Newest Tri-Cities bar and grill opens in former downtown brewery
A utility-themed bar and grill with a pool table and virtual golf simulators opens Friday in the former home of the Ice Harbor Brewery in downtown Kennewick.
Bucketz Bar and Grill retains the industrial spirit of its predecessor, but with an update that gives it the feel of a clubhouse for line workers.
That’s no accident.
Owners Nate Fitzpatrick and Steve Shidal didn’t lease the 1940-built warehouse to open a bar and grill. They needed a new home for another business, Elite, which provides line services to Ziply and other customers in Washington and the Mountain West region.
Elite relocated from Richand’s Horn Rapids area into the old warehouse’s basement offices and secured yard for their trucks and gear.
Comfortably casual
Fitzpatrick and Shidal looked it over and saw the possibility of running their own bar serving the public and the 30 or so people they employ.
“Why not?” Fitzpatrick said, adding that Shidal had long wanted to run a bar.
They rehabbed the space with fresh paint, flooring, decor and more. Their approach was decidedly casual. The goal was to create a comfortable spot for people to hang out without spending too much money on the fix-up.
The result is a space that retains the familiar outlines of Ice Harbor Brewery, but with the look and feel of a utility operation.
A recycled pole is incorporated into the bar. The tables are made from the giant spools that utility lines come on. Traffic signals hang from the walls, along with the televisions to air games and other key happenings.
Pool, virtual golf
The second floor space gained a pool table, hoisted into place by a crane. Darts and electronic games will complete the upstairs game area.
A storage area is transformed into a virtual golf lounge, with two stations to start and room for a third. The area where Ice Harbor sold kegs was renovated into an overflow room that can host private functions. It has its own bar.
The Bucketz food menu is basic, at least to start. The menu includes burgers, wings and a limited number of appetizers, including nachos.
It has a smoker and will add barbecue to the mix once the business is up and running.
Bucket trucks
Fitzpatrick said Bucketz, which takes its name from the bucket trucks used by line workers, has an excellent relationship with the Ice Harbor team and will even carry Ice Harbor brews on tap along with other standards.
It secured a full liquor license this spring and will offer blended drinks and cocktails including margaritas, mimosas and Bloody Marys.
Bucketz hours are 11 a.m.-2 a.m., daily. Follow Bucketz on Instagram at bucketzbarngrill.
Ice Harbor Brewery closed earlier this year and reopened in a larger spot in June just two blocks away, at the Public Market at Columbia River Warehouse.
This story was originally published August 30, 2023 at 5:00 AM.