Former 120 Tavern to Reopen as Hoyle's This Fall

A new restaurant called Hoyle's Kitchen + Bar is to open next month in Marietta.  The restaurant, located at 1440 Roswell Road, not far from The Big Chicken, will be familiar to some as having most recently been known as the 120 Tavern & Music Hall.  

The 120 Tavern opened in 2012 and closed this past January.  Before the 120, the space operated as Sidelines Sports Bar & Grill.  The freestanding, approximately 15,000 square foot building first operated as an A&P grocery store.  A&P, of course, is long gone from Atlanta and nearly extinct as a company.

Restaurant industry veteran David Smedlund was brought on by owners and cousins Sam and Joe Ivey to be the restaurant's general manager.  Smedlund, a Brookhaven resident and Atlanta local, most recently helped manage Jefe's Tacos & Tequila in TOWN Brookhaven, but has opened or helped managed about a dozen restaurants in Atlanta over the years.  Smedlund has held managerial jobs at Nan Thai Fine Dining, BLT Steak, Aqua Blue and nearly all of the now defunct Here to Serve Restaurants concepts.

Smedlund describes Hoyle's as a "sports bar with a twist," adding that it will share some elements and offerings with Westside hotspot Ormsby's.  

'The idea of Hoyle's was born decades ago with our ancestor, Hoyle Ivey – a politician, rabble rouser, and founder of the first farm to storefront experiences here in Georgia. His spirit for good times and great food inspired his namesake kitchen and bar. This is Hoyle's."

George Hoyle Ivey, the late grandfather of Sam and Joe, owned the A&P property for many years.  Mr. Ivey was a real estate developer after World War II and left his mark on facilities such as local hospitals and Air Force bases.  Mr. Ivey was also one of the founders of the Fulton County Chamber of Commerce and was a MARTA board member for over two decades.  Mr. Ivey passed away in early 2014 at the age of 92.

The restaurant's logo includes "Established 1833" which is meant to  refer to Mr. Ivey being a sixth generation descendant of Hardy Ivy, who was reportedly the first permanent settler of Atlanta in 1833.  

Hoyle's overall theme is "Sports, Games + Good Times."   The restaurant will feature bocce ball and pool tables with a separate game room in the back and a putting green on the expanded front patio. 

The 120 Tavern when it was in business last fall

Hoyle's will be helmed by Gwinnett county native Zach Starr, who was most recently Executive Chef at Savannah's The Ordinary Pub.   Among the offerings on the southern inspired, inventive, yet approachable menu, will be house-made tater tots and a quality burger, made from locally sourced ingredients.  

Hoyle's will reportedly feature about 20 draft beers, including Marietta's own Treehorn Cider.  There will be also be two wines on tap.  

Smedlund tells me the restaurant will be open for lunch and dinner seven days a week with lunch entrees expected to be $10 and under, and dinner entrees in the high teens to low $20 range.  There are also plans to offer a "late night menu"
from 10pm until midnight.

Only about 9,000 square feet of the building is currently being used for the restaurant with the remaining 6,000 square feet expected to be a new private/banquet dining venue next year.  

Given the restaurant's location between East Cobb and the Marietta Square and not far from I-75, Cobb Parkway and SunTrust Park, the owners are hopeful that their elevated bar menu will appeal to a wide variety of diners.  Although nearby business Harry's Farmers Market is closing on October 5th, a new 11 theater Studio Movie Grill, with nearly 1,300 seats, is expected to open adjacent to Harry's in November.  

Smedlund tells ToNeTo Atlanta that the goal is to have Hoyle's open October 22, the same night the Falcons will face off with the Patriots in New England. 

Are you excited for the opening of another local restaurant option in Marietta?  Does the idea of house-made tater tots excite you?  What other upscale bar food would you like to see on the menu at Hoyle's?

Please share your thoughts below 

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