Neon bar signs are glowing again in the bar on Chimes Streetonce known as Ichabod’s, and people are taking notice.
The new North Gate Tavern is the product of three friends whowanted to take the old Ichabod’s location, which closed Feb. 28,and make it more universal.
“This place is a lot brighter — not only in color but inatmosphere,” said Patrick Johnson, bassist for local band PoorHarvey. “The new ownership is producing excitement in here.”
Sam Terito, Mac McCumsey and Joe Donahue bought the bar inMarch, and after two months of work opened it May 24 with a grandopening May 28.
“You’d be amazed at what a little paint can do,” Teritosaid.
Terito said overall old fans of Ichabod’s and newcomers havewelcomed the bar with open arms.
“The crowd is about half and half; there’s a lot of new faces,”McCumsey said.
Ichabod’s, which closed due to financial reasons after threeyears of business, was known throughout the community as the placeto go to hear local original music.
Changes to the bar include a freshly painted ceiling, floor andwalls, removing the booths for more room, additions to thebathrooms, new lighting and a patio area outside near thestage.
But the changes are not only physical.
Monday night is ladies’ night, Tuesday is open mic night andThursday through Saturday there will be live music.
“Nobody has ladies’ night on Monday night,” Terito said. “We getsome booty shaking on — a little 50 Cent on the hi-fi.”
Terito said North Gate Tavern is also changing theoriginal-music-only rule of Ichabod’s and allowing cover bands toplay.
“I want to give everybody an opportunity,” Terito said. “[Coverbands] love booking shows so they can play their original music.We’re trying to give both a shot.”
Johnson thinks the new owners are making wise decisions when itcomes to booking live bands.
“The original bands [they book] are pretty well rehearsed andwell known,” Johnson said. “In the past, if they were good or badit didn’t matter. I think what [the new owners] are going to haveis the cr����me de la cr����me of Baton Rouge bands.”
Johnson said the owners are taking a more professional approachto running the bar by trying to keep the business alive — not justcatering to what the public wants.
“People want a place that is more professional,” he said.
Terito said many old regulars of Ichabod’s have told him theylike the bar, but even those who have not told him anything keepcoming back.
“I miss Ichabod’s as much as everyone else does; the fact thatit’s not around is a sad thing,” he said. “We’re the same but we’retotally different.”
Terito said although the three are using the summer as alearning time, the bar is in full swing, and they have met alltheir goals.
“Everything to this point is better than we thought it’d be,” hesaid. “With the new apartments and shopping center, the north gatearea is going to become more than what it is now.”
With a grand opening featuring the bands Secret Black Societyand Gangster Folk and drawing in 250 to 300 people, Terito said itwas the biggest night they have had so far. But Terito said theyare drawing in large crowds on the weekends.
“Every weekend night was good,” he said. “I can’t complain.”
Johnson also is optimistic about the future of the bar.
“I think they made the right moves with the changes they’vemade,” he said. “I think it will be successful as long as theystick to their guts. I wish them luck.”