Two Arkells members are opening a sports bar with The Other Bird
- Robert Cekan
- 14 Jun 2018
It’s been a decade since Hamilton-based rock band Arkells released their first single “Oh, the Boss Is Coming!” — a song about hard-working employees in the workplace. Well, as fate would have it, a couple of those band members will soon be bosses themselves!
In a recent conversation with Erin Dunham, CEO of restaurant group The Other Bird, TrueResident has confirmed that Arkells’ frontman Max Kerman and bassist Nick Dika are joining forces with The Other Bird to bring a sports bar to James Street South.
The bar will be called Odds — a reference to a team’s chance at winning as well as “an apt description of the people behind it,” says Dunham.
The two band members involved in the project are playing a large role in the creative design and vibe of the new James Street restaurant, drawing global inspiration from various bars they’ve visited when on tour.
One of my fave nights of the year, every year. Thanks #HamOnt for supporting the @YWCA_Hamilton & local music! pic.twitter.com/RMXDrZ7BxT
— Max Kerman (@Max_Kerman) December 24, 2016
Located in the former Nellie James Too restaurant at the corner of James South and Duke Street, the sports bar will have a 70s-era feel to it; something that’ll fit into the existing neighbourhood by making it feel like it’s been there for decades.
Dunham describes the space as being “cool local” opposed to a trendy, new place. It was apparent in my conversation with Erin that making people feel comfortable in this new bar was a key theme in its design.
The front of the bar is planned to have a section that’ll open up to allow people at street-level to enjoy a bit of the sports game without having to go inside.
Inspiration for the new venture came about in recognition that many sports bars were found to be unapproachable, hard to have a conversation in and typically only offer greasy, deep-fried food.
Executive Chef Matt Kershaw will be developing the menu and if it’s anything like what he’s previously crafted at Rapscallion or The Mule, then we’re in for a treat. The menu hasn’t been finalized yet but we’re told that nachos will be a big focus. That’s music to our ears.
The sports featured on the TVs will have an emphasis on local team favourites like the Hamilton Ti-Cats, Toronto Blue Jays and Toronto Maple Leafs. Dunham expressed that they’ll be avoiding things like UFC.
With the FIFA World Cup now underway, pressure is on to get the bar open asap so that Hamiltonians can enjoy the bulk of the soccer matches in the new space.
If no delays occur, we can expect to see this new sports bar open on June 21.
🏆😁
Who else is excited?#WorldCup pic.twitter.com/Y9pWqJWvQv— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) June 14, 2018
Arkells have been coming up a lot in the news lately, from their latest music video that was filmed entirely in Hamilton to their huge, upcoming concert “The Rally” on June 23 at Tim Hortons Field, there’s a lot to look forward to!
Will you be visiting Odds when it opens? Let us know in the comments!
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