Owner of longtime Simsbury venue Hoops & Hops closes bar after 34 years, plans speakeasy called The Hideaway

Wendy Maxiudas, a member of the town selectmen and host of the local program, interviewed Steve Antonio about the closing of Hoops & Hops and his plans for a new venue called The Hideaway.

Antonio recounted his family’s restaurant history in Simsbury: “We opened up Antonio's in June 1964, and we've been here ever since.” He said Hoops & Hops evolved from a party room the family added to the restaurant and formally opened as a sports bar in 1993 to meet changing demand.

The venue later pivoted toward live music. Antonio said the bar began booking solo acoustic acts in 1994, added duos in 1995 and then electric bands, becoming a regional stop between New York and Boston for touring acts. He named acts and local musicians who played there and said the music programming helped make the bar a community destination.

Explaining why he closed Hoops & Hops, Antonio described the decision as deliberate: “The life of hoops was 34 years.” He told the program that liquor sales have fallen and cited three factors: legalization of marijuana, behavioral differences among younger, post‑COVID generations, and broader health trends. “Liquor sales… are down,” he said, and the business had been planning a new concept for about a year.

Antonio described staff arrangements and community ties that shaped the venue. He said bartenders and many employees are long‑tenured and that bar positions were typically a promotion from the restaurant floor. He also shared historical promotions — including a long-running 10¢ wings night and a spontaneous event he called the “Bladder Buster” — and showed hand‑drawn event calendars used over the years.

On the new concept, Antonio said the space will open as a speakeasy‑themed lounge with creative twists and additional revenue streams beyond alcohol, including coffee service. “It's The Hideaway,” he said. He told Wendy the menu will include espresso offerings, nitro coffee and mocktails, and that espresso martinis are likely to remain popular. He said the team initially hoped to open around Valentine’s Day but was aiming for late February or early March and would “feel safe” being open by St. Patrick’s Day.

During renovations Antonio said the team auctioned some original bar pieces and set up a temporary “pop‑up” bar in the greenhouse/front room so staff could continue working. He told winning bidders the auctioned items would be delivered and reassembled after the new bar is finished.

The interview closed with thanks and a note that Wendy will continue the 'After Hours with Wendy' series. Simsbury Community Media’s on‑screen appeal following the interview also asked viewers to consider donations to sustain local programming.

The next step is a planned reopening of the venue as The Hideaway; Antonio emphasized the concept will evolve with customer demand and declined to provide a complete design reveal in advance.