First Look: Open Concept on Cherokee Street

Cherokee Street has never had a shortage of places to drink, but with the addition of Open Concept at 2712 Cherokee St., a whole new way to party has emerged. The idea is simple: pay $10 an hour, and drink as much as you can legally handle, owner Michael Butler said.

The idea comes from Butler’s days planning government-sponsored fundraisers and parties, when he began to envision a new kind of event, one that would involve batched cocktails served at either a flat fee or an hourly rate. With the expertise he gained working as an alcohol buyer for Walmart in his college days, Butler felt he had the logistical knowledge to make his dreams a reality. 

Read More // Open Concept will launch open bar on Cherokee Street

Butler's menu is small, but he hopes to offer something for everyone. For the stoic, there’s a whiskey and Coke and a gin and tonic; for those who like things a bit fruiter, Open Concept has drinks like Vess and vodka, a strawberry wine punch and a rum punch. There’s also Lou Juice, a vodka-based drink Butler’s been making since his college days.

Butler said off-menu drinks and nonalcoholic cocktails are possible when the bar is less crowded, but at peak hours, patrons will need to stick to the batched drinks. Additionally, Open Concept offers two local draft beer options. 

As far as the space goes, there are numerous couches, televisions and games, making it a comfortable space to spend an hour (or a few). 

Open Concept’s liquor license hearing is Aug. 17, and the space should be open shortly after. To start, Butler said the bar will be open 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. Thursday and Friday and 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Adam Rothbarth is a staff writer at Sauce Magazine.