2021 Gumbo final - Book - Page 126
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the house
A
fter shutting its doors for nearly a year, The House
bar in Tigerland looks forward to re-opening
soon with a completely revamped look. Plans for
a renovation have been in the works since late 2019, after
co-owners Jeff Vaccaro and Casey Fields were inspired by the
modernity of bars in other towns like Tuscaloosa and Oxford.
They wanted to give LSU students a unique atmosphere that
no other bar in Baton Rouge has tried yet.
“Yeah [the bar] really needed an update,” Vaccaro said.
“Tigerland’s been around since the late ‘70s, and it’s been 20
to 30 years since anybody has done anything at all.”
With the world still in a pandemic, the bar had to find a
way to open under COVID-19 guidelines. Vaccaro and Fields
decided to pursue a conditional restaurant permit in order to
get The House back in operation.
“I think they should expect the same fun atmosphere,”
Fields said. “We’re just going to bring a classier aspect to
Tigerland because it does have a bad reputation and we’d
like to change that.”
Now equipped with a kitchen, the bar plans to sell pizza
and other foods. Although a restaurant-style bar wasn’t
in mind, the classification can allow a larger capacity and
generate a familiar atmosphere to the pre-pandemic
Tigerland. Even after COVID-19 guidelines lessen, Vaccaro
still plans to keep the kitchen around and get creative with
happy hour deals such as a slice-and-pint beer.
“We thought we should take advantage of this time that
we’re out of business due to restrictions and maximize this so
we can have great products and a new facility to push when
we come back,” Vaccaro said.
Fields said the team had been working with an architect
a few months prior to the global shutdown and figured
quarantine was the perfect time to close doors and officially
revamp The House. Contractor RMB Builders officially started
the project last May, stripping the bar down to four walls and
a roof. Everything from plumbing to electric was completely
replaced.
“I think [customers] can expect the same environment
and atmosphere. We’re going to treat you like family while
you’re here,” Vaccaro said. “And now, we’re just going to
have a facility on steroids. We have great bathrooms, a turf
patio, plenty of seating and we’ve even added a kitchen
during renovation.”
The bar itself has been refurbished with marble
countertops laid upon brick with a new frozen drink machine
behind the back. Outside, the bar has a patio lined with
turf along with wooden seating in one corner. The area also
provides an outside bar, a small stage and a finishing touch
of string lights overhead.
Vaccaro’s favorite part of the renovation has actually been
the bathrooms. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, complaints
were made about only half of the toilets working. Now, both
the mens’ and womens bathrooms boast nine stalls and new
floors. The womens bathroom even features pink walls and
LED-lit signs.
With Gov. John Bel Edwards moving the state to Phase
3, restaurants will be able to host 75% capacity inside. The
House will consist of a 40-person crew, all with a raise in pay
since the pandemic started.
The House still plans to take COVID-19 precautions
seriously though, requiring all customers to wear masks
upon entry and until they’re seated. They will also perform
temperature checks at the doors and require employees to
wear masks at all times.
Renovations of The House will not stop here. The owners
plan to re-open the upstairs, called “The Attic,” later this year
after restrictions lessen.
“You’re going to get the best of both worlds. A great
facility and the old House that everybody loves.”
The House will officially open on Sunday, Feb 7.
A Tigerland staple, The House bar,
undergoes a revamp.