Story by Ezra Van Den Einde Mass communications senior at MSUM
Edited by Samantha Rachuy
The Old Broadway Grill is a mullet of a business, and that’s a compliment. The restaurant has found a way to appeal to professionals and downtown shoppers during the day, while avoiding a stale image that might repel young adults looking for a party scene at night.
The Old Broadway Grill is filled with business casual and professionally dressed adults during the day. One might think the OB Grill slows to a halt after the supper rush, or they have a happy hour crowd of regulars that chat and enjoy peanuts until bar close. In reality, if you stick around as the evening transitions to night, the curly long-haired “party in the back” side of the business plans spills over from the OB City. Rap music takes over the peaceful dining atmosphere, peanuts are replaced by bowls of popcorn and the Old Broadway Grill becomes the “quiet” attachment to one of the largest and loudest parties in town.
Old Broadway Grill, courtesy of theoldbroadway.com
Most restaurants and bars undergo changes through out the day. It may be switching from breakfast to dinner, or promoting lunch specials before switching to fine dinning, others may close their kitchens and remain open into the night. This isn’t the case at the Old Broadway Grill. Part of what makes the OB Grill unique is how much it changes. It may be a favorite spot to grab lunch for a middle age business man or for an older couple who live near downtown. These same people may not recognize the place or feel comfortable hanging around when the late crowd swarms in after dark.
Tiffany Finke is manager of the OB Grill and has spent time working at all three of the Old Broadway establishments including the Sports Zone, Grill and City Club.
Jason Laub, manager of the dinning and bar portion of the Hotel Donaldson, says they make similar changes, but to a lesser degree. “Food orders go down and drink orders go up.” Other changes he mentioned include a slight shift in music selection and a noticeable age change. “Both day and night we see so many regulars, that’s one thing that I really love about this place,” Laub added.
Even though the day and nighttime regulars at the OB Grill may not recognize their bar during the opposing time of day, the bar manages to keep everyone happy from open to close.
