It sounds incredible, but it’s true. The incidences of places where one can simultaneously enjoy high-quality cuisine and awesome live music are shockingly small, even in a town like Columbus that enjoys both. Bar 145, a Toldeo-based enterprise, is poised to change that fact in our fair city.
Launched in 2011, Bar 145, whose tagline is “Burgers. Bands. Bourbon.”, cleverly combines the live music experience with a memorable dining one. They bill themselves as a gastropub firstly, their attention and commitment to local sourcing and ethical practices evident in everything they produce.
But they also like to get the quintessential, and more often than not, literal, party started as well. Bar 145 typically features local bands in their nightly lineups, but also bring acts in from all across the country, exposing eager and easily-bored urbanites to more than what they’re typically used to.
“While there are many other gastropubs in the Columbus area that specialize in fresh, gourmet food, like us, we will be unique,” shares Courtney Thomas, Marketing Rep for Bar 145. “By bringing in entertainment from all over the country and offering an atmosphere like no other, we consider ourselves to be a true destination location.”
The 145 in Bar 145’s name refers to the ideal temperature to which a beef burger should be cooked for perfect medium-rare doneness: 145º F. And the burgers at Bar 145 are worth taking the time to get right. Their beef is raised Certified Humane, their cheeses and toppings all come from local farms, and their breads are baked fresh daily.
Customers are encouraged to create their own burgers utilizing the wide range of ingredients which include organic gouda, sautéed creminis, and duck confit. These can be topped with in-house sauces and dressings like maple demi glace, or cumin ranch sauce.
Or they can order off the menu. The Apple Pie Burger comes with local cream cheese and spiced apples; the Blackbean Burger is a vegetarian delight that’s served with a couscous salad on a multigrain roll. Patrons are also able to sub smoked salmon cakes or herb-roasted turkey for the beef patty.
Bar 145 also pays special consideration to the bishop of the brown spirits: bourbon. Visitors will be able to sip offerings from Columbus’s own Watershed, as well as other favorites, like Knob Creek and Bulleit. Much less well-known, but equally as compelling, brands will also be on hand, like the Elijah Craig, 12 year, a full-mouth, elegant bourbon that once tried will not be forgotten.
Bar 145 is set to open sometime early in November. It will be located at 955 West Fifth Avenue, in the same plaza as Romeo’s Pizza and Firehouse Subs. The 5,400 square-feet hub features an 1,100 square foot mezzanine, and 1,200 square foot patio that should seat 50 guests. Overall, 250 party-lovers can be accommodated at Bar 145 Columbus, a good thing as once this spot is open, the people will surely come.
“Grandview is one of the many suburbs of Columbus that even though it is very close to downtown, still has a community feel,” adds Thomas. “Grandview works out well for our demographic target with so many young professionals working and living in the area. There are many great bars and restaurants in Grandview, and we are excited to be a part of the group to help drive people to the city.”
For more on the opening of Bar 145 Columbus, follow them at www.facebook.com/Bar145Columbus.
