thursday, august 21. 2003
jayplay.19
Stacie Campbell, Topeka graduate student, and Chance Smart, Wichita senior, relax at the Bella Lounge. The Bella Lounge, 925 Iowa St., is the only smoke free bar in Lawrence.
Jared Soares/Kansan
Although it is rather small, holding approximately 125 people, Farna said itis a place to go where you can still hear yourself converse, even with the music.
If you're ever in search for a new place to go to check out sports on TV, Tanner's Bar and Grille, 15th and Wakarusa, which is opening soon. This bar features 32 TVs, including two in the restrooms, and a separate game room with darts, pool tables and video golf.
The Yacht Club will be reopening Sept. 15 with new ownership and a new look. Also a sports bar and grille, part-owner Tom Devlin says the new Yacht club was completely gutted on the inside to convert it into a sports bar and grille.
"The patio was covered, there are new restrooms and the bar is a lot bigger. There is a new floor and new plumbing," Devlin says. "You won't even recognize it."
Devlin said that the bar and grille will be different from most because of the location and the atmosphere it creates..
The Yacht Club now also serves lunch and dinner.
As changes go, first on the list is the former Raoul's Velvet Lounge. The new name for this well-known martini bar is Eight-One-Five. Along with the name change came new seating and more color, adding warmth and texture to the room.
Jeff Singer, Eight-One-Five owner, says that the bar will be different from other typical bars or clubs in Lawrence and that the renovations are a way to
help that.
"A lot of bars have the connotations of being a college hangout and we cater to the college and the over 25 crowd," Singer says.
Eight-One-Five has the largest selection of alcohol, from well alcohol, or off-brand, up to
top-of-the-line, premium alcohol.
Singer guarantees that what they pour is what's in the bottle.
"We do not dilute, we do not substitute. Everything you order is what you order," he says.
Thursdays and Saturdays are no cover with live entertainment at Eight-One-Five. Next month, try a Red Bull vodka any night for just $1.50 or $2 almost anything on Thursdays.
"Of all the bars in town, when my dad comes back in town, he still remembers going to the Crossing when he was in school here" says David English, Augusta senior. "It will always be the place to go after class on Thursday and Friday afternoons."
Mee said that they heard complaints about the restrooms, so that is what they fixed. They are now suitable for anyone.
The Crossing has also renewed and updated with new ownership by Charles Mee, owner of Henry's on 8th St.
"The bathrooms there used to suck," says Lindsay Campbell, Scott City senior. "They were dirty and gross. I refused to use them." The Crossing will still feature the same specials all year but will try to do more events during football season, such as broadcasting a pre-game show with a Lawrence radio station.
Because the Crossing is such a tradition, there's not much you can or need to do to improve. Mee said. You can only make it the best you can.