Law Bird named one of USA TODAY’s Best Bars of 2024: Video
Law Bird in Columbus, Ohio, was named Bar of the Year by USA Today. The bar is known for its rotating selection of cocktails and pop-up themes.
What’s next for Little Rock Bar?
This question has been on the minds of many Italian Village residents since owner Quinn Fallon announced that the bar will close on August 18 after 11 years.
Summer Stepp and Taylor Bryant, owners of Thirsty’s Pub in Galloway, have the answer. The owners of the bar at 5668 W. Broad St. will transform the Little Rock bar into the second Thirsty’s Pub.
“At some point we knew we wanted another bar, and when they approached us about the opportunity, we just jumped at the opportunity,” Stepp said.
The couple said they decided to open the second location in Italian Village because the friendly neighborhood atmosphere matches that of the Galloway location.
“We just love the Italian Village, the atmosphere, the walking paths, the diversity,” Bryant said. “Especially this bar; it’s a place where everyone is welcome and we want to keep it that way.”
Stepp and Bryant said the location will remain closed until remodeling and renovations are completed, but they expect to be open during football season.
Thirsty’s will serve as an additional small eatery in Italian Village, and the owners hope it will remain a social gathering place. The couple said they plan to devote most of their time to building strong ties with the community.
“I hope they love us as much as they loved Little Rock,” Bryant said. “We’re really excited, but also nervous.”
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Meet the new owners
Stepp, 42, and Bryant, 44 – also known as “Mama and Papa Thirst” – have owned Thirsty’s Pub on Columbus’s West Side since 2020. Although the friendly neighborhood pub is now known to many in Galloway, the couple said they got off to a rough start when the pandemic forced them to close six weeks after opening.
“It was almost like one of those big openings and closings,” Stepp said. “We put all our money into that bar. We had no savings and we got no help. It was super hard, but we’re super proud of what we’ve accomplished since then.”
The couple, who have been working as bartenders since their student days, believe that bar culture is all about being an anchor for locals and a place to socialise and have fun.
And what do they like best? They are the community’s confidant.
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“One day we’re a therapist and the next day we’re a friend,” Stepp said. “Since we’ve been in the business, we’ve been able to form friendships that have turned into a family.”
The couple are also fathers of two young children and said they are ready to tackle any challenges that come with juggling two locations.
“Our biggest hurdle is our two young children,” Bryant said. “We already know what it’s like to have a full workload. It’s beautiful and challenging, but we can do it.”
Upcoming changes for Thirsty’s Pub
Unlike the Little Rock Bar, Stepp and Bryant want to cater more to the sports fans who live in the Italian Village. Additional televisions will be installed to show more games.
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“We love sports and this is a huge sports community, so we want this to be a place where people can watch the game,” Bryant said.
Although the couple does not plan to have live music throughout, the bar will feature a jukebox, dartboards and a pool table.
Thirsty’s also holds regular draws for the “Queen of Hearts”.
The new owners said they are excited to see what additional services they can offer with roof space and a large kitchen – something they didn’t have at their first location.
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They also said about 14 Little Rock Bar employees will be returning to work for them. Stepp said she will take suggestions from the returning employees on how to preserve the bar’s heritage.
“The employees make the business, you know, and we have a great team,” said Stepp.
Thirsty’s will maintain regular hours at the second location, from noon to 2 a.m. daily.
