EXPERIENCE
Pints & Union, a
‘Real’ European
Public House, Set
to Open in June
Pints & Union
114 E. MARKET ST.
NEW ALBANY
@PINTSNUNION ON FACEBOOK
OPENING SOON
BY KEVIN GIBSON | PHOTO BY CHRISTIAN WATSON
Joe Phillips nearly gushes when he talks about
Pints & Union, his forthcoming project that will
soon open in downtown New Albany.
As someone who longs for the European-style
pub – not the local bar or brewery featuring tap
takeovers and weekly craft beer releases – he will
find escape within the environs of the new public
house. He believes others will too.
It will be a place of reflection and conversation,
with twice-weekly beer discussions over pints of
Guinness and Fuller’s London Pride with beer
director Roger Baylor, other discussion groups,
art and more.
“It will be a public house – like, a real one,”
Phillips said.
The circa-1880 space certainly will look the
part, with exposed brick and wood accents, ornate
chandeliers, mix-and-match furniture, and even a
vintage pay phone (yes, it works). An upstairs loft
will overlook the main bar area, complete with
ornate railing. The bar is 30 feet long, while the
space totals roughly 2,000 square feet.
Originally a general store known as the Yankee
Doodle store, the building was for years a bar called
Love’s. The space has been completely gutted and
renovated, so it won’t bear a resemblance to its
predecessors.
There will be traditional bar and pub-style seating
upstairs and down, but there also will be lounge
areas, not to mention a fire place, a true staple of
24 EXTOL : JUNE/JULY 2018
a European public house. House music will lean
toward British, with themed playlists on weekends.
Upstairs, there will be a small library for those who
want to simply sit and read. The collection of décor
and seating will be organically eclectic.
“I’m spending a ridiculous amount of time at
auctions, finding chairs like you’d see at grandma’s
house,” Phillips said. “Pub seating should be
personal, not impersonal.”
He said the menu will be succinct, with six to
nine core items and other rotating specials based
on season and availability. As many ingredients as
possible will be sourced from the nearby farmers
market.
“We want to go down there and grab a handful
of stuff, and when it’s gone, it’s gone,” Phillips said.
He wouldn’t reveal the core menu but described it
as “internationally-inspired street food.”
In fact, Pints & Union will be open on Saturday
mornings while the market is open for the stray
shopper who wants to step inside for a pint. Sundays
will feature a “hangover menu” – “Our version of
brunch,” Phillips said – while Wednesdays will
feature $10 select bottles of wine and raclette, a
Swiss dish made up of seasonal pickles, bread,
vegetables and sausages, topped with warmed
cheese.
“It’s approachable and no one is doing it,” Phillips
said. “You can’t lose. It’s (really) good.”
Baylor’s beer list will feature staples Anchor
Porter, Bell’s Two Hearted Ale, Pilsner Urquell,
Weihenstephaner Hefe Weissbier, Upland
Champagne Velvet and Thomas Family Winery
cider, as well as the aforementioned Guinness and
Fuller’s. Several rotating tap lines will be filled by
seasonal craft and import beers. About 20 or so
import bottle selections will be available as well,
and there will be a full bar for those who prefer an
Irish whisky or some other spirit.
When it’s all said and done, Pints & Union will
strive for accessibility to anyone who happens to
step inside. Not a place to watch the big game,
the public house will cater to those who want
discussion and education.
Phillips said he expects to do a soft open
sometime in mid-June, with a public opening
immediately afterward. Hours will be 4 p.m.-
midnight Tuesday through Thursday, 4 p.m.-1:30
a.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. to whenever
on Sunday.
“If it’s banging at 10 (at night) on a Sunday, we’ll
stay open,” Phillips said.
Pints & Union is located at 114 E. Market St.
in downtown New Albany, not far from the city’s
bustling restaurant and bar scene, such as the
popular Gospel Bird, Exchange Pub + Kitchen, Hull
and High Water and more. But Phillips promises
his new establishment will be a different animal.
“We’re just going to do fun stuff, have fun,”
Phillips said. “Be Bohemian.”