After nine months of almost completely rebuilding one of Juneau’s oldest hangouts, the city’s newest bar is just days away from opening.
The Narrows, which takes the place of the historic Arctic Bar, has a public event Sunday night and fully opens its doors Monday. Jared Curé, the bar’s owner, pointed out that Monday’s opening will be nine months to the day from when he bought the bar.
Located at the corner of Franklin Street and Front Street, the bar will offer patrons craft cocktails, as well as a good selection of wine and beer. Curé, a Juneau resident, noticed that there’s not a bar in town that focuses solely on specialty cocktails.
“There’s just a lot of different techniques that people aren’t really doing in town,” Curé said, “and because we’re focused solely on craft cocktails, we can really do some cool stuff in here.”
Curé’s birthday is Saturday, and he’s having a private event that night for friends and family. On Sunday, from 6-9 p.m., the bar is holding a public fundraiser for the Cape Decision Lighthouse at the bar. Anyone of legal age can purchase a $15 ticket and enter for an event that includes trivia and drinks.
On Monday, the bar will open to the public in the evening, Curé said. An exact time hasn’t been nailed down yet, but the bar will be open seven days a week from then on. Curé foresees the bar opening during the evenings for now, but possibly opening up earlier as the summer approaches.
Food will be available in small portions, as Curé envisions charcuterie boards and desserts as culinary options. There’s not a kitchen on site, but there are refrigerators that will hold a supply of food.
The Narrows’ interior looks totally different than the historic Arctic Bar, which was established in 1910. It now has higher ceilings, larger front windows, a new brick wall and a totally refurbished bar area. Curé’s keeping the windows covered until the bar opens, but even without natural light, the interior is brighter and warmer than the previous setup.
Not all of the supplies will be shipped into town until late next week, but Curé is looking forward to getting started.
“As the weeks roll on, we’ll be able to get a little fancier,” Curé said. “Initially, just getting some beer and regular cocktails out the door will be good. Then ongoing, the idea is all fresh ingredients, so squeezing all our citrus every day, not doing the easy way out and pouring something out of a bottle.”
• Contact reporter Alex McCarthy at 523-2271 or alex.mccarthy@juneauempire.com.
233; talks on Thursday about the rebuilding the former Arctic Bar he is naming The Narrows. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Jared Cur&
233; shows a picture on Thursday of the former Arctic Bar gutted down to the studs. The rebuilt bar is to open to the public on Monday and will be called The Narrows. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Jake Lapenter works under new walnut shelving at the new bar called The Narrows on Thursday. The bar opens to the public on Monday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
