See the dark side of the moon at Erie bars and restaurants in the path of totality

Unless you've been under a rock, you've probably heard there's a special celestial event on the way, known as a total solar eclipse. It's something you might not see again, and thousands of people are traveling to Erie to get a glimpse of the show. Nature has decided to offer relatively few others.

Restaurants and bars around town are trying to be ready for anything, and some are planning special events and drinks and menus and bands and lots of other fun stuff to make the most of the day. If you dare leave the house, there's plenty of fun to be had in this list. If we left off your favorite, please let us know and we'll get it added right away. After all, this isn't something we'll likely experience ever again.

Red Letter Hospitality

The Cork 1794, 900 West Erie Plaza, and Skunk & Goat Tavern, 17 W. Main St., North East, will feature a special solar eclipse menu starting on April 5 and running through April 8. Reservations are encouraged. For the Cork, visit https://cork1794.com/reservations/ or call 814-651-0332. For Skunk & Goat Tavern, visit https://skunkandgoattavern.com/reservations/ or call 814-347-9078.

Que Abides

6990 West Lake Road, Fairview. Que Abides will be open with a limited menu on April 8. Eclipse observation glasses will be available for the first 25 RSVPs, and the patio will be open. It has a direct sightline of the sun during the time of day when the eclipse will take place (approximately 3 p.m.). The Que Abides food truck will also be at Park Side of the Moon in Frontier Park.

John Russell Brewing Co.

7520 Peach St., Suite 101. The U Pick 6 Brew House is offering a special beer in honor of the eclipse. The Total Eclipse Schwarzbier Black Lager is a unique, deep, black lager with a clean, smooth, drinkable profile with hints of roast malt. It has a coffee-like aroma and taste without the bitterness highlights. For more information, visit facebook.com/johnrussellbrewingco or call 814-866-2337.

Eclipse events: It's totally happening April 8 in Erie, Pa. Check out these solar eclipse viewing events.

Oasis Pub

3122 West Lake Road. The Oasis Pub patio will put on solar eclipse party starting at 11:30 a.m. April 8 with themed cocktails, music and grub. For information, visit bit.ly/OasisEclipse.

Lavery Brewing Co.

128 W. 12th St., Unit 101. Lavery will host a viewing event complete with live music from Paul Joseph and beer created in partnership with the Simons Foundation. April 8, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/43rV10p or call 814-454-0405.

Eclipse events: It's totally happening April 8 in Erie, Pa. Check out these solar eclipse viewing events.

Oliver's Beer Garden

130 E. Front St. Oliver's Beer Garden's Solar Sips Eclipse Party starts at 11 a.m. and features DJ Josh spinning tunes all day long. Try out the new Bayfront Mini Golf and order from the food menu on Oliver's Food Truck. $20 entry fee. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/3TsvOyd.

Voodoo Brewery

101 Boston Store Place. Voodoo is hosting an eclipse-watching party starting at 11 a.m. April 8, from its patio. They will have a special cocktail, menu, and eclipse glasses while supplies last. More details to come. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/36z2xhvj or call 814-520-6990.

5 & 20 Brewing

8398 W. Main Road, Westfield, N.Y. 3 C's Food Truck will be on hand at 5 & 20, while Doug Phillips will also be providing background entertainment from noon until 6 p.m. To ensure a viewing spot and NASA-authorized viewing glasses, get a ticket for the weekend-long Lake Erie Wine Country "Lights Out!" Eclipse Event, with 21 participating wineries at lake-erie-wine-country-lights-out.ticketbud.com. Space will be limited for non-ticketholders, and 5 & 20 does not take reservations.

Lake Erie Wine Country

The "Lights Out!" Eclipse Event will feature food and wine pairings at 21 wineries. Order tickets at Get tickets at https://tinyurl.com/9jxn3c5u. Pick them up at your host winery, where you will receive instructions for your return on Monday to view the eclipse. Your ticket provides you with three days (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) to enjoy all 21 LEWC wineries. Each one will be offering an eclipse-themed food item along with three additional tastings. On Monday, return to your host winery to receive your NASA-authorized eclipse viewing glasses.

Colony Pub & Grille

2670 W 8th St. Blackout over The Colony Pub & Grille party scheduled for April 8 starting at 11 a.m. with patio seating available. Event will include food and drink specials and live music. For more information, visit facebook.com/ColonyPub or call 814-838-2162.

Flagship City Food Hall

22 N. Park Row. Inside the food hall, Ippa Pizza will be transformed into a total eclipse party zone, including special food and drinks at participating kitchens and eclipse-viewing and glasses available across the street at Perry Square.

Sloppy Duck Saloon

726 W. Bayfront Pkwy. Sloppy Duck has a full eclipse weekend planned with live music, food and drink. The weekend wraps up Monday, when the Tiki bar opens at 10 a.m. Reign Maker performs live under the Tiki Tent from 1 to 5 p.m. and a $5 cover includes eclipse glasses for the first 300 people. Reserved table packages for decks overlooking the bay and Tiki huts are for pre-paid reservations only. There's open walk-in seating in other areas as well. For more information, visit tinyurl.com/bdzdd286 or call 814-452-6699.

The Brewerie at Union Station

123 W. 14th St. "Dark Day" Eclipse Party at The Brewerie on April 8 starts at 11:30 a.m. and includes live entertainment inside from noon to 2:30 p.m., release of Black-Out Berry Ale and free eclipse glasses for the first 250 customers. Lunch features and commemorative merch also will be available. There will be a party in the park at 2 p.m. with FEED Media Art Center and trivia, music, a science talk, artist projects, projections and the eclipse at Griswold Park. For more information, visit brewerie.com/upcoming-events.html#info or call 814-454-2200.

Rathskellar Cafe

2306 State St. Eclipse Day at the Dark Sol Cafe will open at 1 p.m. and will feature live music from 4 to 8 p.m. For more information, visit tinyurl.com/bdzxcurv or call 814-790-5951.

Peek'n Peak Resort

1405 Olde Road, Clymer, New York. The Peek's April 8 event will include a viewing party on the lodge deck starting at noon. Visitors can enjoy our fire pits, music, and drinks from the J Bar while observing the eclipse. Hotel guests will have their choice of six viewing locations. Guests are also invited to the Blue Moon After Party at Bistro 210 starting at 4 p.m. including drinks, Blue Moon specials, food, live music and dancing. For more information, visit facebook.com/peeknpeak, or call 716-355-4141.

Solar eclipse 2024: Erie is in path of totality. Here's what to know

Port Farms & Poverty Knob

2055 Stone Quarry Road, Waterford. Port Farms and its new on-site brewery will be hosting an eclipse-themed viewing event featuring family-friendly live music, food, drinks and more beginning April 5. The weekend culminates April 8 as totality begins on the farm at 3:16 p.m. and ends at 3:19 p.m. The farm is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; brewery is open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Festivities include the following:

• Attractions included with admission: Goats, ropes course, jumping pillows, slides, ball zones, game garden, barnyard fort and tire fort.

• Eclipse-themed beer flights available at Poverty Knob Farmhouse Ales.

• Live music: Mayflower Hill in the Events Barn, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Acoustic by Claire Stuczynski in the brewery, 2 to 5 p.m.

• DJ Razz on front porch stage, noon to 4 p.m.

• Food will be available to purchase from Jerry’s Smokehouse & Grill and Harvest Barn Café.

• Food trucks will be on hand, including Marty's Nacho Mama, Pgh Crepes and Cousins Maine Lobster.

• Warming stations (campfires) will be located throughout the farm.

• Eclipse-themed merch will be available to purchase.

For information, visit https://bit.ly/4ckSZDg, or call 814-796-4500.

Contact Jennie Geisler at [email protected]. Or at 814-870-1885. 

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Erie restaurants, bars in eclipse's path of totality plan events