Group to buy Hambone's location in Lawrenceville, promises to maintain spirit of former bar

When longtime bar Hambone’s closed down in Lawrenceville, the neighborhood lost a beloved institution known for cheap drinks, greasy food and a venue that fostered small, local acts.

Now after two years of sitting empty, a group on the verge of purchasing the space said it plans to give the bar some upgrades, but keep much of the spirit of Hambone’s intact.

Jack Welsh is co-owner of LumberjAxes, a local business with ax-throwing venues throughout the Pittsburgh area. Welsh said he and his business group have secured a liquor license transfer for the former Hambone’s location and is close to finalizing the sale of the building.

Welsh said the group plans are to remodel much of the space to create an expansive back patio, take out the center wall to open up the inside and add new bathrooms. He said he wants to move everything into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

He said the restaurant/bar will be called The Derby and offer an extensive draft list, cocktails and a small menu of smash burgers and customizable french fries.

Though the location needs considerable remodeling, Welsh said the space will maintain many traditions established by Hambone’s. He said the new restaurant plans to have open mic nights for Pittsburgh’s small but vibrant comedy and local music community.

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“We think we have a pretty clear idea to make this a successful bar and restaurant,” Welsh said. “And we want it to be a neighborhood bar.”

Welsh said the “best-case scenario” is for the new bar/restaurant to open in June 2023.

In addition to keeping some mainstays from the Hambone’s era, Welsh said he wants part of the food menu to resemble another lost Pittsburgh institution: The Original Hot Dog Shop in Oakland, also known as “The O,” which closed in 2020.

Welsh said The Derby plans to offer oversized portions of french fries, which The O was famous for, except the new Lawrenceville spot will offer diners customizable fries from different types of potatoes and cuts such as curly, crinkle and more.

“We are not changing the concept, it was always a bar and restaurant. Nothing is going to be drastic, just general stuff that a local neighborhood bar does,” Welsh said.

The business group is meeting with Lawrenceville community members on Tuesday night to present its plans.

Lawrenceville United Executive Director Dave Breingan said residents in Lawrenceville have been asking for the return of a small venue for local acts that was eliminated when Hambone’s closed. He said Hambone’s was a bar that people of all backgrounds frequented, and having a new place offering something similar would be a boon for Lawrenceville.

Welsh said he is looking forward to joining the Lawrenceville community.

“I think it is going to be an awesome location and the bar has some great history,” he said. “We are excited to be going down there.”