A new spot for cheap drinks is coming to downtown Bentonville, but you’ll have to be patient.
Sometime before the end of the year, Kyle Reidy plans to open Fry at 100 SW 2nd Street. The location is next to The First Seat Pub & Grill and accessible only through an alley.
Reidy was previously co-owner of The Dive, a no-frills bar that closed in December. He’s been involved in several other bar and restaurant projects in Northwest Arkansas, but this one is different.
“I can’t help but to be so excited,” Reidy said. “For one, it's my first project that's just me, and I'm the only one calling the shots.”
The Dive’s former location is now home to The Barber, named for the building’s history as a barbershop. Coincidentally, Reidy’s new spot was most recently Illume Barbershop, which has since relocated to 2903 S. Walton Blvd., Suite 5.
Because of Reidy’s background, some locals may assume that Fry will be The Dive 2.0. But there are some differences.
For one, the space is about twice the size as The Dive. A patio space will be shared with Ozark Mountain Bagel Company, and a food truck will operate out front. Inside, a small stage is planned for DJs and dancing. Coffee will be served in the mornings before the bar transitions to alcoholic drinks later in the day.
The common thread between The Dive and Fry will be the emphasis on affordable drinks. And what counts as affordable?
Reidy says he’ll go as cheap as possible while maintaining standards and taking care of employees.
“If I can sell a full glass of wine for $6, I don't think anybody else is doing that. If I can sell a tall boy for $2.50 or $3, that's what I'll do,” he said. “I just want people to be able to get a mixed drink that's not double-digits, you know?”
The bar’s name is inspired by seahorses (baby seahorses are called “fry”).
“I feel like some people wish that I had an interesting story. I just love seahorses. A ‘fry’ is a baby seahorse, and it stuck with me. And I dug the name,” Reidy said.
The first announcement about the bar went live about a week and a half ago. While the bar’s opening is still at least a few months away, Reidy said people already seem excited.
“The next time I left my house after that, it's like everything was different,” he said. “I would just go out to the grocery store or the post office, bank, whatever, and all these people are telling me that they're so excited about a place like this.”
The bar’s Instagram account is @fry_bentonville.
