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New wine bar poised to open in downtown Dayton
Most of you know Eric Jerardi, either from his stellar musical career or from his Get Real Wine Series or his ownership of the Little Store, a wine shop and deli at 7325 Peters Pike that I wish were closer to my home.
Well, Eric is about to add another line to his already impressive bio: he’s the wine consultant and chief spokesman for a new wine bar and cocktail lounge called SideBar, which is scheduled to open Thursday, Aug. 28, in the First National Plaza at 130 W. Second St. in downtown Dayton. Map of location
It’s an ambitious venture, all the way around — and not just because it’s opening in the heart of downtown, which has taken a hit or two in recent years, employment-wise. Jerardi himself sets the bar rather high for the wines that he will put on SideBar’s wine list, calling it “the most affordable, well-rounded, hippest wine list in the state of Ohio.”
Well allrighty then.
The cocktail bar portion of the menu also aims high. Michael Rubel, who is crafting the drinks list, says SideBar will take “an artisanal approach to bartending,” eschewing premade mixes and syrups in favor of house-made bitters, grenadine syrup, ginger syrup and other ingredients.
Order a Manhattan here, Rubel says, and you’ll get one made with rye, not bourbon, with a dash of bitters and imported Maraschino cherries, Rubel said. There will even be multiple kinds of ice, Rubel said.
For his part, Jerardi promises a by-the-glass list of five whites and five reds that will rotate frequently and be served with minimal markups, along with an “outrageous” reserve list that will “reflect my passion for wine” with the likes of Penfolds Grange and Chateau Mouton-Rothschild.
SideBar’s owner is Brian Higgins of Dayton, who says he was attracted by the location’s large patio and central location.
“I have to believe there is more than a handful of people in Dayton who want a place with a great cocktail list and where they can get a nice glass of wine,” Higgins said.
SideBar will seat 50 people inside and 60 or more outside. It will also offer fine cigars. The wine bar and cocktail lounge will be open from 4 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Monday through Thursday, 4 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. on Friday, 7 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Saturday, and will be closed Sunday. There’s no phone number or web site yet, but stay tuned.
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Comments
By Denis
September 7, 2008 2:05 PM | Link to this
Location? It’s one of the BEST in downtown - the patio faces an URBAN GREEN SPACE on a street that in the evening gets very little traffic - I think the new name for the area might end up being the sidebar district.By Tipp resident
August 27, 2008 7:11 PM | Link to this
This is to Ryan who posted on the 22nd that the service was “non-existent.” Since they didn’t open until today, (the 28th) one would expect “nonexistent” service on the 22nd! Do you even know which bar you’re commenting on?By Pascal
August 23, 2008 12:14 PM | Link to this
I have seen the place and it is beautiful. The guys working on it were incredibly gracious and even offered a tour! As we walked through I kept thinking, “Am I still in Dayton?”. Can’t wait!By dsto
August 22, 2008 4:28 PM | Link to this
The location will be just fine if people just go. If it seems “shady” or “less desirable” that can all change in a heartbeat if people show up. There is power in numbers and the shadows will be driven away by a few successful bright spots. Take your city back! Only you guys that think this is a good idea can change the area aand the wrong immpressions of our city. I will be there with bells on. Okay pants too…By Ryan
August 22, 2008 2:15 PM | Link to this
It’s would certainly be great to have a hip wine bar to replace Bin 130, and this particular incarnation of the concept seems promising, its just unfortunate that the location chosen is one of the least desirable in town. If nothing else it might provide some much-needed competition for the Wine Gallery. While I try very hard to like the place its unfortunate that they show so little interest in taking my money, as evidenced by the seat-of-the-pants kitchen schedule and the persistently slow (or nonexistent) service anywhere but sitting at the bar.By Leslie
August 22, 2008 12:17 PM | Link to this
See Forbes was wrong. The entertainment district is really growing. This area is growing. There is Unos, Citilites, Gregory’s, J-Alans, Mary Ann’s Southern Kitchen, Flying Pizza, there’s a chinese place at the corner of 1st and Main and now Sidbar. There’s a lot of night life forming downtown.By Captiva Dude
August 22, 2008 12:00 PM | Link to this
I know these two guys and they do things right. Can’t wait to hit the patio for a glass.By Ann
August 22, 2008 10:52 AM | Link to this
I’m looking forward to another wine bar in Downtown Dayton!!! It is “virtually” across the street from the Schuster parking garage so parking shouldn’t be a problem. (Okay, so it is half a block.) Also convenient for Victoria Theatre and Schuster Center patrons.By Eric
August 22, 2008 10:16 AM | Link to this
Good concept and I will stop in for cocktails but the location will be it’s biggest hurdle.