Duckworth's to open massive uptown bar March 2

Duckworth's Grill & Taphouse is slated to open part of its massive new uptown bar March 2.

Actually, the 15,000 square-foot location at Tryon and 7th Streets will be two separate venues.

The first is a typical Duckworth's with flat screen TVs, the same full menu and 150 beers on tap, which is more than the four other Duckworth bars. It's having a soft opening starting Wednesday with limited hours for invited patrons, then will open March 2 if all goes well, said Rob Duckworth, the bar's owner.

The second part will be a new concept for Duckworth's: a basement-level, speakeasy-feeling bar and restaurant called The Cellar. It'll have a limited, "very rustic" and locally-sourced food menu, obscure specialty beers and eventually, a mixologist, Duckworth said.

The Cellar will open at the end of April or the first part of May. 

"It’s going to be a really special place for people who want to enjoy more of a laid-back, relaxed atmosphere and really great beer in a different type of food experience than you would typically get upstairs at Duckworth’s," Duckworth said. 

In total, the new Duckworth's employs more than 100 people between the two floors. 

Given the new venue's location, Duckworth said he's gotten a lot of interest about its opening. 

"Even though we have black plastic on the windows, it's amazing how many people are still walking in," Duckworth said. "The signs are now up, the building is painted, lights are on, so I guess people are very intrigued by the newness of the building."

Rob Duckworth opened the first Duckworth's in Mooresville in 2004 as an ice cream shop. Excluding the new uptown spot, Duckworth's has four other locations, including two in Charlotte. 

“I’m glad ice cream didn’t work out. Beer’s a lot more fun and of course it’s made us who we are today," he said.