Sports pub opens next to Mastoris Diner, fixture in area for 50 years
By Anthony V. Coppola, Staff Writer
BORDENTOWN TOWNSHIP — Brothers Alex and Michael Mastoris have taken the family restaurant business one step further with the opening of Alstarz Sports Pub, located next to Mastoris Diner at Routes 130 and 206.
The $7 million endeavor, according to Michael Mastoris, is designed to allow people to enjoy a comfortable dining experience while still being exposed to the overall pub atmosphere.
And Alstarz is a sports fans dream. The 9,200-square-foot pub features over 20 high-definition TVs, equipped with Direct TV satellite service, suspended from walls throughout the restaurant, including bathrooms. Dining outside is also an option since Alstarz boasts a 1,500-square-foot patio complete with 12 heaters.
”We cater to the young crowd, but if you come in on Saturdays or Sundays you’ll see a lot of families too,” Michael Mastoris said. “We really want to be a family restaurant. That’s more important to us than anything else.”
According to Michael Mastoris, the main dining area holds approximately 95 people, with seating for 55 on the patio, 70 in the bar area, and around 40 stools encompassing the granite top bar. There is also a private dining room that seats 50 guests. He said the official capacity for the building is 275. The bar list features 16 beers on tap and close to 20 bottled selections. They also offer over 30 varieties of wine. And Alstarz provides an expansive menu to meet any appetite.
General Manager David Finch said the establishment brings a new look to the township.
”We’ve been able to put Bordentown on the culinary edge so to speak,” Mr. Finch said. “We have fine quality, excellently presented food, that for a sports bar is unheard of.”
Michael Mastoris said the menu is designed to satisfy people who want to sit down and have dinner and those just looking to have a couple drinks and pick at some food with friends as well. There are close to 20 appetizers labeled “Warm-Ups” on the menu and over 40 dinner options ranging from seafood to pasta.
With Mastoris Diner being a fixture in the township for approximately 50 years, he said it was time for the area to have something else.
”When you go to parts of Florida or Arizona you get to see a different thing developing,” he said. “We’re probably the first place in the area to bring the sense of openness you would experience in a casino or a place like New York City.”
Alstarz opened Nov. 19 and currently staffs 225 employees. The building is comprised of various materials and design elements including brick, stone, corked walls, tile, wood and marble.
Alstarz is already attracting attention from the professional sports community as well. The Trenton Devils of the East Coast Hockey League hold their radio show at Alstarz from 7-8 p.m. Michael Mastoris indicated they weren’t planning on catering to that type of event so soon, but it’s something that should continue and grow in the future.
He said business has been nice and the people coming to Alstarz are happy the pub has opened.
”It’s something the place (Bordentown) doesn’t have,” he said. “Everybody has the other restaurants, the chains and everything. It’s all very similar. This is a totally different atmosphere.”

