Brian Kelley and Ty Thames bring the music, food, sports and good times from New Orleans to Starkville with the opening of their fourth restaurant establishment, Barrister’s Grill & Bar.
Residing in the former Whiskey Blues location, Barrister’s brings to Starkville a menu with a rather large variety of foods with a Cajun touch.
“It is a sports bar with good food and character,” Thames said.
Character is written on the wall with a mural continuing the New Orleans theme. Other accoutrements include 10 large, flat-screen televisions and a 10-by-15-foot projector screen to display your favorite sporting events.
For New Orleans football fans, Barrister’s features Saints memorabilia lining the walls, making it look like the place for Saints fans to enjoy some wings and beer while they cheer on the boys in black and gold. Not to mention, there will also be Mississippi State memorabilia to support the Bulldogs.
Barrister’s isn’t just your run-of-the-mill sports bar and grill, which is what the owners would like to express with their food. From crawfish nachos and an assortment of wings to authentic Cajun entrées and burgers, Thames promises to bring quality food to the table.
Describing the establishment, Kelley said, “[Barrister’s offers] chef quality food in a casual atmosphere.”
He said the cooks use the same quality foods they use to prepare entrées for Restaurant Tyler.
“We are using all local seafood,” Kelley said.
Barrister’s also hosts live musical acts to entertain patrons. The aim is to hire original jazz and blues musicians to go along with the New Orleans theme, but it won’t be limited to just those.
“We want to bring in high-quality bands and musicians that aren’t your average Starkville bar bands,” Barrister’s general manager Bart Lucius said.
Barrister’s also aims to have live music three nights a week.
Soon, smokers need not worry about having to go downstairs to enjoy a cigarette since Barrister’s has been approved by the Board of Alderman to construct a balcony overlooking Main Street. The balcony is set to be completed some time in the middle of the football season.
Barrister’s features happy hour from 4 to 7 p.m. every day which includes half-off appetizers. With its Friday and Saturday night specials, Barrister’s serves $1 long-neck domestic beers and white zinfandel wine. Saturday night also features $2 screwdrivers.
It will proudly be the only bar in Starkville to have Buzz Time trivia for the people who want to test their knowledge while enjoying an afternoon beverage.
For anybody curious about the bar’s name, Kelley said a barrister is an English lawyer who is admitted to plead at the bar.
A contest was held to design the Barrister’s logo. The chosen design was created by Melissa Dixon of Bluefish design. Dixon was awarded $500 bar tab as prize for her design.
Thames graduated from the New England Culinary Institute in Vermont and went on an apprenticeship under Chef Leonardo in Parma, Italy. He then moved to Washington D.C. to work at the Ritz Carlton Hotel, Georgetown Property before moving back to Starkville.
Barrister’s is Thames’ and Kelley’s fourth restaurant and bar. The duo’s other establishments are Bin 612, Rock Bottom Bar & Grill and Restaurant Tyler.