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THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAS
1B
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2001
A different brew Henry's enters new era with upstairs bar
Bartender Chad Shields pours drinks for Tuesday's patrons at Henry's, 11E 8th St. Henry's recently added an upstairs lounge and cocktail bar to compliment the first-floor coffee shop.
By Mandalee Meisner Jayplay writer
Walking up the stairs at Henry's H. E. Eighth St. is like stepping into a different era — at least in appearance.
Patrons to the establishment called Henry's Upstairs encounter early century-style decor, woodwork and light fixtures, all arranged by owner Dave Boulter. The presence of a fireplace and a closet booth with a rotary dial phone add to the unusual ambience, creating a distinctly different type of bar atmosphere.
"It has a classic style." said Aaron Douglas. Lansing senior and manager for the "aleoholic extension" to the downstairs coffee shop.
Yet, despite the 1950s feel of the bar. Henry's Upstairs exhibits a modern twist.
"It's different from a lot of bars a melting pot of regular downtown people, college students and local business owners." Douglas said.
After opening last May after two years of work, Henry's Upstairs with its European decorative elements and laid-back environment is attracting what Justin
Henry's has always attracted a varied clientele, and now even more so." Brianna Dukelow, 19-year-old Lawrence resident, said. "The bar has definitely brought more customers to the coffee shop. Now in addition to the caffeine freaks, you have the social drinkers."
Jeremy Vaughn, 25-year-old Lawrence resident, said he visits Henry's Upstairs a few times a week.
"I was really impressed with what they did upstairs." Vaughn
said. "And I know a lot of people go there for the decor."
Aaron Douglas, part-time bartender and manager of Henry's Upstairs, said the attitude of the bar often changes dramatically between 5 p.m. — when it opens
to later in the evening. The bar closes at 2 a.m.
often buy a beer and then sit and study since it's quiet and we don't have a lot of people." Douglas, Lansing senior, said. "Later at night it turns into more of a martini bar."
Some people choose to bring drinks from the coffee shop upstairs — opting for a mocha or cappuccino, for instance, instead
"Early in the evening, people
KU students share stories in Henry's lounge overlooking Massachusetts Street. Downtown Lawrence bars offer diverse atmospheres where customers can chat, drink, smoke, dance and listen to live music.
of an alcoholic beverage
or an on-duty beverage Likewise, drinkers find the downstairs coffee shop conveni ent after a night of indulgence.
"Having the coffee down here to sober up is a plus." Shwepe said.
Boulter owner of both upstairs and downstairs, envisioned the upstairs as a bar addition to his business nearly three years ago when the space served as an apartment.
Then, two years ago he began the project with Owen Murphy a carpenter. Time was spent "scraping off decades of old pine finish" to reveal the original woodwork underneath, amassing European-inspired decor and using cut-throughs to create a more open environment.
"Several people have remarked to me that the bar's very similar to some they've seen in Paris or London." Boulter said. "We invented it as we went along, but our aim was to create something cozy and comfortable — like going to a friend's apartment."
Judging from the reaction, it seems he accomplished his goal.
"It's a comfortable atmosphere close, but not unpleasantly so." Vaughn said.
Adam Robinson, Northbrook,
HL., junior, said much of the
friendly atmosphere comes from
the attitude of the staff. Robinson
is general operations manager at
Henry's.
"It doesn't matter who you are or what you are, we treat everyone hereas one of our friends," Robin
Douglas said that more so than at other establishments, Henry's Upstairs bartenders are given more room to control the crowd.
son said. "That's what our busi-ness is built off of—friendship."
Chad Shields, 21, is known by customers as the "singing bartender"
"We get our bartenders to control the atmosphere." Douglas said. "Whatever bartender is working on a particular night, it carries over into the atmosphere. Basically, the environment is a product of our bartenders. They have a lot of personality."
"Everybody's got their own taste in music." bartender Bob Little, Lawrence junior, said. "I mostly play jazz, but there's also people that play indie rock and even Michael Jackson."
"I've heard everything from hip hop to pop." Dukelow said.
one bartender even creates his own music.
Inspired by his background in theater and music. Shields often sings and dances between playing CDs.
"He's pretty musical behind the bar." Doughas said about Shields. "We were just hanging out once and a CD ended. He broke into a show tune—something from Jesus Christ Superstar—and everybody got very quiet. By the time he got done, the whole bar was clapping."
Contact Meisner at 864-4810
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