ITHACA NY, DECEMBER 17, 2021 — The Downtown Ithaca Alliance (DIA) celebrated Ithaca Ale House’s new location, growth, and 15th anniversary during a ceremony held Thursday at the restaurant.
Last month, Ithaca Ale House opened its new spot on East State Street inside of City Centre, one of Ithaca’s newest mixed-use developments, a short walk from the Commons. The restaurant and bar were previously located just down the road on Aurora Street.

“We’re definitely glad to be in this new location, and we’re excited about our future. I thank my incredible staff and everyone else who helped to make this possible. The restaurant is opened now, so we encourage everyone to come to check it out,” says John O’Leary, owner of Ithaca Ale House.

At 5,300 square feet, Ithaca Ale House’s new location is double the size of its previous site. The additional space allows for numerous new features: separate dining and bar areas, outdoor seating in front of the restaurant, uncovered patio space in the back with an exclusive firepit lounge area, and a 25-person party room with A/V equipment for business meetings, private parties, and other small group gatherings. Each of these spots in Ale House’s laid-back atmosphere is perfect for guests to enjoy the restaurant’s signature burgers, sandwiches, flatbreads, and rotating craft beers selection, wines, and liquors.

“The Ithaca Ale House has become a community institution. This expansion, put together during the pandemic, is a testament to this businesses’ hard work and persistence. The results are incredible — indoor and outdoor space that will be a gathering place for Ithacans and visitors for years to come,” says Gary Ferguson, DIA executive director.

Ashley Cake, DIA Board of Directors president and co-owner of the Watershed, adds “The Ithaca Ale House is such an important restaurant and bar in our community. It makes our nightlife extremely vibrant. We are so happy to see it reopened and looking better than ever.”

City of Ithaca Mayor Svante Myrick was unable to attend Thursday’s ribbon-cutting ceremony, but he provided the DIA with these remarks, “For years The Ithaca Ale House has been one of the best places to find great burgers, warm service, and an excellent atmosphere. Their decision to not just remain downtown — but expand downtown — is great news for Ithacans and their guests. I’m grateful for their investment, and can’t wait to have another burger in their big, beautiful new space.

Ithaca Ale House joins several downtown businesses that have expanded in recent history. Hair Color Art, and Adrina Dietra moved to bigger locations in Pressbay and Lucky Hare Brewing Company grew its existing site in Press Bay, Breathe grew when it acquired 15 STEPS and 15 STEPS expanded its shop to include Home Cooking Ithaca and a culinary and craft-making classroom space in its shop on the Commons, Comics for Collectors moved to a bigger location on West State Street after also expanding its previous spot on Aurora Street, Sunny Days of Ithaca moved to a larger location on the Commons and expanded further when it opened IthacaN Flea Market, Fibers and Ithacamade moved to a larger spaces in the Dewitt Mall, Waffle Frolic grew its existing restaurant, Tompkins Trust Company grew when it had a 110,000 square-foot building constructed for its headquarters across from its previous location on Seneca Street, The Hotel Ithaca added five-story, to its existing site on Cayuga Street, and Lou’s Street Food and Adam Grill grew by moving their street cart businesses into the food court in Center Ithaca.

For more information about these and other downtown businesses, visit downtownithaca.com or email info@downtownithaca.com.