The venue formerly known as the Bristol Bar is undergoing a major transformation into the new nightlife destination known as Bar L’étranger. The new business is the latest project from Jeff Mathes, managing partner of popular Downtown restaurants Due Amici and Barrio.
“I think the Downtown area of Columbus lacks a bar or lounge that isn’t a night club,” explained Mathes. “I think this will be a place for people who don’t necessarily want to be in a dance club… a place where they can enjoy conversation and drinks in a comfortable atmosphere.”
Bar L’étranger (pronounced lay-trahn-ZHAY) borrows its name from the famous existential novel L’étranger (translates to “The Stranger”) by Albert Camus.
“The concept for the bar is what I would call French Bohemian and existential,” said Mathes. “Which means that the philosophy of the bar is to have people come in and live for the moment, without much of a purpose.”
The bar menu will feature a mid-range selection of high-value french wines, champagnes, single-malt scotches and classic cocktails such as the Kir Royale.
“L’étranger will primarily be a bar, but we will also feature some gourmet bar snacks,” added Mathes. “Most of those will be prepped at one of our existing restaurants and then transported over to be finished on site. That menu will change as often as daily, and there will be a focus on using local and seasonal products.”
The renovations to the venue will be primarily cosmetic, with new furniture, new lighting, and new decor.
“We’ll be using a lot of rustic wood and darker colors,” said Mathes.
Bar L’étranger will open in October, although a grand opening date has not been set as of yet. Opening hours will run 8pm to 2:30am, Wednesday through Saturday.
A more in-depth interview with entrepreneur Jeff Mathes can be read at TheMetropreneur.com.
More information can be found online soon at www.BarLetranger.com.