Bridges Bar and Grill coming to Corning's Bridge Street at site of former Cap'n Morgans
Bridge Street used to be a premier location in Corning with popular spots like Lando's, The Cite and Cap'n Morgans filled to capacity most weekends. A new bar opening in 2022 could aid a new era of Bridge Street in the city.
The appropriately named Bridges Bar and Grill is opening at the site of the old Cap’n Morgan’s. The popular bar closed its doors in February 2020 after 18 years of operation.
Following the closure of several popular bars in the area, Bridge Street has lagged further behind Market Street, the crown jewel of nightlife and eateries in Corning, even with the success of Carey’s Brew House that opened in 2017.
Enter Bridges Bar and Grill.
How four friends built Bridges Bar
The name for Bridges Bar and Grill was born when four friends — Becki and James Messner, Stephanie and Justin Clark — were discussing their new business in the Messners' garage. Bridge Street, they thought, would be the perfect location. It took two hours for the group to land on the name.
“This name just clicked,” Becki Messner said. “We thought we’d incorporate it with the bridge and Bridge Street.”
With its mint green towers, the Bridge Street bridge is one of the well-known landmarks in the city connecting north and south Corning.
The Bridges Bar and Grill logo, created by Finger Lakes Sign & Design in Horseheads, outlines an ode to the bridge.
With a name, logo and vision, the four got to work creating the bar in mid-October, putting in countless hours to get the space ready for customers.
“We knew we had a lot of work cut out for us when we came in,” Becki Messner said. “It’s been a lot of long hours and a lot of labor and a lot of things to fix up.”
Bar to open on Corning's Bridge Street
The interior of the bar will have a rustic and vintage feel. Wine barrels act as bases for tables and the tabletops were crafted by hand.
“We’re here every day until about 10 p.m. at night,” Becki Messner said.
On the menu will be typical bar food, including hamburgers, chicken wings and sandwiches, as well as specials every night. Some staples include peanut butter and jelly wings, the hangover burger and Friday fish fry.
A recent Facebook post shows a sneak peak of a menu item, sweet potato bombs.
Bridges is also planning karaoke nights, live bands, DJs and trivia for select nights. Whether you're in the mood to party, or want to host a family gathering in the back of the restaurant, the Bridges Bar and Grill owners hope to have something for everyone.
Adding a new bar to another part of the city complements a growing trend on Market Street.
"We are delighted to welcome a new business to our downtown, we are a dining destination and also a fast-growing craft brewing destination so additions to that offering are a very good thing," said Coleen Fabrizi, executive director of the Corning Gaffer District.
The business could draw traffic for events like Taste of Summer, a Bridge Street summer event with live music that was canceled in 2020.
If social media engagement or passersby are any indication, Bridges Bar and Grill will have a successful stint in the city when it opens.
"We have people coming in asking 10 times a day what we are and when we'll open," said Becki Messner. "They can’t wait, they’re excited. They're happy to see people here again."
The restaurant is slated to open in early 2022.
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This article originally appeared on The Leader: Corning's Bridges Bar & Grill to bring 'rustic, vintage feel' in 2022
