HandleBar Tavern closes for remodel, "new chapter"

After a final bash yesterday, the HandleBar Tavern has closed for renovation -- and perhaps a new concept. "It is the end of an era," announced a sign on the door of the neighborhood restaurant last week. "Come help us celebrate as we get ready to remodel and begin a...

By Westword Staff

July 14, 2014

Audio By Carbonatix

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After a final bash yesterday, the HandleBar Tavern has closed for renovation -- and perhaps a new concept. "It is the end of an era," announced a sign on the door of the neighborhood restaurant last week. "Come help us celebrate as we get ready to remodel and begin a new chapter." See also: Table to Tavern is now without Table 6 There have already been a couple of chapters connected with this spot, the former Downing Street Bar & Grill, which was added to the Pour Kids stable in early 2012. That was after partner Rob Lanphier split from B.U.F.F. Brothers to form Pour Kids and open Boone's Tavern in late 2011.

Then last summer, Pour Kids partnered with Table 6's Paradigm Restaurants. The goal of the new group, as Table to Tavern CEO Brian Midtbo told Cafe Society last fall, was to "take what we all do -- the fun of sports and the amazing food and service of Table 6 -- and meld them into one."

While Table 6 remained unchanged by the move -- although it did lose founding chef Scott Parker to Session Kitchen around the same time -- Boone's underwent a makeover, and the group began renovating the space next door to Boone's, which had been Fagan's for decades, into what would eventually become Atticus. But the partnership dissolved in January, shortly before Atticus opened.

Atticus remains under the umbrella of Table to Tavern, which is owned by Brian Midtbo, Angie Midtbo and Lanphier. And while they start writing that new chapter for the HandleBar, Boone's and Atticus will be pouring.

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