Brunch, beer and beyond: George Street Brewing brings European style to York

George Street Brewing Company Bistro and Bar is York City's newest eatery that brings customers from day to night.

Co-owner Bill Sierra said the company — aptly named to describe its offering of coffee brews and beers — overcame some obstacles in its first month: Namely a heat wave and on-and-off-again road closures. But he's remained optimistic about the future for the bistro located at 125 N. George Street in downtown York.

"The response that we've gotten from the customers that are coming in is very positive," he said. "And it's a good indicator that we're going to have success going forward."

Despite opening during a quiet period downtown, exacerbated by a heatwave and unexpected road closures, the restaurant has garnered a positive reception from its visitors.

Sierra built the business with his life partner, Dana Harrison, and business partner, Shawn Jones. The three co-own and manage George Street Brewing Co.

The bistro offers a full breakfast and lunch menu, with service starting as early as 7 a.m. and the kitchen staying open until last call shortly before 10 p.m.

Sierra said, "A lot of the cafes in Europe have coffee in the early morning and little snacks. But then come evening time, they’re hopping with beers and wines.”

Looking ahead, the team plans to introduce tapas-style entrees to further diversify their offerings.

The story behind the bistro is one of vision and collaboration. Sierra moved to the York area in 2021, initially investing in a property on Queen Street. In April 2023, he purchased the building, now home to the bistro, which had been vacant and in need of extensive renovations.

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During this process, Sierra met Jones, who presented a business plan for a social club called the Black Box. Bill was impressed by Jones' energy and decided to partner with him. The Black Box served as a proof of concept, Sierra said, demonstrating the potential demand for a social hub in downtown York.

Encouraged by the positive feedback, Sierra, Jones, and Harrison decided to expand their vision and embarked on a comprehensive renovation of the century-old building between Thanksgiving and Christmas 2023.

The transformation was swift yet thorough, involving everything from acquiring a brewery license to sourcing unique construction materials.

One of the bistro's standout features is its bar, which is crafted from 50 feet of reclaimed wood from an unusual source.

"I want to say, I'll give somebody a free drink if they can guess what it's made out of," joked Harrison.

Sierra said he was browsing Facebook Marketplace one day and came across someone deconstructing a historic bowling alley about an hour west of York.

Sierra recalled the seller told him he could bring cash and a truck and check out what he had. "I, for some reason decided, 'You know what, I'm gonna go check this out.' So I drive out there, I get to the place and it's gigantic. It was like stepping back in time to the 1960s. And it was awesome. It was this gigantic bowling alley with all the lanes, and we struck up a deal to basically cut large chunks from the lanes and bring it back. So fabricated into the bar top. Isn't that cool?"

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Sierra said they used local contractor Steve Trott to take those bowling lane chunks and bring their vision to life."It really set the tone for the rest of the bar," Sierra said.

Jones created the black and gold color palette, and Harrison envisioned a cozy, comfortable place with natural elements.

She said Sierra and Jones created strong bones for the interior design. Then she "came along and sprinkled that feminine fairy dust around," curating the seating and decorations and creating a backdrop in the back of the dining space reading: "Find your people."

They have had recent inquiries to host private happy hours and bridal showers.

The brewery license allows the business to sell Pennsylvania beer, wine, and liquor, so the team curated a cocktail menu featuring the best local products. Signature drinks like the Lydia — named after Sierra and Harrison's daughter — reflect a commitment to quality and local craftsmanship.

The food menu is equally impressive, with fresh, high-quality options like the strawberry summer salad, avocado mango tower, and fresh burrata. "Nothing on the menu is fried." Sierra emphasized, "You can get fresh salads, sandwiches, overnight oats, yogurt parfait," and the like.

Harrison added, "Our breakfast sandwiches, made with warm biscuits, are truly mouthwatering."

As they reflect on their journey, Sierra, Harrison and Jones are proud of their achievements and excited about the future.

"We're leveraging the brewery license to offer downtown York a café, a high-end cocktail bar and a comfortable place to spend time," Bill concluded.

With their dedication to quality, community and innovation, George Street Brewing Company Bistro and Bar is poised to become a beloved fixture in downtown York City.

Current hours are Tuesday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; closed Monday.

Check out their website at georgestreetbc.com to see the full menu and for more information.

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