SweetWater Bar & Grill Grand Opening Event Tonight

SweetWater Bar & Grill, the newest Cinnaminson hotspot from the Kyrtatas family of Hathaway’s, will hold its grand opening celebration tonight.

“Every day seems to be picking up a little more,” said George Kyrtatas, co-owner and head chef. “The response has been tremendous.”

The restaurant officially opened Sept. 23, and tonight it will feature specials and live music for its grand opening.

From 6 to 10 p.m., all appetizers, draft beer and glasses of wine will be half-price. South Jersey party band Six Pack Poets will perform live.

“We’re really hoping it’s going to be a good crowd,” Kyrtatas said.

Ground broke in March on the restaurant, which features a banquet room, full bar and outdoor seating. The bar boasts 39 signature drinks, 12 draft beers, more than two dozen craft beers and about 25 wines.

Flying Fish Brewing Company, based out of Somerdale, Camden County, teamed up with SweetWater and named one of its beers after the restaurant. It’s Flying Fish’s Belgian Abbey Dubbel, but it’s called SweetWater Amber Ale at the Cinnaminson restaurant. (And it’s on tap.)

“It’s a way for a bar or restaurant to take ownership of the beer,” said Gene Muller, founder and general manager of Flying Fish. “We’re local and we like to work with local restaurants.”

SweetWater has its normal daily menu, but each day, Kyrtatas said, there are specials. For example, Kyrtatas featured grilled cheese bites with tomato soup dipping sauce on Tuesday. On Wednesday, he experimented with a beer-battered shrimp dish.

“We always have our twists,” Kyrtatas said.

The restaurant opens at 11 a.m. each day and closes at midnight during the week and 1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. There are Sunday football specials and televisions showing every football game.

“People are really loving the atmosphere,” Kyrtatas said. “People are saying Cinnaminson never had a place with this kind of vibe. To get a similar feel, they’d have to go into the city. We finally have something for them.”