Come Friday, the Little Rock bar scene will be a bit darker, and a bit more intimate. And we like it.
You might have noticed that Maduro Cigar Bar & Lounge, located at 109 Main St., closed up in early November. In its place will be 109 & Co., a classic, speakeasy bar with New York City influences.
Owner Michael Peace said it’s something he’s wanted to do for more than a year now.
The changes will be evident from the moment you walk in the door. There’s new furniture, a new, bigger bar and one less wall. Peace says the space, which will feature a classic, black-and-gold wallpaper in place of the red-painted walls of Maduro, will be more open after taking down one of the existing walls.
“It will be like nothing what [people] have seen in Little Rock,” Peace said. “In Maduro, it was like walking into a Miami bar. Now, it will be like a New York City speakeasy bar. It will be more dark, more intimate, perfect for dates or if you just want a good cocktail in a dark, sexy environment.”
The idea for 109 & Co. was inspired by a few of Peace’s favorite New York City bars, including Employees Only and P.D.T. (Please Don’t Tell, which you enter through a phone booth in a hot dog shop).
Peace tells Soirée there was a big effort to get rid of all things smoky. If it couldn’t be cleaned, it was tossed.
While the place itself may not smell of smoke, your drink may taste of it, but that’s on purpose. Peace has plans for barrel-aged cocktails with a program for customers to start their own concoction in their personal charred oak barrel. When the cocktail is gone, customers will be able to purchase the barrels to take home. (Someone please put that on Instagram.)
Overall, 109 & Co. will carryover about 15 of the cocktails Maduro featured. The bar will also add a few brand new ones from Peace, on top of a few Maduro cocktails that have been reworked to incorporate a more classic taste.
In addition to the signature cocktails with an old-fashioned twist, customers can expect a bit of tasty food. 109 & Co. has reached an agreement with Butcher & Public to supply a few dishes, including a smoked chicken curry salad, and a bratwurst and sauerkraut plate.
Maduro fans, some good news for you. Peace has plans to reopen the cigar lounge in a different location. There are a few spots downtown he’s currently looking at, but nothing is official right now. Be sure to sign up for our daily e-newsletter, “Little Rock Soirée Today” to stay posted on this news.
109 & Co. will be open 7 p.m. to midnight Sunday and Monday, 5 p.m. to midnight Tuesday through Thursday, and 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday. For more information, check out the Facebook page.
The bar’s grand opening is set for Friday. Cheers!