Matty Matheson, the renowned Canadian chef and star of the Emmy-winning series The Bear, is set to open a new restaurant named The Iron Cow Public House at the newly renovated arena in Hamilton at 101 York Blvd.
This venue, formerly known as Copps Coliseum and the FirstOntario Centre, is undergoing a $290 million transformation by the Oak View Group (OVG), according to a press release. The Iron Cow will be a 9,500-square-foot full-service bar and restaurant, accommodating up to 185 diners. It will operate on both event and non-event days, offering a welcoming space for visitors to enjoy downtown Hamilton and the arena’s new amenities.
Matheson’s hospitality company, Our House Hospitality Company (OHHC), will craft the menu for Iron Cow, featuring a selection of popular dishes from his other establishments. The arena’s renovation includes new seating, restaurants, and viewing suites, an artist compound, and a redesigned concourse area. The venue is expected to host over 120 events annually, with LiveNation handling live music bookings. The grand opening is anticipated later this year, coinciding with a major concert by Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli.
OHHC was founded by Canadian chef Matty Matheson and is known for its distinctive dining concepts across Ontario. Its portfolio includes Prime Seafood Palace, Matty’s Patty’s Burger Club, Cà Phê Rang, Rizzo’s House of Parm, and Bar Clams. OHHC also partners with Maker Pizza to offer elevated fast-casual fare. The group reflects Matheson’s vision of warm, community-focused hospitality.
“What Oak View Group is doing here is incredible, and I’m honoured to be a part of it,” said Matheson in a press release. “Bringing people together with amazing food, great service, and live music—it’s everything I love. We’re building something special for Hamilton, and I’m pumped for you to see this come together.”
In Fall 2023, Oak View Group, the City of Hamilton, and Hamilton Urban Precinct Entertainment Group (HUPEG) finalized the multi-million-dollar deal to renovate FirstOntario Centre in Hamilton. The updated venue will have 18,000 seats, a new facade, better seating, sound, sightlines, concourses, clubs, suites, and artist lounges. It will support larger events in the southwestern Ontario market, alongside Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena. Construction starts in spring 2024, with reopening planned for fall 2025.
