Oasis Bar & Grill

It has been a year since business partners Phil Niosi of Indian Harbour Beach and Al Zimmerman of Merritt Island decided it was time to give Cocoa Village a new sports bar. Thus was Oasis Bar and Grill born last fall.

After a long career in the corporate world, Niosi and Zimmerman decided it has high time to have some fun, and what could be more fun that having your own sports bar? They went for a Cheers-type of place, of course, with food and fun to make visiting worthwhile.

They have approached their new venture from an unusual perspective, for as Niosi will tell you, he and Zimmerman are not your typical bar keepers.

Question: What’s your history, Phil ?

Niosi: I previously worked as director of programs for DRS. My hometown was in Long Island, New York, and I lived most of my life in the Huntington and West Hampton areas. I moved to Brevard in 2006 to manage a DRS facility in West Melbourne. I was stationed in Florida when I was in the Navy and I loved the weather. It was always in the back of my mind to move to Florida permanently.

Both Al and I are veterans. Al was in the Army and is highly decorated. I was an aviation electronics tech in the Navy.

Al was born in Philadelphia and moved to Florida from California in 2008. He was president at EPS Corporation and before that, corporate vice president at DRS.

Q: What makes Oasis special?

Niosi: The friendly atmosphere and comfortable surroundings. Al and I greet patrons personally any time we are there. The food is great and very reasonably priced.

Q: Signature dish?

Niosi: We have a few. The fish and chips, the flatbread pizzas and our Philly cheesesteaks are all very popular.

Q: What should first-timers to your place try?

Niosi: The fish and chips and for meat lovers, the Philly cheesesteaks. The meats and rolls are directly from Philadelphia.

Q: Either of you do the cooking?

Niosi: The only cooking I do is preparing chili from scratch for our nachos and chili cheese dogs.

Q: Famous person you’d like to see at Oasis?

Niosi: Mick Jagger

Oasis Bar and Grill

Where: 200 Willard St., Cocoa Village.
Parking is located on the Westside of the building.

Call: 321-301-4791

Hours: Open from 4 to 11 p.m. on Mondays and from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Tuesdays through Sundays

Of note: Oasis hosts Paint and Sip Art Classes on Selected Tuesdays. Call for upcoming dates.

Wings are 40 cents during Wild Wing Wednesdays.

Enjoy karaoke on Friday nights.

During football season, Oasis offers the NFL Tickets, five big-screen televisions and half-time food and drink specials.

Pete & Pals, a musical experience with five young and talented soloists is scheduled for Sept. 19 at Oasis.