Photo by Matt Sigur
Updates on State Street’s latest coming attraction
The North Gates of LSU will see a new bar and grub spot open just in time for football season.
Shane Courrege, owner of Duvic’s and The Spanish Moon, is teaming up with Pinetta’s chef Luis Macedo to bring The State Bar & Grub to the former location of Louie’s Cafe at 209 W. State St.
The State Bar & Grub will host a soft opening later this month and is on track to open in August. Dates for both the soft and grand openings have not been set. The new pub will have room for about 60 customers.
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Inside, Courrege and Macedo have opened up the space, taking out the vent hood that used to house the cooking station for the old 24-hour diner. The duo has also installed new flooring, given the space a new paint job and redone nearly everything.
The new bar and restaurant will feature barrel-aged and shrub-style cocktails and new takes on grilled cheese.
“It’s up in the air what we’ll be doing with small plates,” Macedo says. “The menu is definitely grilled cheese-based. We’ll also include different types of protein like brisket and smoked chicken.”
Courrege says the cocktails will bring a New Orleans and New York City vibe to the bar. He has known the area since his days working at The Bayou, the bar and concert venue formerly located on Chimes Street where Mahony’s Irish Pub is now located.
Frank Duvic, the building owner of Duvic’s, called Courrege up when the old Louie’s space on State Street became available.
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“I crunched some numbers and worked it out,” Courrege says. “When we signed the lease, there weren’t any bars in the area except Slinky’s. Now, Barcadia is open. Mahony’s is opening. It’s exciting to see the area come back. I’m hearing a lot of good response from people who used to just go to Tigerland. This could be a better area for nightlife.”
Courrege admits that upon signing the lease, he knew food was a must. He says he had to offer something to the younger crowds. However, he’s optimistic the concept will be well received. The one remaining concern is parking, the reason Louie’s moved down the street to the old Wendy’s at 3322 Lake St.
“That’s a work in progress,” he says. “We’re talking with some of the property owners around here to see if something can be worked out. We have no specific solution yet. It was probably our biggest question mark when we signed the lease. We’re counting on foot traffic and public parking.”