Downtown’s new speakeasy, the Blind Bear, had a preview party for its Facebook fans last night. I’d been eagerly awaiting the opening of this bar for several months. I knew it would be a smashing success because it’s owned by three of Downtown’s best bartenders – Jamie and Jeannette, formerly from the Silly Goose, and Colin, formerly from Blue Fin, along with Jeannette’s dad as a silent partner.
The Facebook invite asked attendees to bring an ornament to hang on their tree, “and yes Paul it can be a PBR can on a hook.” So about 7:40, right before the party started, I stopped by the Silly Goose, ordered a PBR, drank it, and had them wash out the can. So if you go this weekend and see the can on the tree, yep, that’s mine.
Knowing it would get crowded, we got there right at 8 and I managed to grab the corner seat at the bar. Here are some pics I took.
Looking toward the entrance, from the corner seat at the bar.
Poker and blackjack tables are along the wall opposite the bar. I am going to love sitting at this table for Tuesday poker nights with Jamie. I asked about the start time – he said 8 PM.
Sandra: “I thought we were all dressing up” in Prohibition-era fashion. Apparently she was the only one in our group who got that memo.
The menu (click the photo for a larger image). Nothing on the menu is over $8. They hired Michael Bean away from the Goose to run the kitchen. Bean makes some good food. He can be a real pest at a poker table though.
Whitney and Sandra. It’s good to be hanging out at a bar where Whitney works again.
The entrance ramp leading up to the bar. There are lounge areas to the left and right, with a pool table to the right as well.
Less eating, more boobs seems to be the Nuh-Uh Girl’s thing lately.
Chicken fingers
High five!
Rebekah
Rusty Lemon and his buddy Josh
What’s Colin looking at?
The bar – that’s Jamie down at the far end. I’m pleased to report that they have PBR on tap, served in glass jars in keeping with the speakeasy theme.
Group photo
Sandra and Magyn
I just can’t say enough about what an incredible job Jamie, Jeannette and Colin have done with this space. Beautifully decorated, they kept it authentic with the Prohibition theme, and of course I’m always happy to walk in a bar and see a pool table and PBR on draft. When I walked in, I immediately got that “I’m comfortable here” feeling – the same feeling I got the first time I walked into Bardog, Brass Door, and Max’s Sports Bar, and the same feeling I get when I’m squeezing limes into my beer at the Saucer. The one unknown variable at this point is who will be the regular crowd – you can’t really tell that from a preview party. It will surely draw some of the crowd from the Goose and Blue Fin, since that’s where the owners previously worked.
Based on what I saw last night, I’ve come to the conclusion that this is a bar I want to hang out at every day. Longtime readers of this blog remember that I used to have two every-day hangout spots, Sleep Out Louie’s and the Flying Saucer. Since Sleep Out’s closed in 2007, it’s been just the Saucer – with stops at other places too, of course, but the Saucer has been the only one I’ve been going to daily. Now there are two again – Saucer and Blind Bear.
The Blind Bear will be open 6 PM to 3 AM Monday through Saturday. That actually works out perfect for me, because I get off work at 5 and have to drive home from Horn Lake. It’s usually 6 before I can get out anyway. So, once the blasted holidays are over and I’m back to my normal routine, I think I’m going to make the Blind Bear my first stop on weekdays, then make my way to the Saucer at some point later in the evening. The one exception will probably be Monday, when Pint Nite at the Saucer followed by poker night at the Goose is too good a combination to be messed with.
On Sundays, their plan is open 3 PM to 3 AM, with “Hung Over Like a Bear” brunch from 3 to 6 PM. They’ll be open to the public 6 PM to 3 AM tonight (Christmas Eve) and tomorrow (Christmas).
Congratulations to all involved with the Blind Bear on a superb opening. I will see you soon.