The Keswick is the latest bar to open in Shelby Park and it’s a throwback to 1953.
Owners Ryan and Rachel Cohee transitioned their restaurant Red Top Hotdogs (1127 Logan St.) into a bar after closing it last September.
The bar’s name pays homage to a historic social club from 1953.
Photo by @thekeswickclub
The new, loosely themed Appalachian dive bar pays homage to the historic Keswick Democratic Club (KDC) that operated in the building from 1953 to 2016. The Keswick also joins the growing list of throwback bars in the community — like Hauck’s Corner and The Merryweather .
While the brick-and-mortar is gone, the Red Top food truck is not. You can still get one of its gourmet dogs at The Keswick. Plus, because the space has a kitchen onsite, expect pop-ups from other restaurants around the city. On Saturday, Jan. 21 River City Supper Club will dish out fried chicken, a nod to the former Saturday chicken dinners the KDC used to sling.
The bar plans to have a cocktail menu in the future.
Photo by @thekeswickclub
Speaking of the bar, it will offer local craft beer, boozy slushies, canned wine, domestic beer, and seltzers.
Eventually, The Keswick plans to have live bluegrass and country music, and even more eventually, host punk shows like the KDC did in the early-to-mid-2000s .
Bonus: You can listen to tunes on the jukebox from the former T. Eddie’s Bar & Grill, which is now Atrium Brewing one block away.
Much like Red Top Hotdogs, ping pong will still be a part of the culture. The bar hopes to host tournaments in addition to having darts, video games, and a foosball table.
The Keswick is open Wednesday-Friday, 4 p.m.-12 a.m. and Saturday-Sunday, 1 p.m.-12 a.m.
Want to know more about Shelby Park’s growing nightlife? Check out the recently opened Canary Club .