Speakeasy proposed next to popular Italian restaurant in Sewickley

A new drinking establishment has been proposed next to Mambo Italia in Sewickley.

Sarah Free, a part-time manager at the popular restaurant at 424 Broad St., plans to open up her own speakeasy in the same building in February.

The Seven Fields resident made her pitch to borough council as part of a liquor license transfer request on Sept. 9.

She said her side of the site is about 2,200 square feet and could seat about 50 people.

It would serve craft cocktails, wine and select beers, as well as some light appetizers and pizza.

Free said the place still needs a lot of interior work. Its name was not released as of press time.

The license would be transferred from a business in Bethel Park’s Village Square Shopping Center to Sewickley.

Council unanimously approved the transfer via 8-0 vote. Councilwoman Linda Solecki was absent.

Free’s attorney, Vince Restauri, assisted with the request. He said after the meeting that the transfer still needs approval by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board.

Council President Cynthia Mullins said she is excited about having a new business in the borough.

“Sewickley continues to draw an appetizing and diverse restaurant trade,” Mullins said Sept. 10. “Our offerings now are really wonderful and diverse. Twenty-five years ago, when we moved here, there were just four or five restaurants.

“Since then, we have attracted Lula, Mediterra, Mambo Italia, Vivo, Caliente, Slippery Mermaid, Sewickley Quarter, Arogoz, Moonlit Burger, Bridgeside Market, Press House and Tu Y Yo (Cafe) and several others.”

Mullins also noted she would like to see borough zoning and building code officer Joe Motznik inspect the new business to ensure it conforms to all related borough ordinances before opening.

Love of borough business

Free said she fell in love with Sewickley while working in the borough. She served as the branch manager for Citizens Bank in Sewickley for nearly six years before joining S&T Bank as a sales coach in May 2023. She also joined Mambo and worked at the former 424 Walnut a couple of years ago.

“I love that people can come to a safe area and walk around,” said Free, 41. “There are the shops. There are other restaurants, other bars, other places to visit. It’s not a super crowded town to walk in, either. It’s a cute, quaint little town, and I love that.”

She developed customer service skills working in the restaurant industry, growing up in Traverse City, Mich. She moved to Pennsylvania about eight years ago.

“Throughout my years, I’ve always been drawn back into this industry in some capacity, whether it be serving when I was in college or bartending here and there every once in a while. My background is in customer service and I love that. I think it ties both the restaurant aspect and what I do now with my job as a sales coach into opening a speakeasy.”

Free said she plans to work with a local mixologist to come up with some specialty drinks and get input on local breweries for possible partnerships.

Mambo Italia owner Joe Piccirilli said Free’s new establishment replaces a small, private cigar bar that was closed in June in preparation for the new venture.

He praised Free’s customer service skills and is excited for her future business.

“I think it’s great,” Piccirilli said. “It helps us because we’ve been having a great following coming in from Cranberry, Fox Chapel, Shadyside, that once they come here, there’s no place to go pre- and post-Mambo. We’re trying to keep them here for a nice, exclusive, comfortable (experience).

“I think she’s going to be great for the mere fact that she already works with people every day. She knows how to deal with the public. She has a good demeanor, good attitude.

“That’s what you need to be successful in business.”