New Speakeasy about to lift off in downtown New Albany.

(Updated 8:42 a.m. on Thursday, 14 June)

I'm told that Speakeasy, downtown New Albany's newest restaurant (also a jazz venue), will be doing "soft" lunches this week from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, and 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Friday, as preparation for the big grand opening show on Saturday, June 16th. I'm assuming that regular hours will commence beginning next week, and will inform readers when the information is known.

The Speakeasy is located at 225 State Street (between Main and Market, just adjacent to the retro Firestone auto service center. The phone is 812-981-0981. Owners are Brad and Lori Tharp, and the chef is Kevin Crum.

The Saturday grand opening event, featuring the Glenn Miller Orchestra, is sold out. Develop New Albany is the primary sponsor of the event along with Holiday Inn Express (Dee Cunningham; the hotel provided all the Miller band's rooms); Tumblebus (Larry and Brenda Scharlow); Lopp Real Estate (Mike & Terri Kopp); New Albany mayoral candidate Doug England and wife Michelle England; Sturgis Carpet Cleaning (John and Amy Sturgis); and Community Bank in New Albany.

Three draft New Albanian Brewing Company beers will be served (Mt. Lee, Elector and Community Dark, at least to start) along with two from Bluegrass Brewing (Main & Clay). A short list of craft beers and imports from World Class Beverages also will be offered. The food menu is Cajun-influenced, and the physical setting is compelling and likely to become an immediate classic.

With four taps at Bistro New Albany and two at Connor’s Place, the Speakeasy's three NABC taps bring the downtown total to nine -- one more than at the pub and pizzeria. If that isn't progress, I'm not sure what is.

Thanks to Mike Kopp for fleshing out this posting.