A new restaurant in Starkville is giving patrons a chance to enjoy top-drawer food in a unique environment. Rock Bottom Bar and Grill opened on University Drive four months ago in the building that previously housed Tonic, a martini bar that closed its doors earlier this year. Bryan Kelley, a local attorney, and experienced professional chef Ty Thames own Rock Bottom. The pair also runs Bin 612, an Italian restaurant located just across the street from their new creation. While Rock Bottom still strives to provide its patrons with good food and drink, the atmosphere is undeniably different. With Rock Bottom, Thames attempts to recreate the rugged, outdoor atmosphere that he experienced while attending culinary school in Vermont.
“It’s a mountain-themed bar with rustic food. The bar is themed after the outdoors,” Thames said.
The bar’s dcor includes outdoor sports equipment and memorabilia recalling Thames’ days of snowboarding and kayaking in Vermont. Thames said he hopes that Mississippians, known for their love of hunting, fishing, and the outdoors, will find the atmosphere attractive. The atmosphere isn’t the only thing that brings the rugged outdoors to mind. Rock Bottom’s signature dish burgers replicate the rustic feel.
“The burgers are really, really good,” Thames said. “I’ve never had a complaint. They’re different; outside the norm.”
Thames attended the New England Culinary Institute and graduated No. 1 in his class. He also spent a year cooking in Parma, Italy, before Kelley called him to come down and put his talents to use at Bin 612. With Rock Bottom’s burgers, Thames uses only high quality ingredients. Each burger is made with Black Angus beef and cheese directly from Mississippi State University.
“We try to bring in the school as much as possible,” Thames said.
Rock Bottom’s menu also includes chicken sandwiches and portobello mushroom sandwiches for vegetarians. The new eatery also has a broad selection of drinks.
“We have a few specialty drinks,” Thames said. “We have any drink you can think of as far as the bar goes.”
One of Rock Bottom’s distinctions is serving beer in 16-ounce cans rather than the more common 12-ounce cans.
Rock Bottom also has drink specials three to five days a week. Right now customers can get a Blue Moon beer for just a penny with any food purchase.
Rock Bottom is open from 3 p.m. to midnight Monday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday. They are also open for lunch on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Rock Bottom is located beside Up Your Alley Tamales and Margaritas on University Drive.