Nothing is more fun than spending time with friends and family, mixing conversation with nostalgia. Adam Cocuzza, creator and co-founder of Nitro Bar in West Reading, creatively blends a little old and a little new, while also honoring a piece of Berks County history. Built in 1913, the building at 416 Penn Avenue was once the West Reading Motor and Hardware Company, a bustling automotive dealership. Years later, it became well-known as A to Z Vacuum. Today, Cocuzza has reawakened the automotive history of the space, incorporating auto-related memorabilia throughout.
Walk Into History
Step into the Nitro Bar you’re walking into a snapshot of history. As your eyes roam the walls, you’ll discover an array of Reading automotive memorabilia. A few items to take special notice of include the photos and mural of the Reading Standard Motorcycle, which was built around the time of WWI. As you look beyond the photos to the brick walls and follow the wall up to the ceiling, both are pieces of the building’s original structure from 1913. Keeping the automotive history and the essence of Reading and Berks County on the surface, Cocuzza says, “was a way for me to capture the history of the building, capture the history of the area and keep the food very historical to Berks County.”
Unique Food
Speaking of food, the Nitro Bar offers plate after plate of unique, mouthwatering items to sink your teeth into. One of the top sellers is the burger. While not anything fancy or complicated, it’s the comfort food many of us love. Cocuzza says, “It’s just a down-to-earth simple bar burger.” He adds, “We also feature a modern take on the old Berks County bar and diner items.” This spin on the menu includes a Lebanon Bologna Cheesesteak, featuring a delicious hoagie roll filled with shaved Lebanon bologna, caramelized onions, cheese sauce and a few other special add-ins. Accompany this with an ice-cold Reading Premium beer. Other great options to explore include house-pickled red beet eggs, the Dutch platter, seasonal desserts like Shoofly pie, fastnachts and more. Wednesdays feature half-off wings, and Thursday sees All-You-Can-Eat Mussels.
Delicious Drinks
Every delicious meal should be paired with an equally delicious drink. Staying true to Reading-Berks roots, local beers are served, with Reading Premium always on tap. Out of the 16 taps, six are nitro taps, creating a creamy and smooth drink texture. For the cocktail lovers, you’ll find spirits handcrafted with Nitro Bar’s own mixes and simple syrups. Let your mind drift back to the Prohibition era and enjoy a classic Manhattan, a refreshing martini or choose from a number of other satisfying options.
Whether sitting at the bar or gathered around a table with friends, be sure to take notice of the wooden surfaces. Both the bar and tables were handcrafted by our neighboring Lancaster Amish community, giving a true rustic look and feel. Another aspect to notice is the complete absence of televisions. Cocuzza shares, “We really want people to enjoy our company, enjoy each other’s company and have a proper experience.”
Fun Facts.
Nostalgic Entertainment. Have fun playing shuffleboard, an 8-bit arcade game or pick a tune on the jukebox with at least 100 vinyl records inside. Live music is featured every Tuesday night.
Environmental Commitment. In their effort to go green, no single-use plastics are used, drinks are served with paper straws, and solar panels are positioned on the roof.
