Good sports gather for bar launch
A NEW sports bar launched in Ipswich aims to combine Italian fine dining with a feast of sports entertainment.
Bar Sportivo kicked off last week in the town’s Great Colman Street. It has teamed up with La Galleria Italian restaurant, which opened two years ago, to provide a relaxed, sports-orientated venue for lovers of the Beautiful Game.
The bar, below, is run by Daine Lomas, whose father, ex-Ipswich Town footballer Mark Lomas is a silent partner in the venture, while above, diners can enjoy Italian fine dining under La Galleria proprietor Nello Staiano.
Memorabilia from Mark Lomas, who forged a new career as a solicitor and businessman after retiring from football, adorns the walls. Mr Lomas senior got to know Mr Staiano when he became one of his law clients.
“We thought integrating a smart lounge/sports bar with an Italian restaurant with fine dining would be a good idea,” said Mr Lomas. “It promises to be an exciting new venture aimed at those who want to watch sport in a comfortable, relaxed venue with choices of light bite food coupled withfine dining offered by Nello.
“Continuing with the excellent service that Nello has provided since opening, we will be offering table service throughout the World Cup.”
Mr Lomas, now 47, who has kept in contact with many people from his footballing days, said when he was looking for somewhere to watch football matches, he found there was nowhere he felt comfortable going.
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He believes there is a gap in the market in Ipswich for a venture such as theirs and says he wants to attract men, women and families to the sports-oriented venue.
