Greensboro’s Newest Bar Neighbors Is Now Open | Eater Carolinas
"Set in a bubblegum-pink, renovated 45-year-old autobody garage at 507 Simpson Street on the edge of downtown, this bartender-owned, operator-run bar offers a playful, “living room chic” dive-bar vibe with tastefully dated, throwback décor and a mix of indoor and outdoor seating (about 20 bar seats, 12 chairs, three high-tops, five large patio tables and a covered patio). Run by five local industry veterans — Emma Smith, Jake Skinner, Ellen Moore, Max Barwick and Ryan Hill — the team modeled the concept on other bartender- and worker-owned operations and emphasizes an owner-operator business structure: front-of-house starts at $7.50 base pay, back-of-house $17 plus tips from a back takeout window, with scheduled raises and plans to fold longtime employees into ownership; initial capital included an investor (to be repaid) and a catalyst grant from Downtown Greensboro Inc. The menu is meat- and smoker-centric with an intentionally low price point: hot dogs (Chicago, Carolina and chili-cheese) are the biggest sellers, alongside Texas-style brisket, St. Louis spareribs, egg salad and deviled eggs, while the cocktail program is the centerpiece — split into shaken, stirred and island sections — with fan favorites like a Pornstar Martini made with house-infused vanilla vodka and a milk-washed strawberry daiquiri called “Yachts on the Reg” (made with Nesquik). Beers are affordably priced ($3–$5) and the short wine list leans toward higher-acid, juicy natural wines chosen to pair with the food. Open Wednesday through Sunday from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m., the goal is to be an approachable neighborhood bar that feels both immediately welcoming and like it could have been a local fixture for decades." - Eric Ginsburg
