Oh! Bar opens November 18th!

Jackson’s newest entertainment venue, which will feature dueling pianos and a variety of musical acts, is opening next week.

Mike Easter, owner of the Oh! Bar, is opening the business Nov. 18. He has been hosting preview nights at the bar this past week.

“It’s been a relief to see things come together,” he said. “I’m excited to see people have a good time.”

The bar is located at the former Capital Theatre at 128 W. Michigan Ave. Along with dueling pianists playing everything from oldies to Top 40 music, the bar will also feature a variety of bands and solo acts, Easter said.

Oh! Bar will also offer martini specials throughout the week as well as a light appetizer menu.

Easter said the dueling piano theme was something he always wanted to see in the area.

“I want to have more of a variety of entertainment,” he said. “I’m always willing to try new things.”

Crews have renovated the interior of the theater and the former Capital Club.

Easter, also known as DJ Mike Holiday, said renovations and construction cost between $150,000 and $175,000 and includes a new bar area, bathrooms, updated kitchen and newly leveled flooring.

Easter said the bar has an updated, big-city feel but still has some nostalgic, historic elements such as the ornate stamped-metal ceiling and framed vintage photographs.

“A lot of people like the atmosphere of the place,” Easter said. “Everybody’s been excited to see it.”

Rick LeMaster, who is a landlord for other local establishments that include Wool E. Bully’s, purchased the building late last year.

“He has a good vision for bars,” Easter said about LeMaster. “Working with him has been awesome. He does things right.”

Oh Bar! has a seating capacity of about 100 and a staff of 18, Easter said. Two web sites, www.ohbarjackson.com and www.ohbarevents.com, are currently being developed for the business, he said.

City Councilman Andrew Frounfelker attended one of the bar’s preview nights and was impressed with the venue and the crowd.

“I think it gives downtown an additional destination of entertainment for people to go to,” he said.

Jonathan Greene, executive director of the Downtown Development Authority, also attended one of the preview nights and said the crowd had a great time.

“We’re very excited that it’s opening,” Greene said. “It brings a different, fun entertainment element downtown.”

From Jackson Citizen Patriot, November 10th