After Cause and the Country Bar closed last year, some said Minneapolis' rapidly gentrifying Lyn-Lake neighborhood was for the birds (or bros). But new chapters don't always suck.
As we previously reported, two Mac's vets are opening Iron Door Pub where Cause once slung tallboys. Now, Nomad World Pub owner Todd Smith has plans for the Country Bar.
The man behind the popular West Bank bar and venue closed a deal for the Country Bar space and name last Thursday and looks to open a yet unnamed bar in its place this summer. Smith says he wants to "honor the history" of the beloved dive, while giving the tiny Uptown joint a much needed update.
"I was actually in the bar one of the last nights of business and have always liked the spot quite a bit," he said.
The smelled-like-grease Country Bar was one of the first bars Smith frequented when he moved to the Twin Cities and he lives near the pint-sized pub. While he's completely gutting the place -- redoing the kitchen and putting in new bathrooms and a backbar -- Country Bar nostalgics will recognize a few things. The buffalo heads, antler and wagon wheel chandeliers, and brass bar rail with horse heads will all ride again.
While the new concept is still taking shape, Smith expects a craft beer focus a la the Nomad. A limited food menu will feature burgers and (lest he be crucified) wings with the original spicy Shorty & Wags recipe. Just don't expect anything too fancy.
"We're not going to have lamb belly or anything like that," he said. "I think it's going to be a bar and grill, not a gastropub."
We'll slam a High Life (or moderately priced craft pilsner) to that.
