First look: The Tavern at The Precinct

The new all-wood main bar has detailed carvings from the 1890s in a room with stained glass and touches of other antiques. (Credit: Thomas E. Smith | Special to Metromix)

After a late meeting on the East Side and feeling too old for Mount Lookout bars and too young to just go home on a Friday night, a friend and I headed to Columbia Tusculum for drinks and live music at The Precinct.

We all know The Precinct for great steaks, raw bar selections and strong drinks. Maybe you went once or maybe you are lucky enough to have been a regular, but Jeff Ruby wanted to make sure you keep coming back by adding a new bar area and patio lounge.

The vibe: The Tavern at The Precinct is Jeff Ruby’s twist on a small neighborhood pub. There is a beautiful, all-wood bar with detailed carvings from the 1890s, stained-glass décor and touches of other antiques that Mr. Ruby has collected over the years. It is low lit and mirrors the Precinct dining room’s darker feel.

There is a mix of high-top tables and cozy booths lining the bar area along with a 10-seat bar. We were lucky enough to snag the last two seats at the bar and made ourselves comfortable. The live music was just loud enough to enjoy and just soft enough that my friend and I could carry on a conversation.

The drinks: What to drink? There wasn’t a cocktail menu yet but the wine list was extensive (as you would expect from a Ruby restaurant). After much debate of wine verses cocktail verses beer, my friend decided on a Pomopolitan – pomegranate cosmo ($11.50) and I had the bartender create a fruity vodka cocktail of her choice ($11) that was blue with a raspberry and orange flavor. The bartenders know what they are doing!

As we sipped our expensive cocktails, we were entertained by the music and people watching. The crowd was a mix of couples, businessmen and friends gathering; some waiting for a dinner table and others there just for the bar scene. The Tavern itself is a reason to come to The Precinct.

The food: Halfway through our drinks we decided to get something to eat as well. I was chatting with a manager and he suggested the Alaskan King Crab Brulee ($14). Oh my, it was fabulous! There was boursin cheese, caramelized onions and a crunchy crust with adobo lime zest tortilla chips. This dip is worth a trip back.

There will be a bar menu exclusive to the Tavern including wings, a burger and other ideas not yet fully developed. The full regular menu is also available.

The verdict: The Precinct is no longer just for special occasions. The Tavern was hopping on a Tuesday and a Friday night and is sure to become a destination for a fun night out.