Rumors are wrong: Owner says Downtown Lounge likely to stay open

In the 1980s and ’90s, before Lebanon’s central business district began its gradual revival, before City Hall moved across the street, many might have said it was the only reason to come downtown.

For 45 years, the Downtown Lounge at 734 Cumberland St., owned by brothers Pat and Ed Riley, has been more than just a comfortable spot to get a burger and beer.

Sports fans loved it for its dozen or so TVs, NFL Sundays, and NCAA Final Four bashes.

It hosted live music, karaoke, air guitar and jump rope contests, trivia, even bench press competitions.

Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Fame linebacker Chuck Bednarik and a few Playboy centerfolds were even spotted there.

Fridays after work could find bankers, lawyers, teachers, and blue-collar workers mingling elbow-to-elbow in the long, narrow barroom, at high top tables and the 40-foot bar in what had once been a furniture store, then a dress shop.

The Riley brothers backed away from day-to-day operations seven years ago, and their longtime employee, Nanette Wright, has carried on since then with little outward change.

Not surprisingly, rumors that “the Lounge” was about to close have surfaced from time-to-time since then, becoming more frequent in the last year. Recently, word has spread that the place would close at the end of January.

Then, a Facebook post earlier this week by local DJ Jim Payne caused a stir when it incorrectly proclaimed “D.T.L. Farewell Customer Appreciation Party Friday 1/23/26” and invited past and present customers to stop by “for a night of celebration and reminiscing….”

But the Lounge is not closing, says its owner. If things go according to plan, it will carry on under new ownership.

Before opening up on Thursday, Jan. 8, LebTown sat down with Pat Riley at the bar that he and his brother, with the help of a local carpenter, built themselves in 1979. Riley said they have a tentative agreement to the sell the business and building to Jim, Leo, and Pep Osmanollaj, who operate several restaurants and taverns in greater Philadelphia, including Toska Restaurant and Brewery.

Business sales are never final until they’re final, but Riley said attorneys are drafting documents and he’s confident that the sale, and not the Lounge, could close by the end of January.