and Pakistani dishes.

There's no target date for the opening of the new Halal Bites location in Binghamton but it's expected to begin operations sometime this summer.

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: Email bob@wnbf.com or call (607) 545-2250. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.

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