A recent trip to the soon-to-open HandleBar @ The Hub was a real eye opener. The pub is coming along nicely, and will soon be a handsome cyclist paradise in downtown Buffalo.
The pub is being built out on the ground floor of Schneider Development’s Apartments at The Hub building (see here). In order to fill out the first floor, a second business called The Bike Shop has already set up shop and is currently open. In-between the two businesses is a fitness facility where cyclists can tone up as they get their bikes tuned up. It’s a pretty sweet scenario, that will be relatively seamless when all businesses are open – a clear garage door allows for inner connectivity between the shop and the pub.
After taking a closer look at the HandlBar Pub, I found myself intrigued with some of the aesthetic and functional dynamics that have been incorporated into the design by owners Evan Thompson and Sarah Schneider.
Loads of windows, bike parts fashioned into the bar and lighting elements, a bike rack corral, patio, green landscaped parking lot, stylish bar stools and booths… there’s a lot of thought going into each and every aspect of the business. It was Evan who toured me around the building, and Sarah was kind enough to answer a few of my questions:
The food offerings are intended to get visitors (cyclists) fueled up and ready for action. Can you give me a couple of examples?
We plan to have gourmet loaded potatoes, pizza, salads and desserts.
As for beer, how many tap handles, and what is the range of beer, or concentration of styles?
12 tap handles. All craft beers. Lots of local. We’ll be featuring Flying Bison, Resurgence, Community Beer Works and Hamburg Brew Company beer for sure!
I love the idea of the “cycle table” where someone can can recharge a cell phone while he or she pedals. I also love the ladder system behind the bar that is on rollers similar to an old general store. Anything else?
Lots of surprises. We’ve incorporated bike parts in the space in a lot of fun and functional ways. We’ll have custom interactive table tops. We just poured a custom bike gear and chain bar top. We have bike wheel stools. We’re working with local builders and designers to build our booths and some custom refrigeration casing. Our chandeliers are custom made out of bike chains, designed by Facaro. We have the Big Rig Pedal Power table invented and built by Pedal Power, operating in Essex, NY (this is the electric generating table).
How do you envision the “partnership” with The Bike Shop at The Hub working?
We will be planning events with The Bike Shop, going on rides (see here), hosting after ride parties, and specifically catering to their fitness facility by having smoothies and juices available pre or post work out.
Just think of it. Once HandleBar @ The Hub is open, you will be able to bring your bike over to The Bike Shop for a tune-up, and then grab a beer and food while you wait. Sit inside or on the patio, catch the Tour de France on the tube, and charge up your phone before you head back out on the road. Not a bad deal if you ask me.
HandleBar @ The Hub |149 Swan Street – between Elm and Michigan | (716) 464-0454 | Facebook