ATHENS, Ohio — The building formerly occupied by Zoe Fine Dining is once again a restaurant that promises to become a new Athens staple.
The Side Bar, located at 24 ½ E.State St., is more than a bar and restaurant; bartender Maryrose (who did not want to give a last name) described the business as “a third space” — a place to socialize that’s neither home nor work.
“[Owner Rachael Wiley] wanted it to be a third space for people in the area,” said Maryrose. “Her policy is, ‘Never ask them to leave, even if they aren’t ordering anything.’ It’s a safe space for people.”
This is evident in the facility’s atmosphere, which offers bar seating, table seating and cushioned sofas as well as board games and abundant outlets along with chargers for electronic devices.
Wiley said she intends The Side Bar to be a safe space for people within the LGBTQ+ community, where no hate will be tolerated.
“As subtle as the rainbow doors are, they’re very deliberate to be like, ‘If this offends you, do not come in.’ I want everyone to feel welcome,” Wiley said.
The restaurant also welcomes teetotalers, with a long list of non-alcoholic beverages that includes non-alcoholic wine and mocktails. Wiley said that the non-alcoholic options are popular with underaged visitors who come in on week nights to play board games.
“[They] just want to play a board game and just be allowed to be in the space; not trying to sneak alcohol, not coming in drunk,” Wiley said. “So for the summer, we’re seeing how that goes. Because it would be really great to be a safe space and stay a safe space for queer youth.”
The Side Bar is eclectic both in its atmosphere — with its variety of decorative art (which will soon expand with an art gallery featuring local artists) — and its ever-changing food, drink and dessert menus inspired by various cultures.
The menus reflect Wiley’s experience as a personal chef and bartender in Athens. Wiley said she prefers to cook anything but American food, though some American items such as barbecue will be featured every now and then.
Each menu changes often — sometimes seasonally, sometimes at random when Wiley wants to experiment with her creations.
“It’s always flowing into what our clients need,” Maryrose said. “So I feel like I just need to hold on tight and be along for the ride that Rachael’s gonna take us on.”
Food offerings come in five categories: “bar snacks,” appetizers, build your own charcuterie, entrees and desserts. For the build your own charcuterie option, customers may select various menu items as priced as low as $1 each. Bar snacks and desserts are always available, even when the kitchen is closed — Wiley believes it’s important to eat while drinking alcohol. Customers order at the bar and pick up their food at the kitchen window.
The Side Bar’s drink menu consists of drafts, domestic beer cans/bottles and house cocktails with a price range between $2 and $10. The most expensive item on the menu, the seared ahi tuna bowl, costs $16.
“I don’t ever want to price out the community members, especially with food prices or high-end cocktail prices,” Wiley said. “I try to be mindful, like, ‘Can my own staff afford to come here? Can my peer group coming from the service industry afford to come here?’”
Wiley sources much of her food and drinks from various local establishments such as Jackie O’s Barrel Ridge Farm, Chesterhill Produce Auction, artisan hot sauces by Larry Elefante and desserts from micro-bakery Flour and Thyme.
The Side Bar also hosts shows by local musicians and performers.
“I want to try to platform as many local artists and artisans as possible,” Wiley said.
Wiley is especially interested in collaborating with and supporting women-owned businesses.
“As a woman-owned business, I’m primarily working with as many other women as I can. That’s just a personal passion project for me,” Wiley said. “I have a handful of women that I could not have done this without.”
Wiley said The Side Bar exists to contribute to the community of bars, restaurants and venues within Athens.
“Athens is small … we’re here to be a team player, we’re here to work together,” Wiley said. “We just want to make Athens cooler.”
For information on deals, events and menu items, visit The Side Bar Instagram page.
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