As you already know, Mars closed about two weeks ago.  Rumor at the time was that it was being turned into “South Street Saloon”, presumably to compete with The Quarter (opening soon).  Turns out it’s actually going to be called “South Street Tavern”, and it’s opening this weekend.  No surprise there; downtown had a few too many upscale establishments for too long.  After Noma’s demise, it only seemed a matter of time until downtown became a series of Wanda’s clones.

Bourbon Street Sal… I mean, Caban…  Er, South Street Tavern will probably be another flip-N-rip like the Noma / Cabana / Noma fiasco.  My money is on a virtually identical floorplan, repainted walls, and new furniture — maybe we’ll even see the return of the straw stools and thatch huts!  Look for this vital improvement to area nightlife to vastly improve our draw from Baltimore / Philly / New York.

Other improvements slated for downtown Harrisburg in 2006:

• Max’s, known for their classy atmosphere, great crowd, and amazing pizza, will install a mechanical bull and begin having bikini Foosball tournaments.
• Noma, still reeling from a flip from upscale martini lounge to crappy beach bar to upscale martini lounge again, will once again change.  Only this time, in order to compete with the forthcoming diner on Second, we’ll see a full-service curb hop restaurant, only without the curb.  Or restaurant.  And a Hot 92 soundtrack.
• Dragonfly will upgrade the second-floor lightshow to all High End Cyberlights and DL.2s.*
• Never one to be left out, Eclipse will dump sand on their sidewalk.
• KoKoMo’s will vote itself “Best Sports Bar That Hasn’t Burned Down Yet”.

Yes, we’re on our way to a 2001-esque revitalization of downtown Harrisburg again.  Also, Frost is opening tomorrow.

* - not true