A recent trip to the soon-to-open HandleBar @ The Hub was a real eye opener. The pub is coming along nicely, and will soon be a handsome cyclist paradise in downtown Buffalo.

The pub is being built out on the ground floor of Schneider Development’s Apartments at The Hub building (see here). In order to fill out the first floor, a second business called The Bike Shop has already set up shop and is currently open. In-between the two businesses is a fitness facility where cyclists can tone up as they get their bikes tuned up. It’s a pretty sweet scenario, that will be relatively seamless when all businesses are open – a clear garage door allows for inner connectivity between the shop and the pub.

After taking a closer look at the HandlBar Pub, I found myself intrigued with some of the aesthetic and functional dynamics that have been incorporated into the design by owners Evan Thompson and Sarah Schneider.

Loads of windows, bike parts fashioned into the bar and lighting elements, a bike rack corral, patio, green landscaped parking lot, stylish bar stools and booths… there’s a lot of thought going into each and every aspect of the business. It was Evan who toured me around the building, and Sarah was kind enough to answer a few of my questions:

The food offerings are intended to get visitors (cyclists) fueled up and ready for action. Can you give me a couple of examples?

We plan to have gourmet loaded potatoes, pizza, salads and desserts.

As for beer, how many tap handles, and what is the range of beer, or concentration of styles?

12 tap handles. All craft beers. Lots of local. We’ll be featuring Flying Bison, Resurgence, Community Beer Works and Hamburg Brew Company beer for sure!