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The Keg Room re-opens with a new look

Partners Christian Barthelette, Sarah Williams, and Christopher Kolodziey have re-opened the Keg Room at its original location of 87 State St. Reminder Publications photo by G. Michael Dobbs
By G. Michael Dobbs

Managing Editor



SPRINGFIELD A legendary Springfield bar and restaurant has re-opened with new owners and a new look, but with an admiration for its past.

Partners Christian Barthelette, Sarah Williams and Christopher Kolodziey have re-opened the Keg Room at its original location of 87 State St.

With the support of Ray Catuogno, Sr., owner of Catuogno Court reporting, the tradition of the "Thursday Night Club" is also returning to the club the first one being on Nov. 30.

Catuogno explained the Keg Room was the preferred gathering spot after work for lawyers, insurance agents, and court employees. Over the years, Thursday night developed into the time when the people gathered and Catuogno is working to revive the tradition.

He said with a smile, "More cases were settled in Keg Room than in the courts" thanks to the Thursday night gatherings.

The three partners opened the club three weeks ago and Barthelette said that business, especially lunch business, has been very busy. Barthelette said that reviving the name has helped draw attention to the new enterprise as people fondly remember the former establishment.

He said that while renovating the space people would ask the name of the new restaurant and bar. When the partners told them "The Keg Room," Barthelette the name "spread like wildfire" through the downtown area.

"The name itself has done a lot for us," he added.

Williams said the partners have spent over $100,000 in the renovations, which including gutting the first floor space, exposing the brick walls, bringing the kitchen upstairs, building a new bar and installing a large window in the dining area. Barthelette added the window is temporary for the winter and will be replaced in warmer weather by one that will fold away.

Barthelette and Williams see the location as a bridge between the bars and restaurants in the Entertainment District and the South End. They also anticipate their club will be a logical place for people to go to before and after events at the MassMutual Center.

Live entertainment on the weekends, karaoke on Friday nights and football on Sundays will be featured.

Barthelette and Williams said the only remaining renovation would be the downstairs area, which they see as a banquet room that could accommodate 80 to 100 people, and an over-flow area for the dining room.