 "Photo: Chelsy Lueth")
Tail wagging, mouth drooling, riled up with excitement stands Tank the dog, welcoming bar patrons this past Saturday to the newly renovated, the Loft Bar and Grill, which recently opened on Aug. 14.
“The ambiance of the bar was really cool, it was very laid back and was a good place to hangout with friends,” said Kristen Harvey, junior in public health and nutrition. “They had a really good drink selection, and a very cute bartender.”
This bar is different in a variety of ways in comparison to other bars found in the Aggieville Business District. The Loft is an environmentally friendly bar that has aims to give back to the community of Manhattan.
“I believe it is important to give back to the community; we are after all in the hospitality industry,” said Jacque Jacobson, the Loft affiliate.
According to the Loft’s Web site, they plan to actively implement green practices by recycling glass bottles as well as cooking grease used in the kitchen.
“We are open to any other suggestions that the public can offer to help the environment,” Jacobson said. “I look for things that can give back to the community, because it is the right thing to do.”
Recently, the Loft has joined the Aggieville Business Association.
“We look forward to cooperating with any and all businesses in the district, both new and established. Aggieville supports the entrepreneurial spirit in its business owners,” said Evan Tuttle, the executive director of the association.
The Loft will serve food until 2 a.m., Monday through Saturday. The Loft is open to anyone in the community and invites all Manhattan residents as well as K-State students to stop in for a different kind of experience.
“The Loft was flipping awesome,” said Kyle Huhmann, a graduate student in architecture. “It was a great place to meet my friends and start out the night.”
The Loft supports many local charities, including Fairy God Mothers, a program that helps single employed mothers who have automotive complications. Affiliates of the Loft have helped raise more than $4000 for this charity.
“We aren’t just another bar that aims to get kids all liquored up, there is much more that we are trying to do here,” Jacobson said.
In addition to supporting local charities the Loft also is involved with the humane society.
“We will be having many different types of animals outside the Loft — dogs, goats and even miniature Clydesdales.” Jacobson said. “Our bar is very pet-friendly.”
The Loft has no cover charge and daily drink specials. Renovations inside the Loft will continue for the next year.
If renovations go as planned the Loft plans to open the upper level with two restaurants and install a glass elevator.
“We just have to get the mothership going,” Jacobson said.
The lower level of the Loft is currently the only level of the bar in operation.
This bar possesses many qualities that could potentially benefit the community of Manhattan, as well as offering college students a place to relax and share a drink with friends.
“Yes we are a bar, but I want students and the community to be able to come together,” Jacobson said. “This bar will definitely be different than the others.”
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