By Ivan Pereira
Tim Lorito, who opened Canz-a-Citi Roadhouse in Astoria last year, said the secret to his bar’s success is not the roadhouse decor or the 32 plasma televisions that play a variety of sports, but the way it serves customers their drinks.
As the name of the bar indicates, there are more than 150 varieties of beer sold only in cans and Lorito said that makes a huge difference in the taste of the beer.
“Canned beer is better because it is better protected,” the 32-year-old Astoria resident said. “Any beer geek would tell you there are a lot of varieties of canned beer out there.”
Lorito took this idea and used it to create a unique bar that he said stands out from the other beer joints in the area. Not only are the cans lined up for display behind the bar counter, they also adorn the overhead lamps and the tables as stylized architecture.
One of the parts of the bar that will become a hot spot during the spring and summer is Canz’s open area. The space can seat 60, the walls are lined with beer barrels and televisions and the roof is retractable.
Lorito said he wanted to give customers a fun feel where they can have a beer and a good time while catching a game.
“A lot of people come in and enjoy it,” he said.
The first Canz store opened on Long Island more than 18 months ago and, when deciding where to branch out within the five boroughs, Lorito said he went with Astoria because it was a diverse area.
More and more customers come into the bar every day to check out a new flavor of beer that they were used to in their native countries, such as the Czech Republic and other Eastern European nations. Lorito said the Queens patrons also enable for the bar to stand out.
The owner said he always listens to the customer’s needs and changes the menu, alcohol list and even sports selections to fit their tastes. A lot of customers come in to watch international sports broadcasts and UFC fights.
“Here there are a lot of people who like soccer. [On Long Island,] they prefer football,” he said.
And Lorito is no stranger to sports himself. The University of Delaware graduate played for a Detroit Tigers minor league baseball team before an injury ended his career.
He eventually got into the promotional marketing business and a few years ago he and business partner Matt Dill decided to open up their own restaurant.
Using money they saved, they opened up Canz and it was a quick and fast success.
“We shot way past our expectations,” he said.
Lorito said he hopes he can create a similar success in Queens.
Reach reporter Ivan Pereira by e-mail at ipereira@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4546.
