Bar Evolution new Batavia addition to changing riverscape

BATAVIA – Watching his new bar take shape in a building along a stretch of Batavia riverside property undergoing its own transformation, owner John Hamel came up with the name for his latest enterprise, Bar Evolution.

It sits on the water’s east bank at 27 N. River St., where a ribbon-cutting ceremony is planned by the Batavia Chamber of Commerce at 5 p.m. Nov. 11. Drink specials and raffles will be part of the festivities of the grand opening weekend Nov. 11 to 13.

Hamel already has an affinity for the street, where Pal Joey’s sits a few doors to the north. He is co-owner of both the Batavia and West Chicago locations of Pal Joey’s, a restaurant and bar whose origins date back more than 40 years.

He said the community has invested money in reshaping the Batavia streetscape, where a major residential development is planned.

“I love the street, and what’s happening with the [new] bar is it’s evolving into something a little different,” Hamel said.

In gutting the building to create an inviting space for Bar Evolution, he served as general contractor. He said the historically significant building was once a creamery in the 1800s.

“On the inside, there’s a lot of limestone [and] the limestone with the facade is original to the building,” he said. “We added a more updated front.”

A sleek, granite bar atop dry-stack stone is a focal point of the room, which includes five flat-screen TVs and several couches as part of the seating.

He said the goal in designing Bar Evolution was to create a casual, relaxed place where you feel really comfortable when you walk in. He noted that patrons will find interesting wines, a wide range of martinis and other cocktails, and a lineup of beer with eight on draft.

Targeting a variety of tastes, the menu offers small plates suitable for sharing, from a cheese tray to bruschetta, antipasto skewers, shrimp cocktail, freshly prepared olive tapenade, and hummus dips plus two flatbreads: chipotle-barbecue chicken and zucchini basil.

He said the kitchen is small but can get things out at a quick pace, and called the flatbreads delicious.

Entertainment is booked most Saturdays, with some Fridays also featuring live music. And the space has its own baby grand piano.

“If people want to dance, there’s enough room to do that,” Hamel said.

Some of the creative touches in the new facade include sliding windows to open onto the street.

“We built some planter boxes and benches to encircle the patio, and there are tables and chairs out there,” Hamel said. “We have live-edged tables cut from fallen trees.”

He and a friend who owns a tree service made the unique tables themselves, Hamel said.

The building is shared to the north by The Tea Tree, and its spices, vinegars and oils are turning up in Bar Evolution’s kitchen.

“We’re trying to support each other in business,” he said. “We share the same [building]. We should be working together.”

His business also is benefiting from its proximity to Pal Joey’s.

“We have a really great staff working with me at both locations,” Hamel said. “They’ve taken on a role in coming up with creative recipes for drinks, and listening to what people want. [A goal] is to give people a sense of ownership, to give them a good experience, to do the best we can. Something they can enjoy and not feel they’re paying city prices.”

Continuing in the tradition of Pal Joey’s, Hamel said he wants Bar Evolution to do its part to support charities within the community.

Bar Evolution is closed Monday and open from 4 to 11 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday; 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday; noon to 1 a.m. Saturday; and 3 to 9 p.m. Sunday. For more information, visit barevolutionbatavia.com or call 630-454-4315.