New sports bar planned for Biddeford
A local hospitality veteran aims to launch a new sports bar in downtown Biddeford this month.
Hakuna Matata Sports Bar is under construction at 193 Main St., former longtime home to the Adams Street Pub. Owner Bernard Katende said the phrase Hakuna Matata — popularized by the 1994 Disney film “The Lion King” — roughly translates to “no worries” in Swahili.
“If you have so many worries, at least you can come to Hakuna Matata and put them away for a minute,” said Katende, a native of Uganda who has lived in Maine for more than two decades. “I think other people will agree that we worry too much about things, and most of those things never even come to pass.”
Katende has previously run bars in Lewiston and Auburn.
Hakuna Matata will have seats for more than 60 customers, multiple TV screens, two pool tables and space for live music. Katende said the menu will offer finger food like chicken wings and sandwiches to start, but he aims to expand the food program to include regional American and international specialties that reflect the tastes of the local community. The full bar will serve cocktails, wine and local beer.
Katende hasn’t set an opening date yet, but aims to launch later in August. He expects to be open six days (closed either Monday or Tuesday) from 4 p.m. to 1 a.m.
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Tim Cebula has been a food writer and editor for 23 years. A former correspondent for The Boston Globe food section, his work has appeared in Time, Health, Food & Wine, CNN.com, and Boston magazine,. More by Tim Cebula
