The Red Brick Tavern, located at 14 N. Court St., is preparing for its grand reopening after extensive renovations over the summer. Although the bar is still open to the public, all renovations are expected to be finished by Friday and Saturday, according to Daniel DeLuca, the owner and operator of Red Brick.
Known in Athens for its discounted drinks from 6-9 p.m., which is known as Brick Break, and energetic DJs, the bar began interior renovations at the end of the 2024 Spring Semester. The new additions to the tavern include a patio area, additional bar space, an upstairs bathroom and an additional entrance to the basement.
These new additions utilize a previously unused kitchen space and empty parking lot, according to DeLuca. The bar’s increase in space was needed to accommodate the rapidly growing Ohio University student population post-pandemic.
“Now that we’re getting back to 4,000 (new) students every year, it seems like there are going to be a lot more students,” DeLuca said. “To offset that, we needed to have more space in order for that to work.”
The physical changes to the tavern are part of a larger plan to relaunch and rebrand Red Brick’s identity as an Athens bar.
Anika Rood, a senior studying marketing, has been working with the owner since last spring on updating the tavern’s image.
“We really just wanted Red Brick to be the most entertaining bar on Court Street,” Rood said. “Whether it’s live music efforts, (a) variety of DJs or other events. (DeLuca) really just wanted Red Brick to be somewhere that you could go just to have entertainment of any form, whether it's laughing with your friends … or the live music.”
Centering events and highlighting local talent is a key part of the bar’s rebrand, including a Live from Red Brick radio performance every Wednesday.
“(Performances) help local talent be able to get on the radio,” DeLuca said. “ I know it's not the ‘80s anymore, so the radio doesn't necessarily mean anything, but it gives them a good stepping stone.”
Spotlighting these local bands and talent also benefits Red Brick’s reputation, according to DeLuca.
“Whatever we can help with the local music scene, that's a big, big benefit for us,” he said.
DeLuca and Rood plan to continue highlighting students as part of the bar’s rebrand.
“Going back years and years and years, since the DeLucas took over Red Brick, there's (always) been pictures of students in the bar, whether it's just day-to-day or if it's an event,” Rood said. “We really prioritize showing the students and showing the experience that's made in Red Brick, rather than just posting a simple graphic telling you what the specials are for the day.”
Ryann Winters, a senior studying psychology, is a customer of Red Brick and holds positive views on the renovations.
“It (is) a lot cleaner than it used to be and the layout looks a lot nicer,” Winters said. “Since they’re so busy, there’s (now) more room to be at when there’s a bunch of people in (Red Brick).”
Along with enjoying the new renovations, Winters also mentions seeing changes in the atmosphere and morale in the bar.
“I think the (employees) are more on top of their game, as well,” she said. “They got new card scanners to be more efficient, so they’re faster with customer service.”
Pawpurr’s Bar, located across from Red Brick at 37 N. Court St., is owned by DeLuca as well. Pawpurr’s also underwent minor changes this summer to more comfortably accommodate the influx of students, including clearing out a pool table and an old cooler.
These changes to the bars are all in efforts to match the increase in student population and create a more comfortable experience for customers, according to DeLuca.
“We just want to really be the entertainment hub for people to come in (and) have a good time,” DeLuca said. “No matter where they are, what stage of life they're in, as long as they can come in and say, ‘I had fun that night,’ that’s really what I’m looking for out of all this."
