Why is it so hard to find a quiet and calm place to eat, drink and talk? It seems that many eating establishments today prioritize a dining experience that focuses on the boisterous instant action of news, sports, and pop culture.
Not so at the American Barrel. Located at 118 W. Seventh St., in the heart of the ever-expanding Columbia Public Square. This “Cocktail Cafe” is a hot spot for a quick bite or quench, and its vision is as retro as its aesthetics.
Proprietor Nathan Close, formerly of the U.S. Marine Reserves and later a police officer in the states of Arizona and Tennessee, began this entrepreneurial endeavor in December 2022. Reflecting that the restaurant is “really a work of God’s providence,” he went on to say that walking through the Columbia Square kept reinforcing to him that this was a prime place for him to go all in on a business venture. As he “saw all the great spaces available” and their “potential” for development, he told Main Street Maury, that he found his “first real opportunity” to do something new and exciting. In his own words: “I jumped on it”.
This leap of faith grounded in hard work, long hours, quality products, and superb service, has helped cement the Barrel as a “Square regular.” As customers walk in, they are hit by a nostalgic blast from the past, Ernest Hemingway’s “Clean, Well Lighted Place” with tables, lounge area, a bar stocked with top shelf hooch and the sights, scents and sounds of a 1920s and 30s Jazz bar. Another element that brings about an almost instantaneous yearning for yesteryears is the welcome sight of people in actual, face to face conversation, laughing and enjoying the company of others.
Close made it clear that he has intentionally cultivated such an atmosphere and ethos for his restaurant.
“I want people to come here and enjoy conversation, connect with others, have good food and drinks, not be distracted by screens,” Close said. “We’re not a sports bar; we’re a throwback to an earlier time. A time when people were the priority. So I built a place that fosters and tries to build community.”
This focus on people rather than propaganda and community rather than commercialization, is a tangible expression that can’t be missed at the Barrel. The soft Jazz floating through the place would make Louis Armstrong proud of this “Wonderful World,” just as the old and new industrial wall décor with period wainscoting takes visitors back to time in which it was normal to sit with friends for a sip and sup or just to make new acquaintances and find out what’s up.
As to sipping and supping, the American Barrel has it covered. Their full menu, available at AmericanBarrelcafe.com has enough substance to make for some good, solid meals and has enough appetizer and snack options to keep guests enthralled and coming back for a favorite or to try something new.
In this department, the best selling bourbon bites are a crowd pleaser, but the carnivore and herbivore tapas are great with the option for bread or gluten-free crackers, and the steak sandwich packs a real meal punch. Proprietor’s choice on the food though is the All American (an all beef) Chili Cheese Dog.
The drink selection is extensive. The Scotch family straight up is a campfire in a cup with all the varieties at play. But pretty much whatever one wants in a liquor licensed establishment is here. Top selling drinks are the classic Old Fashioned and the Espresso Martini. However, the proprietor’s pick is a New Orleans style cocktail, the Vieux Carre, in which cognac plays a pivotal part in producing a uniquely complex drink.
Raising the bar in so many ways, the Barrel is a classic Seventh Street stop off with excellent eats, drinks, service, atmosphere, and a philosophy that focuses on human connections rather than screens clamoring for attention. The proprietor and staff are always friendly and helpful; the nostalgia is palpable; and the place is a pleasure to visit.
If you’re in the area and need a bite and sip, look no further.