News : The Mystery is over; Old Hospital Pub Moves Closer to Opening

It won't be long now...

One of the most talked about parts of the redevelopment project of the old Iowa Braille School campus is nearing completion, and it looks to be something both new and exciting.

The Old Hospital Pub is slated to open later this summer and project manager - and Vinton native - Bonnie Xanadu, a representative of the Bari Group, is excited about the long-awaited opening.

"We know that a lot of people out there have been very curious," she said Monday. "This is something the community has wanted for a long time."

Located on the north side of campus in the 110-year old former IBSSS hospital, Old Hospital Pub will both indoor and outdoor dining options, sports on TV, and a full-service bar.

"We're going to offer designer cocktails, along with about anything you'd like," Xanadu said. "We'll have Iowa craft beers on tap, as well other favorites like Busch Light."

And the menu?
"Barbecue, burgers, steaks," Xanadu said, "but also things like shrimp, salads, and things like that."

Xanadu said that there will seating for about 60 people at a time inside the Pub, as well as an exciting outdoor option on the west side of the building.
"We're going to have a big deck out here with tables, a big fire pit with seating by it, and a couple of big TVs out there," Xanadu said.

There will also be a pair of TVs over the bar.
There is no hard timetable for the opening, although it appears to be on schedule for late July or early August. In the meantime Xanadu has a lot of little details to work on, most notably hiring a staff

Xanadu indicated that there will a lot of openings for, "servers, bartenders, kitchen staff, things like that."

In the meantime, work continues in the Old Hospital. Watch for updates!