Issue date: 8/28/08 Section: News

Patrons of the Panther Paw sit in the new beer garden Wednesday evening. The beer garden is an addition the Paw has been constructing during the summer. (Robbie Wroblweski/The Daily Eastern News)

Justin Hetzel has a new place to hang out, thanks to the Panther Paw Bar & Grill.

"I didn't use to like the bar," Hetzel said. "But now I've been here three times a week."

Hetzel and his brother, Jason, started coming to the Panther Paw again to use the new beer garden patio - a recent renovation to the bar.

Zack Hausner, a manager at the Panther Paw, said students would be drawn to the new addition, although the economy is down and liquor prices increased during the summer.

He is not yet sure of how much revenue it will bring in, he added.

"People keep asking us how it's going, but we don't know yet because it's still so new," Hausner said.

Chris Clayton, the bar's owner, started building the patio in the beginning of August.

"It's definitely a work in progress," Clayton said.

The section is almost finished, except for the outside bar, which will be completed by mid-September.

"(Chris) always wanted a beer garden," Hausner said. "It's an investment. You gotta spend money to make money."

The beer garden boosts the bar's capacity, which potentially means more business.

There are six bar tables and 11 smaller tables, plus an open space for walking around.

Hausner thinks the patio is going to bring in more patrons because smokers would not have to leave the bar to smoke.

Customers who do smoke will be able to order drinks while still outside, but can also come into the bar to use the indoor facilities.

The patio also has a bags game set up, and is free to use.

Other bars and businesses in the area are impressed with how nice the facility looks and how quickly it was constructed.

"Other bar owners are complimenting us on it," Hausner said.

The patio is all wood, complete with fans, a sound system and lighting.

Two big screen TVs and a heating system will be installed shortly.

They are currently still looking at options to covering a portion of the patio in case of rain and poor weather.

Hausner said they might have a special event to officially open the section, but he is not sure yet.

Hetzel predicts more students and residents will be drawn to the Panther Paw because the addition is newer than other places, such as Lefty's Holler.

"The regulars are definitely complimenting us," Hausner said.



Sarah Jean Bresnahan can be reached at 581-7942 or at sjbresnahan@eiu.edu.

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