Construction continues on the Burgundy Room on the Square in Oxford. The new interior will include cedar walls, lots of stone details and a fireplace. (Photo by Kamera Griffin)
The Burgundy Room had been a popular bar in Oxford for 18 years, but the venue will get a facelift and a new name this fall.
The Burgundy Room will now be known as The Summit Lodge Bar.
James Bulian, founder of the Burgundy Room, said there was minor uproar when the bar shut its doors, but there has been a great response toward The Summit Lodge Bar overall.
Senior Noah Barron said the Burgundy Room has been his home away from home ever since he got to Oxford two years ago.
“I’m sad to see it go, but I’m interested in The Summit and its concept,” Barron said. “I’m looking forward to it opening, which hopefully is soon.”
The initial inspiration for the Burgundy Room was all things martini and cigars according to Bulian. Smoking in public areas was outlawed in 2006, however, so the bar no longer was able to sell cigars.
“The martini fad kind of came and went,” Bulian said. “We just became a room that was burgundy and we didn’t really have much of an identity.”
For the revamp, Bulian worked alongside designer Beth McKey and business partner David Buescher in the decision-making process.
Bulian and his partners were toying around with the idea of only remodeling, but they thought an entirely different concept could bring something new to Oxford.
“The mountains are not here in Mississippi, so I have to travel far to experience something like that,” Bulian said. “Who doesn’t enjoy the mountains?”
Bulian said he enjoys traveling out West to visit the Sierra Mountains, where he enjoys camping out and painting. Bulian said he wanted to bring the mountain theme to Oxford while keeping certain Southern themes incorporated in the decor.
“I had the idea of something mountainous,” Bulian said. “We exposed the rafters and the beams that are holding the building up, which are still charred from the Civil War, along with white oak, which I believe is from one of the fallen trees on the Grove.”
The interior will also include cedar walls, lots of stone details and a fireplace.
“If you could imagine being in an upscale ski lodge in Aspen with a bar off to the side – that’s what it’s going to look like,” Bulian said.
Organic and top shelf Artist Vodka – a Burgundy Room staple – will be The Summit Lodge Bar’s house vodka. Bulian is the CEO of Artist Vodka.
The vodka is made from organic Italian farro wheat, which is imported from Italy and is available at all liquor stores in Oxford.
“Not to worry –there will still be Whiskey Wednesdays,” Bulian said. “Everyone that is worried about that, don’t worry anymore.”
Bulian said The Summit Lodge Bar will open sometime this week but there is no specific day in mind.
Senior Maddie Stirsman said she is somewhat sad the Burgundy Room has closed.
“(The Burgundy Room) was my favorite place to hang out on the weekends,” Stirsman said. “I am really excited to check out The Summit Lodge Bar, though, when it opens.”
