HARBOR SPRINGS — Through the years, a business space at the corner of Third and State streets in Harbor Springs has housed several food establishments offering breakfast and lunch fare.
With a new venture launching there this summer, Steve McDiarmid sees an opportunity for the site to welcome customers later in the day and evening.
As of last week, McDiarmid was anticipating a soft opening around the second weekend of July for his One Thirty Eight Cocktail Lounge at 138 W. Third St. Having gained about 25 years of food and beverage industry experience in the metro Detroit area, the Petoskey resident said he had been keeping an eye out for potential business opportunities and locations since moving to Northern Michigan about five years ago.
With One Thirty Eight, McDiarmid sees an opportunity to meld upscale touches with a neighborhood bar atmosphere which a wide range of customers may find inviting.
“It has a very classic vibe,” he said.
At One Thirty Eight, McDiarmid plans to offer an assortment of classic and modern cocktails, along with beer options — ranging from nostalgic domestic brands to craft labels — and wines. Along with these, One Thirty Eight will serve a food menu focused on small bites and shareables, including examples such as bleu cheese-stuffed olives and chicken-and-waffle sliders.
The building interior recently underwent some updates in preparation for One Thirty Eight’s opening, including the installation of a bar. Indoor and outdoor seating options will be available.
In addition to a traditional late-afternoon happy hour with special food and drink pricing — specifically from 4-6 p.m. — One Thirty Eight will also offer such features from 10-11 p.m. McDiarmid sees the late-evening happy hour as something which potentially could appeal to service-industry workers as well as customers who’d like to stop in following evening entertainment elsewhere.
McDiarmid plans for One Thirty Eight to offer a wide-ranging selection of whiskies, including American styles such as ryes and bourbons along with Irish, Canadian and scotch whiskies and others from abroad.
The lounge also will provide some unique opportunities for those purchasing memberships in its whiskey club. With limited slots available, members will have access to a special selection of whiskies for each month as well as quarterly club events.
Plans call for One Thirty Eight to operate 4 p.m.-midnight daily during the warmer months, except for Mondays. During the colder months of the year, McDiarmid plans for the lounge to be closed Sundays and Mondays.
McDiarmid said One Thirty Eight also can accommodate private events during daytime hours, with maximum capacities ranging from 20 to 50 people depending on whether the lounge’s outdoor space is used.
The lounge has a website at www.138harborsprings.com as well as presences on Facebook and Instagram, and can be reached by phone at (231) 242-4394.