Oak View Group, the organization renovating Hamilton’s arena (formerly the FirstOntario Centre), has announced that Canadian celebrity chef Matty Matheson will open a 9,500-square-foot full-service restaurant and bar inside the facility.
The new restaurant will be called The Iron Cow Public House and will have the capacity for up to 185 guests.
It will operate even if there are no events being held at the arena that day and will include a “speakeasy style pub” within the space.
Tim Leiweke, the Chairman and CEO of Oak View Group, said in a press release, “At Oak View Group, we’re not just transforming venues—we’re transforming the way people experience them. Hospitality is where that starts, and Hamilton deserves the best.”
“Matty is not only one of Canada’s most celebrated chefs – he’s a hometown hero with a powerful voice and a unique vision. His creativity, energy, and connection to this community make him the ideal partner to help us deliver a truly local, unforgettable experience at Hamilton Arena.”
Matheson’s restaurant group, Our House H.C. will also be designing and curating the menu for three concession stands within the arena.
The stands will reportedly feature items from two of Matheson’s restaurants, Matty’s Patty’s and Rizzo’s House of Parm.
Other concepts developed by Matheson will be introduced for premium suites.
Matheson commented in a press release, “What Oak View Group is doing here is incredible, and I’m honoured to be a part of it.”
“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.”
Matheson was born in Saint John, New Brunswick but raised in Fort Erie, Ontario in the Niagara Region.
He owns and operates multiple restaurants including Prime Seafood Palace (Toronto), Bar Clams (Toronto), Matty’s Patty’s (Toronto, and Costa Mesa, California), Rizzo’s House of Parm (Fort Erie), CÀ Phê Rang (Toronto), and Maker Pizza (Toronto).
He is also a three-time New York Times best-selling author for his books Matty Matheson: A Cookbook, Home Style Cookery, and Soups, Salads, Sandwiches.
He is an executive producer and a television personality, portraying a handyman named Neil Fak on the TV series The Bear.
Matheson is also known as an internet personality, particularly on YouTube, and plays in a rock band named Pig Pen.
He even has a home goods brand called Matheson Cookware, and a food product brand called Matheson Food Company.
The $280-million refurbishment of the Hamilton Arena is expected to be complete in late 2025.
Oak View Group says that the facility “will become the new centrepiece for concerts, sporting events, family entertainment, trade shows, and community events in Southwestern Ontario.”
The first event planned for the arena is a concert from the world-famous Italian singer Andrea Bocelli on Dec. 9, 2025.
The Hamilton Arena will also host the Juno Awards in March 2026. A new name for the stadium is also expected to be announced at some point in the near future.
Based in Hamilton, he reaches hundreds of thousands of people monthly on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter. He has been published in The Hamilton Spectator, Stoney Creek News, and Bay Observer. He has also been a segment host with Cable 14 Hamilton. In 2017, he received the Chancellor Full Tuition Scholarship from the University of Ottawa (BA, 2022). He has also received the Governor General’s Academic Medal. He formerly worked in a non-partisan role on Parliament Hill in Ottawa.
