The Jury Room, located at 22 E. Mound Street, holds the distinction of being the oldest continually operating bar in Columbus. That tradition will continue as the bar transitions hands from Georgia Byrd to Elizabeth Lessner and Harold Larue today and joins the Betty’s Family of Restaurants.
Lessner says that changes to the venue will be minimal. “The name has been the same since 1831,” she added. “We don’t want to upset the ghosts so we won’t be changing it!”
“When we heard the bar was for sale, we jumped at the opportunity to purchase it,” said Lessner. “We are learning the history and we feel incredibly lucky to share in this piece of Columbus’ past.”
Many of the historic architectural elements of the venue are still intact, including the original ceiling and original bar.
“We plan to restore any original bones we find in the space,” said Lessner. “My mother, Diana Lessner, is a furniture buyer for Mary Catherine’s Antiques, and has been on the look out for 1830s-1860s era tables and furnishings for the space.”
The menu at The Jury Room will get a complete overhaul to bring it closer to Lessner’s other establishments.
“The menu will be small, clean and memorable,” she explained. “We are looking at South Philly classics such as depression era Pepper & Egg Sandwiches served on homemade rolls, Linguine and Clams and Steak and Fries. Bread will baked on site and recipes will be made from scratch.”
The drink menu will also be overhauled in the same fashion.
“Classic cocktails will served at reasonable prices as well as few draught beers and wines by the glass and bottle,” said Lessner.
The Jury Room will be under construction starting next Monday and is expected to be re-opened in late November. The hours will mirror Lessner’s other restaurants: 11am to 2am, 7 days a week.
More information can be found at www.JuryRoom.net.