After a decade of good times and loud music The Tavern on Mill will close its doors for good. For ten years the bar was a staple of the downtown Tempe scene, with spacious patios, solid drink specials, and lots of high-definition TVs.
On Sunday, July 6 The Tavern will close to undergo its first total remodel since the bar opened in 2004. Owner Steve Simons and Consulting Partners Erron Halen and Jordan Ruemler will transform The Tavern into a new bar/restaurant concept that includes plans for an on-site micro-brewery and -distillery.
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The new bar and restaurant will be called Wasted Grain and includes space for a micro-brewery and distillery on-site. The bar will have 74 tap handles and an innovative keg chilling system. Expect live music and a state-of-the-art upgrade to the audio/visual system.
There are also big plans for the outdoor space. The owners will be expanding the current patio to build a 2,500 square foot area called "The Playground." The space will feature games such as bean bags, corn hole, ping pong, shuffle board, and giant Jenga. The idea will be to be a family-friendly restaurant and bar during the day that will then transition into a more nightclub-type spot in the evenings.
On the food side, the restaurant will offer lunch, dinner, and late-night eats and will "focus on doing the best brunch on Mill Avenue," according to Ruemler.Taking inspiration from the name, the restaurant will try to use the spent grain from the brewing in the food.
Wasted Grain in Tempe expects to be open in September and already has plans to open a similar concept in Scottsdale. Check the Wasted Grain Facebook for updates.
And don't think The Tavern is going out without a bang. The weekend before the bar closes it's hosting a 10 year anniversary party called The Tavern 10. The event will welcome back staff and guests old and new for drink specials and an auction for the bar's decor and other memorabilia. The Tavern will also be hosting a contest to recognize individuals in categories such as Best Bartender, Best DJ, and Best Regular. A portion of the proceeds from both days of the event -- Saturday, July 5 and Sunday, July 6 -- will go to the Downtown Tempe Community.
(For more information about the party check the Facebook event page.)