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Ryes Craft Beer & Whiskey Bar brings a different experience to the downtown
YOUNGSTOWN
Ryes Craft Beer & Whiskey Bar brings a different experience to downtown’s nightlife.
The venue, located on the second floor at 124 W. Federal St., features 100 domestic craft beers in bottles and cans, an additional 14 craft beers on tap, more than 40 whiskeys, and a boilermaker menu that matches a whiskey shot with a craft beer. The bar also specializes in Prohibition-style cocktails, along with a mead and wine list.
This month, Ryes celebrates its one-year anniversary since its grand opening in May 2014 with a menu that introduces new drinks in each category. The bar also has a beer club that rewards customers who drink 100 different kinds of craft beer within a year.
“We put a lot of effort into creating a place that is comfortable,” said Brad Schwartz, a Ryes co-owner.
Ryes caters toward younger business professionals in need of a classy place for any occasion such as a date, added co-owner Jeff Kurz. The bar features two bar areas, seven booths and tables with a candle in the center, and seating near an electronic fireplace — all of which complements the bar’s dim and laid-back ambience.
“It was important to us that we change the image of downtown,” Kurz said.
Kurz and Schwartz also own Imbibe Martini bar below Ryes, which opened in 2005. The two renovated the building next door, which now houses O’Donold’s Irish Pub & Grill.
“Downtown is always competing for people,” Schwartz said.
The idea for Ryes emerged a few years ago among Kurz, Schwartz, and their business partner David Abrahamson, who never saw the bar come to fruition after he died in January 2011.
“We felt an obligation to the city of Youngstown and our friend that we make this a reality,” Kurz said.
Kurz said he perceives other bars and restaurants in downtown as support rather than competition.
A few of them provide delivery for Ryes customers since the bar does not sell food, he said. “It’s been a nice cooperative effort.”
During development, the city reimbursed some of the improvement costs of the project including the bar’s new signage, balcony and fire escape, and entrance/exit way. The project exceeded $300,000, Kurz said.
“It’s a beautiful bar,” said Mayor John McNally, who praised Kurz’s investment into the area.
“That type of investment is what makes downtown Youngstown a success.”
Ryes is open on Fridays and Saturdays from 8 p.m. to 2:30 a.m.