Litt Pinball Bar, previously known as Tilt Pinball, will officially open its doors in the former Liquor Lyle’s space on Oct. 11. The pinball bar made the opening announcement in an Instagram video posted this weekend.

“Over the last year we’ve been working nonstop to transform the space we once knew as Liquor Lyle’s,” Litt employees said in an Instagram announcement video.

Last July, Litt reached a deal to buy the Liquor Lyle’s building for $700,000. After almost 50 years in business, Liquor Lyle’s shut down during Covid-19 shutdowns and never reopened. In March 2021, general manager Jeremiah Kline told Axios that the bar would have lost money if it reopened because the business depended on large crowds.

Litt first opened in 2017 a few blocks away in the Whittier neighborhood. The bar quickly drew a loyal following for its rare and rotating game machines, regular pinball tournaments, and food options ranging from hot dogs to tacos. The new location in the Liquor Lyle’s building can accommodate about 250 people in total, up from just about 80 at the pinball bar’s prior space on E. 26th Street.

The bar’s upgraded venue will have more parking, a bigger bar, additional seating, a new sound system, and new games. Litt promises that up to 40 games will be ready to play on opening day, up from the 25 machines currently on rotation. The bar’s first pinball tournament will kick off during the official grand opening party on Oct. 14.

“We truly believe that pinball is for everyone, and hope that you’ll join us in our new space as we continue to grow our amazing community that you all helped us secure,” Litt employees said in the Instagram video.

Litt’s move comes as national chains and local retailers alike choose to leave Uptown Minneapolis. Most recently, The Cafe Meow moved from Uptown Minneapolis to Roseville in early September. That followed the closure of three other restaurants and bars last fall. Big-name retailers like Apple, North Face, Columbia Sportswear, and more have also left the neighborhood in recent years. The future viability of the neighborhood remains an open question, but Litt owners are optimistic about the new space.

“We are really excited to breathe life back on to the intersection of Franklin and Hennepin,” said Carrie McCabe-Johnston, co-founder and chef at Litt operator Bonafide Hospitality, in an email. “My husband and I own/run two other bars/restaurants in the neighborhood. Plenty of our staff live in or near the area. We are very comfortable here and feel that we have a good understanding of the wants of both our regulars and the neighborhood.”

So far, customer response to the forthcoming move has been positive, she said. “We know that all our regulars are going to be thrilled when they see what we’ve done in the new space,” McCabe-Johnston said.

Litt’s final day of operation in the Whittier neighborhood will be Oct. 5.