Cindy Cataldo, owner, is ready to serve a cold one at Massimo’s Backside Bar in Niles. Leader photo/CRAIG HAUPERT

Pizza and beer.

It’s a combination that has withstood the test of time.

So it’s no surprise that the owners Massimo’s Pizzeria wanted to add a sports bar to their popular Niles pizza spot.

That’s how Massimo’s Backside Bar was born.

“Customers kept telling us they wanted some beer with the pizza,” said Cindy Cataldo, who owns the place with her husband, Massimo. “It’s something we’ve been wanting to do for about three years now, and the opportunity came up.”

Massimo’s Backside Bar, which opened in December, is literally located on the backside of Massimo’s Pizzeria, 20 E. Main St., Niles.

It features a 108-inch projection television and five 42-inch TVs, full sports package, dart board and Golden Tee arcade machine.

Massimo’s serves alcoholic beverages, including local brews such as Greenbush, and local wines, such as Tabor Hill. As for food, customers have access to the full menu at Massimo’s Pizzeria.

“People should be able to find something they like,” she said.

When the weather warms up, Massimo’s will turn the parking lot in between the bar and Main Street into a patio.

Cataldo said they plan on offering outdoor entertainment at least once a month during the spring and summer months.

“We already have a band booked for June, and we are doing a tent for the [Niles] Burn Run,” she said.

As for the name — Backside Bar — Cataldo said a friend came up with it and it stuck.

“We laughed at it when we heard it, but the more we thought about it, the more we liked it,” she said.

Massimo’s Backside Bar opens at 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, noon on Saturday and 4 p.m. Sunday.

“We’ve had a really good response so far, a lot of customers, a lot of regulars,” Cataldo said.

“It’s a place where you can come in and have a couple beers and run into someone you know. You can do a girls’ night out, some wine drinking, play some Golden Tee — it’s a little bit of everything.”

You can find Massimo’s Backside Bar on Facebook at facebook.com/TheBacksideBar.

Call (269) 687-4992.