Raising the Bar (EDITORS NOTE)

One of the ongoing themes in Northwest Arkansas over the past decade has been the revitalization of downtown Bentonville.

Driven largely by the powers that be (see, Walton family), there are a lot more people downtown than there were 10 years, or even five years ago. There are more businesses. Storefronts are full. Events like the Farmers Market and “First Friday” draw thousands to the area on a regular basis.

Even with all this development, however, the small-town feel remains. That may be a part of the charm for some, but for the rapidly growing demographic of people who are moving to Benton County to work, and then go in search of a nightlife, it’s not particularly appealing.

There are some recent signs, though, that the nightlife scene in downtown Bentonville is beginning to pick up steam.

For instance, in case you missed it, Creed Bratton, from the award-winning television show “The Office,” performed a sold-out music and comedy show on Feb. 18 at Meteor Guitar Gallery, which is growing its reputation as an event venue.

And a new bar called Foxhole: Public House seems to be doing well just south of the square on the first floor of the Thrive development.

Plus, the bar/cocktail program at the Pressroom, which has expanded to full, sit-down restaurant status in the new Midtown Center, is every bit as well-thought-out as the eatery’s food menu. And the buzz is that the soon-to-open Preacher’s Son in the renovated church on Northwest A Street will boast a roof-top bar.

And in the Pressroom’s former space on West Central Avenue, in a building owned by an affiliated company of the Walton family, there will soon be another option to relax and have a few drinks thanks to Joshua Widner and Andrew Heilman, owners of an upscale bar-slash-restaurant in downtown Springfield, Missouri, called Scotch & Soda. As it turns out, Widner and Heilman are bringing their “Scotch & Soda” concept to Bentonville. The space is being renovated, and the business should be open in the coming months. Its tagline is “a modern spin on classic cocktails and gourmet bar eats.”

While I am sure city leaders don’t want a crazy bar scene, cultivating a vibrant nightlife in downtown Bentonville is another important piece of the puzzle in the effort to turn the area into a lively urban center.