Where to Eat During Erie's Total Solar Eclipse
Monday Mar 25th, 2024
Just as important as where to watch the eclipse is where to eat while you're in Erie for the eclipse. As the 2024 total solar eclipse approaches, Erie's restaurants, breweries, wineries, and distilleries plan on featuring creative cosmic-inspired bites and out-of-this-world crafted beverages, and many restaurants are opening special on a Monday to welcome eclipse visitors.
For all restaurants, reservations are highly encouraged. Unless otherwise noted, the hours listed below reflect Monday, April 8 only. This blog will be updated frequently.
Restaurants in the City of Erie and Bayfront
6 Pack House of Beer: This specialty beer store with a fun food twist will offer a zesty “eclipse of the wing” sauce flavor option on its menu. Open 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Altered State Distillery: Stop by the main facility or head across the street to their table at Frontier Park! Altered State is serving its regular craft beverage menu at the main facility and a special solar eclipse cocktail and batch cocktails at Frontier Park’s “Park Side of the Moon” watch party. Open noon to 10 p.m. (main facility), Noon to 5 p.m. at Frontier Park.
Bay House Oyster Bar and Restaurant: Will be serving its regular menu and pouring pints of Total Eclipse Schwarzbier Black Lager, a unique, deep, black lager with hints of roast malt, giving it a coffee-like aroma and taste without the bitterness highlights. Walk-ins only, no reservations. Open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Black Monk Brewery: Free eclipse glasses and moon pies will be distributed (while supplies last). The “Dunkel Side of the Moon” dark German lager with 5.5%ABV will be available in cans or on draft. Open noon to 8 p.m.
The Brewerie at Union Station: Free eclipse glasses will be given out to the first 250 customers, live entertainment from noon to 2 p.m., eclipse lunch features, and “Dark Days Eclipse Beer” on tap. Open 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Calamari’s Squid Row: Along with its extensive regular menu, Calamari’s will offer an Erie-themed buffet that will include a Smith's hotdog bar complete with toppings such as Erie’s own zesty Greek sauce, ox roast sliders, pepperoni balls, Calamari’s famous artichoke dip, and a four-cheese mac & cheese dish. There will also be special drink features such as "Blackout Punch" and "Darkside of the Moon", a Guinness and Blue Moon beer combination. Outside patio seating is by reservation only. Reservations for inside are highly recommended. Open 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.
The Cork 1794: On eclipse day, The Cork will feature a limited food menu of an appetizer (sweet crab corn cake, entrée (blackberry mustard pork shank served with cipollini onion, garlic mustard greens, and smashed purple carrots), and moon pie cake for dessert. A limited eclipse drink menu is available with creations such as the Blackout Martini (empress gin, triple sec, lemon juice, blackberry simple syrup, squid ink), Midnight Mojito (Cruzan rum, lime juice, blueberry simple syrup, mint leaves, squid ink, topped with soda water), and a Lunar Lemonade mocktail (blueberry simple syrup, mint leaves, lemonade, topped with soda). Reservations are strongly recommended.
Open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Donatos Pizza: (Greengarden Plaza Location) Eclipse special pizza deal! Buy any large pizza and get a free medium one topping pizza free. You must use code ECLIPSE for online orders. Reservations are accepted for onsite dining.
Open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Erie Ale Works: Full draft list, cocktails and mocktails will be available along with food from Taquiera Montes tacos and burritos food truck. Eclipse goodie bags will be given out to the first 30 guests. Open noon to 5 p.m.
Erie Distillery: Open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Federal Hill Smokehouse: Normally not open on Sundays, Federal Hill will open its doors to offer mouth-watering barbecue off of the regular menu from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (or earlier if food sells out). Walk-ins only, no reservations.
Open Monday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. or earlier if food sells out.
Flagship City Food Hall: All vendors will be open, with some offering eclipse day specials:
- Ippa Pizza Napoletana: The “Total Eclipse” specialty pizza will be offered April 5-8. Topped with a large Earth-sized meatball, a smaller moon meatball and a burrata cheese bomb representing the sun, this flavorful masterpiece is a feast for the eyes and your stomach!
Open April 5-6 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., April 7 noon to 7 p.m. and Monday April 8 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Jersey Mikes: Will be open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Julius: Get ready for an outside parking lot party with music and authentic Mexico City street food. Enjoy Antojitos (tacos, quesadillas, tostados, gorditas, and sopes), Tacos de Guisados (a variety of stew-filled tacos), and Tortas (sandwiches). Dinner will be served from its regular menu inside Julius from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Minimum $10 purchase includes free parking. Open 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Lavery Brewing Company: A new beer collaboration crafted with The Simons Foundation called “In the Path of Totality”, a Czech dark lager, will be available on draft and in cans. Lavery’s kitchen will feature its regular menu selections. Open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Pier 6 Rooftop Bar & Restaurant: Pier 6 is opening early for the season to celebrate the eclipse! Serving its regular menu and pouring pints of Total Eclipse Schwarzbier Black Lager, a unique, deep, black lager with hints of roast malt, giving it a coffee-like aroma and taste without the bitterness highlights. Walk-ins only, no reservations. Open April 5-8 from 11 a.m. to undetermined.
Pineapple Eddie Southern Bistro: Although not open on Monday, Pineapple Eddie WILL be open on Sunday April 7 featuring its regular menu, daily to be determined specials, the Blackberry Smash solar eclipse cocktail and house-made chocolate blackout cake. Reservations are accepted but not required. Open noon to 8 p.m.
Purrista Cat Café: In addition to discounted cat lounge visits, Purrista will feature specialty eclipse-themed drinks, “Feline Shady” t-shirts and decals, and a 24-ounce color-changing tumbler that can be filled with your favorite coffee or tea. Open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Rita’s Downtown Italian Ice: Open noon to 10 p.m.
Rum Runners: Will be open for the season during eclipse weekend featuring specialty eclipse drinks and shots along with its regular food menu. Open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The Shoreline Bar & Grill at the Courtyard Erie Bayfront Hotel: Food and drinks will be available for hotel guests and walk-ins throughout the day inside and on the outside patio. Eclipse drink specials will be served in custom eclipse-branded glassware. The Elliot Road band will perform on the outdoor patio from 2-5 p.m. Open 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The Sloppy Duck Saloon/JR’s on the Bay: Throughout eclipse weekend The Sloppy Duck will feature drink and food specials, live music outside, and over 21 karaoke inside. Reserved table packages for upper and lower deck seating are available (overlooking Presque Isle Bay) along with Tiki Huts in their outdoor Tiki Village. Open walk-in seating is available indoors. Full details on viewing packages, pricing, and reservation instructions can be accessed here. Monday Tiki Bar opens at 11 a.m. $5 cover includes eclipse glasses for the first 300 people.
Underdog BBQ: Open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Voodoo Brewery: Voodoo is holding a special watch party from their outdoor patio beginning at 11 a.m. A specialty eclipse yellow cocktail with black ice spheres, eclipse food specials and viewing glasses (while supplies last) will be featured. Open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Restaurants in East County
Arundel Cellars and Brewing: A special glitter bomb cider and “Star Watcher” beer (chocolate vanilla porter) will be available on tap, as well as live music from 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. Open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The Bean Coffee House: Featuring several eclipse-themed drinks such as the Solar City Macchiato featuring Torani's Galaxy Syrup (raspberry and rum flavors) paired with white chocolate and vanilla, and Zodiac-themed refresher drinks. Each drink features the fruit associated with that zodiac sign plus a complimentary fruit flavor and lotus energy concentrate. Choose from: Aries (pineapple/passion fruit), Taurus (grape/mint), Gemini (lemon/lime), Cancer (white peach/raspberry), Leo (mango/dragon fruit), Virgo (apple/kiwi), Libra (strawberry/blueberry) Scorpio (black cherry/vanilla), Sagittarius (banana/coconut), Capricorn (cherry/lime), Aquarius (blood orange/melon), and Pieces (watermelon/blackberry). Open 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Donatos Pizza: Eclipse special pizza deal! Buy any large pizza and get a free medium one topping pizza free. You must use code ECLIPSE for online orders. Reservations are accepted for onsite dining.
Both the East 38th Street and Buffalo Road locations will be open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on eclipse day.
Five & 20 Spirits & Brewing: Yard games and merch giveaways all day with live music from noon to 6 p.m. Food from 3C’s Catering food truck will be on-site from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. featuring an eclipse-themed menu. Those with Lake Erie Wine Country “Lights Out” tickets will have access to a designated seating area. Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Nostrovia Brewing: Eclipse Experience Parking Lot Party (limited space), featuring smoked pulled pork sandwiches, and their Black and Tan beer. Guests will receive free viewing glasses (while supplies last). Open at 10 a.m.
Rosco’s Sports Bar & Grill: Serving its regular menu. Reservations are accepted but not required.
Open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The Skunk & Goat Tavern: In addition to offering its regular menu, The Skunk & Goat will feature eclipse specials for lunch and dinner. Mercury red pepper bisque, Neptune seared scallops, sun burnt baby back ribs, and asteroid pie or Milky Way tiramisu for dessert. Their limited drink menu is a star-studded lineup: Midnight Mule (vodka, house made blackberry syrup, lime juice, ginger beer), Eclipse-tini (coffee liqueur, vanilla vodka, house made espresso mix), the Bonnie Tyler (gin, plum liqueur, butterfly tea, lemon, house made berry syrup, tonic), a Cosmic-politan (vodka, triple sec, lime, house made blueberry syrup), Solar Sour (Elijah Craig, egg white, lemon, lime, simple syrup, wine float), and the Blackout Lemonade mocktail (house made mixed berry syrup, lemon, soda water). Reservations are strongly recommended. Open 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Restaurants along Route 6 and Southern Regions
Before the Barrel Distillery: Add a little kick to your eclipse experience with a shot of “Shine of the Moon” maple bacon-flavored moonshine. Other specialty cocktails will also be available. Open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Corner Bar & Grillz: Featuring a "totality wing sauce" and a special Moonjito cocktail. Live music will all weekend and on eclipse day. Reservations recommended. Open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
KC’s Xpress: In addition to KC’s regular menu of wood-fired pizzas, subs, and calzones, special eclipse ice cream desserts will be featured on April 8. Open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Luckie Louie’s Beer & Wieners: Will be offering a special eclipse hot dog (to be named soon) and selling Lucky Louie’s eclipse t-shirts. Open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Riverside Brewing Company: Ticketed eclipse watch party with buffet, live music, special beer can release “Celestial Energy”, and viewing glasses (while supplies last). Celestial Energy t-shirts will be available for purchase. Ticket options are here. Open 1 to 7 p.m.
Poverty Knob Farmhouse Ales at Port Farms: As part of Port Farms “Eclipse on the Farm” event, Poverty Knob will feature the “Eclipse Flight”: Four ounce pours of Saison DuPort, Maize Runner, Attack of the Marzens, and Midnight Lager. Their specialty cocktails include: the Galactic Lemonade Cocktail, a bright fusion of strawberry lemonade moonshine, lemonade, edible glitter and purple pigment. For a non-alcoholic option, the Galactic Lemonade mocktail is crafted with lemonade, edible glitter and purple pigment. Eclipse-themed food specials will also be available. Eclipse on the Farm, including admission to Poverty Knob, is a ticketed event. Open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Sunset Grill at Edinboro Lake Resort: Offering a limited solstice menu of food and drink. No reservations are being accepted, walk-ins only, first-come, first-served. Live music from noon to 5 p.m. Open noon to 7 p.m.
Restaurants Near Upper Peach Street
Jersey Mikes: Open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
John Russell Brewing Company: Along with its regular menu, John Russell will feature its special “Total Eclipse” beer on tap. A completely black Schwartz beer with a 5.2% ABV, this is a unique, deep, black lager with hints of roast malt, giving it a coffee-like aroma and taste without the bitterness highlights. Open noon to 8 p.m.
Storming Crab: Try Stroming Crab's speciality Eclipse cocktail, Blackout. Open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Restaurants in West County
The Que Abides Pit Stop: Serving a limited menu on eclipse day. Reservations are accepted but not required. The back patio will be open for eclipse viewing and if weather permits, dining. Open noon to 5 p.m.
Sara's Restaurant: A staple of Erie's summer scene opens for the season April 1! Located at the entrance to Presque Isle State Park, Sara's is known for its funky aesthetic and classic diner food. Dine on their many picnic tables, or take your order to go to the beach. Open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Twisted Elk Brewery: Open noon to 7 p.m.