Don Felix Bar & Restaurant
Don Felix, an American-Latino restaurant, bar, and lounge, opened in June 2016 on Elizabeth Avenue. The building has a story behind it. It was built in the late 1800s. Until 1907, it served as a newsstand and stationery store. In 1907, the Schwind family opened one of Elizabeth’s original saloons, the Schwind Saloon (bar and restaurant). From about 1960 to 1980, it was the very popular Sportsmen’s Tavern with a beer garden in the rear of the building.
The owners of the new eatery – Bill Felix and Dana Lemonova-Felix - have decades of experiences in satisfying the hunger of the residents of greater Elizabeth because they also own and operate Eli’s Pizza Pasta (766 Trumbull St.). In creating Don Felix, the Felix family modernised the look with eight high-definition televisions and a Touchtunes jukebox. In addition, the renovation exposed the building’s original brick wall that now serves as the centrepiece of the new bar back. The family also refinished the semi-private room, which now includes memorabilia from the tavern and historic photographs of Elizabeth.
“Don Felix offers a full bar and menu that will never leave you hungry,” Dana Lemonova-Felix explained. “Our meals are in the Portuguese, Brazilian, Spanish tradition. We serve high-quality food and a lot of it. Most people will end up with two meals for each one they order because they will be taking home half of it for the next day’s lunch.”
The bar offers several signature drinks – from Passion Fruit Caipirinha (Velho Barreiro Cachaca and Passion Fruit Juice) to Becherovka (a shot of traditional Czech herb liquor). There is also a wide selection of craft beers including Goose Island IPA, Forgotten Boardwalk, Milwaukee Best and Samuel Adams Summer, Sagres, and Super Bock.
A DJ rocks the restaurant on Friday and Saturday nights. Happy hour is offered seven days a week from 4-9 p.m. During happy hour, there is wine by the glass, bottles of beer and buckets of beer and a wine spritzer – all at special prices.
Don Felix also offers dining on the patio and parties and business meetings in a special room that holds up to 10 people. A party can also be held in the restaurant’s main dining room.
“We’re trying to create an atmosphere that is comfortable on several levels,” Lemonova-Felix said. “This is a great place for a business meeting, a party or just people getting together after work. The key here is serving delicious food in a comfortable atmosphere.”
Parking - In Rear of Building
Hours:
Monday-Thursday: 11:30am-2am
Friday-Saturday: 11:30am-3am
Sunday: 12pm-2am
Live DJ Thursday through Saturday!
Happy Hour:
Every day from 4pm-9pm
Like Don Felix on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/Donfelixbar/
Follow Don Felix on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/donfelixbar/
