Popular spot for porketta bingo in Sudbury is for sale

The Beef ’n Bird in Sudbury is up for sale. The Lorne Street bar, owned by the Toppazzini family, opened in 1977 and is known for hosting porketta bingo.

The Beef ’n Bird in Greater Sudbury is up for sale.

The bar and restaurant on Lorne Street, owned by the Toppazzini family, has been open since 1977 and is known for hosting porketta bingo.

“The one and only Beef ’n Bird first opened its doors on April 11, 1977,” said the real estate listing for the business.

“After nearly 50 years, the Toppazzini family is ready to pass the torch to a new owner. Yes, the iconic Beef ’n Bird is for sale. Building, land and business included.”

The sale price listed is $1,695,000.

Owner Anthony Toppazzini said after five decades, it was time to let someone else take over.

“It’s like anything else, you know, we’re all getting older and age, the business deserves to have young people involved, handled with kid gloves,” Toppazzini said.

‘It’s just time’

“It’s just time to pass it on, I hope, to somebody that wants to continue with it in the hospitality business.”

The bar and restaurant has seen many changes over the years, with music ranging from disco, country and rock n roll.

“We’ve had bands, we’ve had many great acts in here,” Toppazzini said.

“We’ve had many beautiful, loyal Sudbury customers come through the place. You know, we’ve had the parents and then their children and grandchildren ... We have been a landmark in Sudbury for going on 50 years.”

The Beef ‘n Bird has hosted several fundraisers over the years, including events that raised “millions of dollars for Copper Cliff Minor Hockey.”

But we raise money for the food bank, for the hospice. So, it’s just your local neighborhood, family-owned bar.”

While they are for sale, Toppazzini said it’s going to be business as usual for the foreseeable future, including hosting porketta bingo nights.

“Summer’s coming and then we’ll be gearing up again after Labor Day weekend,” he said.

“We’re going to start taking bookings shortly, and we’re going to be booked again every Friday, Saturday night for the whole season coming soon again.”

Toppazzini said he hopes whoever buys the business will maintain it as a sports bar operation that means so much to many people in the community.

“It all depends on who is to come in,” he said.