Fire, drunk driver, COVID, flood can’t keep this Central Kentucky honky-tonk bar down
A fire, a drunk driver, a pandemic and historic flooding — all have been hurdles that Raela and Anthony Phoenix have had to clear since opening the Richmond-based honky tonk Bluegrass Barrel House (BBH) in 2016.
But rather than crumbling in the face of adversity, they’ve grown in spite of it.
After the original BBH burnt down in July 2018 due to an electrical fire, the bar closed for five months to rebuild at the same location. Shortly after, a drunk driver plowed through a fence on the property. Then financial strains from the COVID-19 pandemic began to threaten the bar’s existence.
Making matters worse, historic flooding this past March caused significant damage to the Phoenix’s home along the Kentucky River.
“The only reason the bar has been able to survive during the pandemic is because of our amazing staff, which has been able to juggle and adapt to COVID-19 restrictions on the fly while still providing a fun atmosphere that keeps people wanting to return,” said Phoenix. “My brother and General Manager Jason (Hunt) has also been my right hand man through the pandemic and transition to the new place. I couldn’t have done this without him.”
A stained glass window depicting a phoenix rising from the ashes — a play on both the owner’s names, the fire that previously plagued them and the mythological phrase — now sits behind the bar at BBH commemorating those hurdles and how its owners always find a way to bounce back. The artwork was created by Tim Fifield, who also owns BBH’s building.
Shortly after reopening from the fire, Raela heard from the Fifields about becoming partners in the century old building at 701 East Irvine St. With plans for a brewery in the basement of the 4,000-square-foot structure and a private event space on the second floor, the Fifields saw BBH as the perfect tenant for the ground level. Quickly Phoenix was on board.
As for the bar, BBH features a game room with skeeball, pool and dart boards; over a dozen TVs and an indoor stage that hosts live country music Monday-Saturday. There’s also a large outdoor patio that with an outdoor bar and stage built for music as well.
Country music shows are booked by Larry Frakes with sound run by Dwayne King, who for 19 years worked as the technical director at Renfro Valley for the likes of Ted Nugent, Merle Haggard and other legendary artists. The result is one of the best sounding rooms in the Central Kentucky according to Phoenix, who added that the venue has recently had COVID sellout shows with both Michigan-based singer-songwriter Whitey Morgan and Arkansas born Ward Davis.
“My friends, family and I all love live music. We needed a stage for music in Richmond badly, and if the community’s support is any indication they agree,” said Phoenix.
Another feature unique to BBH is a “Veterans’ Wall” lined with pictures of family members and bar patrons who’ve served the country including Anthony Phoenix, a Captain in the U.S. Army Reserves since 2014 who was stationed in Kuwait and Jordan until last summer. As a veteran-owned business, thanking those who have and continue to put their lives on the line defending the country is a matter dear to the Phoenix’s hearts and something they’re proud to bring attention to.
“Anthony and I both come from military families. I’m incredibly proud of him and everyone else who has and continues to serve,” said Phoenix. It’s because of them that we have the freedom and liberties to have this bar and live out our American Dream.”
Bluegrass Barrel House
Where: 701 East Irvine St., Richmond
Hours: Monday-Friday 4 p.m.-midnight; Saturday 2 p.m.-midnight; closed Sunday
Online: BbhRichmondKy.com