Nearly six months after Town Pump was purchased by the Barnaby Group and closed for renovations, the iconic dive bar is reopening this Thursday, Aug. 21.
Barnaby Group, best known for George’s and upcoming Heights restaurant The Lady, is keeping the bars’ “grit” while refreshing the food menu, growing its lineup of entertainment and updating (only slightly) a few interior design details.
“We didn’t take this on to make big changes,” says Greg Baber, Barnaby Group’s director of front of house operations. “The karaoke stage hasn’t moved, the bar hasn’t moved and we’re still serving burgers, wings and cold beer. We fixed what needed fixing and left the soul of the place alone.”
In addition to a few aesthetic touch-ups, the food and drink menu is also getting some much-needed attention. While the wings and original Town Pump burger will remain, culinary director Wes Mickel is turning up the quality with fried chicken and biscuits, chili crunch wrap supreme, buffalo dip, fried nuggets and rice crispies and cookies. Of course, you can still expect jello shots and cold beer, in addition to two frozen margarita machines.
An “Amaro Hour” will be available weekdays from 7-8 p.m. and brunch specials like mimosas and bloody marys will be available on Sundays. According to the Town Pump team, “the same friendly, familiar faces will be behind the bar, just serving drinks that hit a little harder (and colder).”
As for the entertainment, Town Pump’s iconic karaoke nights will make a return, along with trivia, bingo, bar olympics and themed nights, plus, a stacked lineup of local musicians.
“The Town Pump is ready for the next 60 years,” Baber says.
Town Pump is located at 1321 Rebsamen Park Road. Hours are Tuesday-Sunday from 11 a.m. until “midnight or so.”
To learn more about Town Pump, including upcoming entertainment and events, follow Town Pump on Instagram.