New sports bar Manny’s set to open Friday

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- A new elevated sports bar in South Bend, Manny's, will officially open this Friday, August 1st, from 4 p.m. - 1 a.m.

With a watch lounge including a 165" TV, dart boards, and a billiard room, the space has transformed from it’s previous occupant, The Garage Arcade and Bar.

“When they decided to shut down earlier this year, we thought, you know, it might be a good opportunity for us to come in and open Manny’s… I don’t think that there’s been what we would consider a, you know, sports bar that’s focused on watching sports downtown since Buffalo Wild Wings left downtown many years ago, so that’s kind of the main differentiator,” said Riley Ellingsen, co-owner of Manny’s.

The bar will have a classic American based food menu, while the food truck Yada Yada Empanada will take a permanent spot on the patio, bringing a Latin twist to the menu.

Frank Perri, a real estate developer who opened The Lauber six years ago, is the other co-owner. He’s owned the building Manny’s is in for about 10 years. His step-daughter, Hanna Osthiner-Studt, said the name came from a special place.

“Manny was our beloved family dog, he passed in… I think it was around 2020 in Covid… we rescued him from Dowagiac and he was a little black lab mix and he always has a smile on his face, he was a friend to everyone, it was really special at the soft opening last night to see so many faces that knew Manny,” said Osthiner-Studt.