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Coach’s Sports Tavern Has Closed, Or Has It?

By Kenneth R. Gosselin

October 02, 2012

Coach’s Sports Tavern on Ann Street in downtown Hartford has closed, if you listen to a message on its answering machine dated Sunday.

Or has it?

John A. Dellafera, who is listed as the permittee on the bar’s liquor permit, told me today that Coach’s “hasn’t closed permanently” and that he was “in discussions as we speak” about its future.

Later in our conversation, Dellafera backed off a bit and said there was a “50/50? chance the bar would remain open. Dellafera said he would know that “in a couple of weeks.”

Dellafera pointed out that the bar is closed Monday and Tuesday. I tried another tack: Would it be open Wednesday? He declined to answer.

But what of the recorded answering machine message: “This is our last day of being open for business. After today we will close our doors for good.”

Dellafera responded: “Don’t believe everything you hear.”

Coach’s Sports Tavern opened in early 2009. It was not related to Coach’s Sports Bar & Grille, which was once associated with former University of Connecticut basketball coach Jim Calhoun.

That bar at 187 Allyn St. closed in April 2008. The space is now occupied by Black Bear Saloon.