PORT ANGELES — Galen Hammond had a vision of creating a Port Angeles nightspot that stays open late, serves quality food and caters to an eclectic clientele.
Five years later, the 28-year-old Port Angeles man has opened the kind of place where he and his friends would want to hang out — Bar N9ne Pizzeria & Lounge — at 229 W. First St.
“I have dreamed of this for a long time,” said Hammond, who opened on Thursday.
Hammond, his wife, Noi Chuammalang, and sister, Ann, co-own the downtown bar. The same group owns and works at Sabai Thai, 903 W. Eight Street, Port Angeles.
Hammond envisions Bar N9ne as a “home away from home,” a place for people to gather for happy hour after work, dine with friends and family or party with the late-night crowd.
Open ’til 2 a.m.
Bar N9ne is open daily from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m., with food available until closing time.
Even if business is slow, Hammond said: “We’ll be here. We’ll always be open.”
The new bar is located at the former home of the Lyre’s Club and, prior to that, the Crazy Fish Baja and Beyond.
Lyre’s Club owner Stephanie Anthony closed last November because of the depressed economy.
Hammond had considered expanding Sabai Thai but decided to move his dream bar downtown. He hopes to put an end to the revolving door of tenants.
“We want to be here long term,” he said.
The interior of Bar N9ne looks nothing like the Lyre’s Club.
Interior remodeled
Hammond added a significant seating by gutting the place and starting over.
“We’re doing it right the first time,” he said.
About 300 square feet were added to what is now a 2,600-square-foot interior by ripping out the back wall and adding a pool room with couches, stools and a second women’s rest room.
Hammond said the new design has a “flow” that was lacking in the old design. The walls have a fresh coat of paint, with a bamboo painting near the bar. The bar itself was lengthened by 20 feet.
“It’s a lot larger,” Hammond said.
“The whole place just works so much better than it used to be.”
Four flat screen televisions were added throughout the bar, and the men’s room was improved.
Happy hour runs daily from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. with $2 tap beers and $3 cocktails.
Eclectic food
A self-described “foodie,” Hammond’s menu was inspired by some of the places he and his wife have traveled to. The menu features a blend of Sabai Thai and pub cuisine.
Bar N9ne serves $5 plates of pub, cajun or Bangkok (peanut sauce) fries, along with spring rolls, fried mozzarella, salads and crab rangoon.
The specialty menu features burgers, bruschetta, nachos, pineapple chicken curry or a crispy duck quesadilla ranging from $6 to $9.
Specialty and build-your-own pizzas will come in 8-, 12- and 16-inch sizes.
Chef consultant Steve McNabb trained the new cooks. Hammond said opened with about six employees.
Nine draft beers and 30 bottled beers ranging from Bud Light to Guinness are on the menu.
Thirteen wines — eight reds and five whites — complement the sake and champagne.
Cocktails going for $6.50 will be served with fresh juices. A 48-ounce “fish bowl” will be served in a take-home glass.
Dim lights, crank up music at 9
Bar N9ne gets its name from its nightly transformation at 9 p.m. Staff will dim the lights and crank up the music as happy hour morphs into a party.
Food on the $5 menu and pizza slices will be served until closing time.
Special events are planned for every night of the week. They are:
• Monday: Free pool.
• Tuesday: Drink specials and game night.
• Wednesday: Karaoke.
• Thursday: Open mic night.
• Friday and Saturday: Live music and dancing.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.