London Bridge to close?

[BridgeTroll]

Well that is good to hear... if anybody can make that place work it is Ian.  Why... I remember... back in the day... when Ian was the best bartender and manager London Bridge ever had.  I am a fan!

[mtraininjax]

“Burro Bar” is scheduled to open in time for the May 4 Art Walk in the former London Bridge Pub at Ocean and Adams streets.

You know what they say about flattery....Burrito Gallery....

[904Scars]

Well that is good to hear... if anybody can make that place work it is Ian.  Why... I remember... back in the day... when Ian was the best bartender and manager London Bridge ever had.  I am a fan!

Troll, I couldn't agree with you more! Ian is a stand up guy and definitely knows a thing or two about running a bar. I'm good friends with the guys from Burro too, so this is something I'll be keeping a close eye on.

For those of you who have Facebook, they already have a page setup under "Burro Bar" Check It Out! Jack is pretty good about keeping the masses up to date on the building process. He actually just posted that the 20 taps are in and ready for beer flow! 

[David]

Maryanne was telling me about this at BG the other night. I'm pretty psyched to hear about it!

That corner just doesn't feel the same without something being in the former London Bridge spot. It's been around for so long.

[Jaxson]

“Burro Bar” is scheduled to open in time for the May 4 Art Walk in the former London Bridge Pub at Ocean and Adams streets.

You know what they say about flattery....Burrito Gallery....

Surely, you jest.  Right?  Isn't the Burro Bar by the people who gave us Burro Bags?  Not a copycat in the bunch! : )

[904Scars]

Ya the guys from Burro Bags are in on it as well. Jack "Diablo" is the one running the Facebook page, currently keeping the masses informed.

[mtraininjax]

Yeah.  Burro Bags is a completely unrelated name.

Thank you for that scintillating observation! Wow!!!

[danno]

What if they serve a Burro'rito?

[SarahTay]

“Burro Bar” is scheduled to open in time for the May 4 Art Walk in the former London Bridge Pub at Ocean and Adams streets.

“It’s going to be a live music venue that serves beer and wine rather than a beer and wine bar that has bands,” he said.

To see the new products and other updates on the Burro Bags line of accessories, visit the retail store at 228 E. Forsyth St. across from the Yates Building or www.burrobags.com.

http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/downtowntoday.php?dt_date=2011-03-30

Does Ian R. have anything to do with this?  Great news BTW!!

From my understanding YES, Ian is playing a role in all of this! From what I've heard they plan on turning the place into two seperate sections (still connected) so that bar patrons can come enjoy the bar and not pay for the door cover if a band is playing they don't care to see. I think it's a pretty good idea, as there have been several times I've walked away from Lomax because I just wanted to grab a drink and there was a $5 door cover due to Hip Hop Hell or some other event.

Just saw this up. Should help with the Ian R. inquiries...
http://jacksonville.com/business/2011-04-04/story/jacksonville-company-burro-bags-now-adds-bar-its-expanding-repertoire

[JackDiablo]

Hell yeah, the rumor mill is steady rolling, that's what I like to see!

@904scars clued me in to this thread and I'm stoked to answer some of your questions before the Grand Opening when you can see for yourself.

The important stuff first:

Ian approached Burro with the prospect of re-opening the former London Bridge. With all of his experience running our two favorite Jacksonville bars, there was really no way we could refuse. The bar is a partnership between Ian and Marianne, Burro Bags, Jack Diablo and Matt Hume. We will all play our roles in ensuring that Burro Bar is the best in town. Ian will be keeping the best beers and wines stocked (yep, 20 taps!), Matt is managing the bar and staff, Burro will lord over the design, look and feel, and Jack Diablo (myself) will manage the programming and entertainment.

It will combine elements of Shantytown and Lomax with a focus on music closer to, but with a much different philosophy than Jack Rabbits. It will be not be a carbon copy of any establishment currently operating in Jacksonville, that I can promise.

We've already begun addressing the interior. We are having a pro beer system installed with 20 taps. We'll have the cheap stuff and the fancy stuff. We'll be changing the seating up a bit, doing new flooring where there was carpet, expanding the stage, getting a better soundsystem, etc, etc. We are also having our favorite local artists go nuts on the walls. We have worked with some amazing artists over the years and their designs, illustrations, etc. have contributed to all that is Burro. It only felt right that our new bar should be consistent with that aesthetic.

Grand Opening will be May 4th at Art Walk. We'll be "quietly" soft opening as soon as we get everything complete. I have 5-6 bands lined up thus far including some local faves and Bad Dream a psych/stoner metal band from Brooklyn, NY.

Beyond that you'll pretty much have to wait and see...

[904Scars]

Jack, glad you could join us! I think you'll find the majority of the member's opinions quite helpful. There is a strong passion for downtown and the 'urban core' on the forum that I know you and I both share.

[Captain Zissou]

I love the idea of crazy artwork inside.  The mural at Shantytown is amazing.  More of that is needed in our city.  This sounds like an awesome venue.  I may not be a huge fan of all the bands, but I'll regularly post up in the front room and down some of 'the fancy stuff'.

[blizz01]

local faves = Evergreen Terrace?

[buckethead]

Did you know...

"Diablo is Spanish for like... fighting chicken."

[BridgeTroll]

Hell yeah, the rumor mill is steady rolling, that's what I like to see!

@904scars clued me in to this thread and I'm stoked to answer some of your questions before the Grand Opening when you can see for yourself.

The important stuff first:

Ian approached Burro with the prospect of re-opening the former London Bridge. With all of his experience running our two favorite Jacksonville bars, there was really no way we could refuse. The bar is a partnership between Ian and Marianne, Burro Bags, Jack Diablo and Matt Hume. We will all play our roles in ensuring that Burro Bar is the best in town. Ian will be keeping the best beers and wines stocked (yep, 20 taps!), Matt is managing the bar and staff, Burro will lord over the design, look and feel, and Jack Diablo (myself) will manage the programming and entertainment.

It will combine elements of Shantytown and Lomax with a focus on music closer to, but with a much different philosophy than Jack Rabbits. It will be not be a carbon copy of any establishment currently operating in Jacksonville, that I can promise.

We've already begun addressing the interior. We are having a pro beer system installed with 20 taps. We'll have the cheap stuff and the fancy stuff. We'll be changing the seating up a bit, doing new flooring where there was carpet, expanding the stage, getting a better soundsystem, etc, etc. We are also having our favorite local artists go nuts on the walls. We have worked with some amazing artists over the years and their designs, illustrations, etc. have contributed to all that is Burro. It only felt right that our new bar should be consistent with that aesthetic.

Grand Opening will be May 4th at Art Walk. We'll be "quietly" soft opening as soon as we get everything complete. I have 5-6 bands lined up thus far including some local faves and Bad Dream a psych/stoner metal band from Brooklyn, NY.

Beyond that you'll pretty much have to wait and see...

Thanks for the info Jack... Keep posting!