Heater said Collett came up with the concept of The Barrel House, in part to serve as a waiting area for the busy restaurant, a former diner that has no bar or waiting area.
The beer-themed business will combine elements of a craft beer bar, offering 18 craft draft beers by the glass, howler or growler; and an upscale carryout, with craft beers available by the single can or bottle or in six-packs, and wines available by the bottle. It will also offer a white wine and red wine on tap, Heater said.
The bar’s interior has the look and feel of a coffee shop, and it will have free wi-fi. A limited food menu will be available, and will include hummus and desserts made at Olive, and pretzels from Smales Pretzel Bakers in Dayton.
The bar’s capacity is 45, and it will open with five employees, Heater said.
The Barrel House will add to an emerging craft beer scene in and around downtown Dayton, home to breweries Toxic Brew, Fifth Street Brewpub, Carillon Brewing Co. and Warped Wing Brewing Company, which will celebrate its first anniversary with several special tappings on Saturday. And around the corner from the new beer bar, at 324 E. Second St., the Dayton Beer Company is preparing to open a production brewery and beer hall in the Weiler Welding building. Owner Pete Hilgeman said this week he is shooting for a possible mid-to-late February opening.
Heater said those developments — along with the renovation of the nearby Dayton Metro Library and the nearby Water Street project with its addition of office, residential and retail development — show “that a lot of good things are happening downtown.”
The Barrel House’s hours will be noon to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, noon to midnight Friday and Saturday, and 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, closed Monday.
For more information, call (937) 222-4795 or check out the Barrel House Facebook page at www.facebook.com/barrelhousetap.
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