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| "Cigarettes only" in the smoking hut |
When
you get into a conversation while sitting at a bar, you don't think much about
the bar itself. At least we didn't until we were talking one day with a guy at
the Empire Room on Washington downtown.
Most
bars – we mean here the actual bar counters to sit or stand at, not the barrooms
-- are straight-line constructions. But the Empire's is in two semi-circles, like
a big letter B on its side. As our guy pointed out, it’s much better for
conversation; you can see the person two seats down, or even farther away,
without having to lean forward or back.
Then
we started paying more attention. Some bars have a wide angled front, which
makes it tough to eat a slobbery bar burger without making a mess. Some have
stools that swivel, so you can turn to the person next to you.
Of
course, if you don’t want to talk to anyone or eat a good burger, none of this matters.
And some people evidently spend too much time thinking about it.
But
then we went to the “R” Bar & Grill, farther down Washington almost across
from the Bay County Historical Museum. It was a bitterly cold day, maybe fodder
for a good conversation about global warming.
We
didn't find that, but we did find a mix of happy patrons – and a bar unlike any
we’ve seen.
It’s
sunken -- two steps down in back -- so the bartenders are below floor level. It
means customers can sit at regular chairs instead of high stools. On the other
hand, it’s not much good
for standing at the bar, or leaning on it, since you’d
tower over it.
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| Two steps down behind the bar |
The
only possible explanation for the design comes from Gregory Hayward, who runs
the place with his daughter, Tina. He said a previous owner was aiming for
“more of a lounge atmosphere.” Today, the “R” has a pool table, dartboard,
lottery machine, the usual assortment of beer signs and a couple of big-screen
TVs. It’s a bar worth a visit, for sure, but you wouldn’t call it a lounge.
According
to city directories, a bar has operated at that location for decades. In 1893
and 1900, one was run there by John Schindehette. It was the Sportsmen’s Bar in
1950 and 1960, the Four Hundred Lounge (must be that lounge) in 1970 and 1980,
Madame Shelley’s in 1990, JD Cove at some point and Kook’s until a few months
ago -- when Greg’s family, which ran Shelley’s, got it back (and briefly had a
cute sign on the outside wall saying “under old management”).
Greg
said the family considered resurrecting Shelley’s name but decided it was time
for a change. They finally settled on "R" Bar (yes, they use quote
marks in the name), as in Our Bar. T-shirts for sale at the bar say "Make
R Bar your bar" (yes, they left off the quote marks).
We
showed up one day at lunchtime back before Christmas and found a good crowd. There’s a full bar menu
of burgers, nachos, wraps, ciabattas (which the hairy guy had to look up) and
other sandwiches. The soups and good chili are made in house. Daily specials
are posted.
Bud
Light, Miller Lite, Busch Light and Killian’s are on tap. Frosty mugs are $1.25
till 7 p.m., $1.50 later. A glass is $1. Some canned beers are $1. The bar is
fully stocked and Becky, a great bartender with a good memory, made the hairy
guy a fine Manhattan (two, actually).
Jello shots, if you’re interested, are
$1.
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| Greg Hayward |
The
“R” had been doing karaoke nights, then tried live bands but, Greg said,
weren’t bringing in enough business. So karaoke is back.
In
looking for what’s strange or unique, we didn’t find anything at the “R” beyond
that sunken bar. It’s just an all-around good place.
One
warning: Whoever spent all that time designing the bar might have spent a bit
more time thinking about the men’s room. It’s clean and functional but when you
walk in, you’ll bang the door into anyone standing at the sink. (Sorry, we can’t
report on the women’s room.)
A
shelter made of plastic sheeting was added in back for winter smokers. The bar’s Facebook page specifies that it’s for “cigarettes only.”
Despite
our letdown at not being able to smoke other things out back, any bar that can
build our vocabulary is more than worth its weight in crossword puzzles. Besides
making us look up ciabatta (we’ll save you the trouble: It’s a squat Italian loaf
of bread with a chewy crust), Greg made clear that the bar’s earlier name,
Madame Shelley’s, was madame, meaning a married woman, rather than madam, a
woman who runs a brothel. We checked; he’s right.
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See the bald guy's report on the "R" Bar: The saga of a day at the ‘R’ Bar: Standing, sitting, being called ‘hon,’ more pool table drama and snow
The particulars
“R”
Bar & Grill
400
Washington
989-892-9220
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