The owners of the Blue on Highland in Needham have taken over The Biltmore Bar & Grille in Newton, and they’ve given it a new look and a new name, The Biltmore Tavern. Photo by Celine Hijazi.
The Biltmore, a fixture of Newton’s nightlife for generations, is getting ready for a new era.
The transition started last summer when the owners of the Biltmore Bar & Grille—Newton’s oldest bar—started looking for new owners. Good N U Hospitality and David Rosenberg reached out to the owners of the Needham restaurant Blue on Highland last summer about potentially taking over day-to-day operations and becoming new majority owners of the Biltmore.
“Blue on Highland team Scott Drago and his family are local restaurateurs, and the owner wanted a great partner with an incredible food background and a great eye for detail to rehab the restaurant and run the day to day of the new Biltmore Tavern,” said Alex Tamargo, Good N U’s chief operating officer.
The pair, Drago and Adam Patti, are now renovating the restaurant and plan to reopen it in May under a new name, The Biltmore Tavern.
The changes in the restaurant—such as shortened hours—reflect a larger shift in the restaurant industry brought on by the pandemic that Drago plans on addressing.
“Before COVID, the Biltmore was an industry spot—restaurant workers would come in late for drinks,” Drago said. “After COVID, that changed as businesses started closing earlier.”
The Biltmore Bar & Grille has been renamed The Biltmore Tavern, and the name change comes with a new look. Photo by Celine Hijazi.
As the oldest operating bar in Newton, preserving its legacy is central to the renovation. Its history stretches back to the Whittemore Tavern of the 1700s and later to its days as a 1920s speakeasy, Drago said, making it a space where generations of Newton residents have gathered and unwound.
“We’re renaming it The Biltmore Tavern to give it an upscale tavern feel with 1920s inspiration, things like period-style lighting fixtures and wallpaper with metallic tones reflecting that era,” Drago said.
Indeed, the interior still feels rustic, now enhanced by thoughtful cosmetic updates that bring a more upscale, lively aesthetic. The wood floors have been redone, retaining their classic creak underfoot. Small details reinforce the space’s industrial character, from gear-inspired chandeliers to a large marquee-style Biltmore sign reminiscent of vintage cinema façades.
One of the most expected consequences of renovating such a historic spot is simple: complaints.
Drago, however, has anticipated both the criticism and affection tied to the venue.
“There’s always some resistance to change,” Drago said. “The Biltmore needed an update. It was dated… We’ve seen mixed reactions, especially from longtime patrons. But there’s also a lot of excitement, particularly from our Blue customers.”
The Biltmore Bar & Grille has been renamed The Biltmore Tavern, and the name change comes with a new look. Photo by Celine Hijazi.
Despite this, Drago’s changes to the Biltmore Tavern are predominantly aesthetic, with classic tavern food still a permanent fixture of the location.
“It’ll be upscale tavern fare but still casual—burgers, pizza, salads—similar to Blue but with a twist,” Drago said. “We’ll use the same high-quality ingredients but vary toppings and presentation. It’s meant to be a neighborhood spot where people can grab a great burger and a craft beer.” The bar will feature 24 beers on tap, primarily local craft options, he said.
Locals say they are excited about the neighborhood spot reopening.
“Our clients used to love the place,” said Lauren Ash, an employee at M. Castelli Studio, a hair salon next door.
“We used to love the food there like the fries and hot wings,” said the salon’s owner, Melyssa Castelli.
Even with its updates, the goal, Drago said, is still for the space to remain what it has always been: a neighborhood bar where Newton residents can gather over drinks, music and food.