New Albany's Speakeasy will close after a final bash on Wednesday, October 29.

The news came Friday that New Albany's Speakeasy restaurant and jazz venue is closing its doors. The final going-away party is Wednesday, October 29.

At NAC: Final "Big Band Dance and Concert" next Wednesday at Speakeasy ... then, lights out.

Post-mortems will include references to the state of the economy, but it really wasn't that simple. Throughout its roughly 15-month run, the Speakeasy was acclaimed for physical ambience and the unique nature of the jazz and dancing concept. Unfortunately, consistency in service, food and drink proved elusive, and the learning curve was slow.

Anyone who has ever worked in the "hospitality" business knows how maddening it can be to translate a great concept into a functional entity on a day-to-day basis. It's never exactly the way you'd like it to be, even after (in my case) 16 years hashing it out. The bottom line revolves around your ability to make customers feel good about paying you for the service, and to make them feel good enough that they'll come back and repeat the process. It's glib, but its true. The marketplace is unforgiving in the best of times, and when money's tighter, the work becomes harder. Speakeasy never really mastered that equation, and speaking only for myself, I wish there'd have been a way for me to be of more assistance to the owners. The plan was great, and the execution wasn't.

What happens now? It has long been rumored that Louisville-area operators have an interest in the location, and the building's owner is committed to doing what he must to fill the space even if it takes time to find the right tenant. It seems unlikely to me that the name and concept will live on, but perhaps we'll all be pleasantly surprised.

It's true that the economy is far from ideal, and yet prospective occupants of the Speakeasy site should note that it lies only half a block from the new YMCA, which will be opening in mid-November, and is expected to attract several thousand members a week to downtown New Albany.

I feel bad for the Tharps. I know that the Speakeasy was their dream, and they're in a rough place now. They tried their best, and things didn't work out, but you have to give them credit for the effort.

At the same time, we must be thinking of what comes next. Prospects for downtown New Albany remain bright. It's all a matter of finding the right combination.

At NAC: Open thread: Speakeasy will close on Wednesday, October 29.

Where to find good beer during Harvest Homecoming.

Speaking personally, it has been a cherished goal to live long enough that I might be able to enjoy a craft beer downtown during New Albany’s annual Harvest Homecoming celebration, and by doing so, to strike a small blow against the hegemony of the swill merchants.

In 2005, the old House of Bread put two kegs of NABC beer on tap during Harvest Homecoming, and last year, its successor, Bistro New Albany expanded the NABC selection while adding craft beers from Upland (a Bloomington, Indiana microbrewery) and others from America and around the world.

BNA will do it again this year, and there’ll be NABC and Upland beers on tap once again. Unlike last year, BNA will conduct food and drink business during booth days both outside on the patio and inside in the dining room, which means that one need not be restricted to elephant ears and rolled oysters (the latter remaining a favorite of mine) from the street side vendors.

Another marvelous option is added for 2007: Connor’s Place, run by former BNA partner Dave Himmel, and located on Main Street adjacent to the Parthenon. CP will feature NABC drafts during Harvest Homecoming: Community Dark, Elector, Flat Tyre, Hoptimus (limited quantities) and Mt. Lee (also limited quantities).

Flat Tyre will be available in cask-conditioned form from the hand pump, which has been borrowed from NABC for the occasion, giving Connor’s the distinction of being the first New Albany establishment during the modern era to offer hand-pumped “real” ale. When the cask version is depleted, there’ll be a regular keg as back-up. Connor’s Place will also have Oktoberfest beers from Upland, Browning’s (Louisville micro) and Spaten (Germany).

I believe that Elector will be on tap at Speakeasy Jazz, NABC’s remaining downtown account.

Yes, swill reigns supreme at Harvest Homecoming, and it probably always will. However, all we ever wanted was a choice. Now more than ever, we have it. If you like good beer and you’re downtown the next three days, visit one of these fine establishments and buy one. In NABC isn’t your taste, my feelings aren’t hurt; have another microbrew or an import instead, and let them know that you appreciate having options. Rest assured that if it were up to Anheuser-Busch, you wouldn’t have any.

There's an explanation for that ...

A reader asks:

"What happened to your NABC beers on tap at the Speakeasy in New Albany?"

It would appear that the Speakeasy's front keg box, in which they'd placed three NABC 1/6 (5-gallon) kegs, died roughly six weeks ago and has yet to be repaired or replaced. In the interest of patience and diplomacy, neither of which have been personal hallmarks previously, I'll say only that you're free to draw your own conclusions from the long absence of keg dispensing space at the establishment.

On the other hand, I've not been by to check since last week, and I'll try to do so today. With Harvest Homecoming prime time coming, it is reported that Speakeasy is stockpiling huge quantities of Anheuser-Busch products, and the less I say about that, the better. Let's merely suggest that not all wholesalers in the state of Indiana observe the rules with respect to extending credit to accounts.

I really enjoy helping people, but as you grow older, sometimes it occurs to you that people must want to be helped.

Does that answer your question?

Can you hear the grinding of my teeth?

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.

NABC's Jared Williamson performing at Bistro New Albany this weekend.

Our associate brewer, Jared Williamson, will be doing a solo gig at Bistro New Albany tonight and tomorrow (May 25 & 26). He'll be performing at the outdoor patio from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Jared's day job is brewing, but he's been playing music for longer than he's been making beer. Anyone up for catching the tunes on Saturday evening?

In other downtown New Albany news, the soon-to-open Speakeasy jazz club has announced that its first big Saturday show -- the Glenn Miller Orchestra on June 16th -- already is sold out. Pretty good for an establishment that's yet to open, as well as a fair amount of pressure to open.

Famous big band booked for New Albany Speakeasy; Glenn Miller Orchestra playing State Street jazz club’s opening (from the New Albany Tribune).

Don't forget Connor's Place at 207 E. Main. Dave Himmel has embarked upon his dream, and it's a comfy, atmospheric setting for beer and food ... and even more inviting since his dad bought him an outdoor grill for the attractive rear patio.

Tribune visits Connor's Place during last night's grand opening gala.