A NEW Nickie’s 1971
By Alaina Loughridge - Photos by Wen McNally
Owning a bar sounds like a great time! Drink and party with your friends! Meet
new people every day! No boring office gig or other soul sucking job that leaves
you pondering your fate for eternity. Well, it is a great time, but it is also A WHOLE
LOTTA WORK! Thankfully, Calvin Ratteree knew that going in when he bought
Nickie’s 1971 Bar & Grill in 2013.
For the many years prior to, Nickie’s (which has undergone a few name
changes since inception) had two separate entries. The first door on the left
led to a lattice enclosed kitchen and dining room - old style with the checkered
countertops, rounded bar stools at the counter and retro booths along the wall. To
get to the bar, you entered the door on the right, which led you down a strangely
long tiled corridor to a huge room in the back that featured a sunken bar, tiled
flooring, a piano stage in the far left hand corner and plenty of space for bands
and dancing.
It is now a whole new establishment and the changes are awesome! Starting
with the basics, Calvin just took out everything: The lattice woodwork no longer
separates the kitchen from the bar. The entire kitchen is now closed off and that
provides more space for a pool table and extra seating. The ceiling was basically
removed and is now a ‘drop ceiling’ that makes what could be a small space into
a huge, airy entertainment area.
The bathrooms were moved and entirely redone. The walls were entirely
replaced with knotty pine wood, and the entire floor has been replaced with
bamboo hardwood. Throw in a brand new air conditioning unit with 10 tons
of air flow capability, 15 ceiling fans, phone chargers all around the bar, brand
new Yamaha speakers, and something constantly going on, whether it is a pool
tournament, dart game, karaoke or live music. I know exactly where I am going
to be spending my summer! If you are still not impressed, the 11 70” televisions
ought to get you there!
Oh, did I mention the entire front of the building has also been completely
remodeled as well? Get yourself down to Nickie’s and check it out!
26 TYBEE BEACHCOMBER | SEPT 2019