How best to sum up The Cellar Pub (located at 400 Sun Valley Road) in Ketchum? I would have to start by saying that it is many things to many people. A friendly bar for conversing with chums, a place for a fab dinner (try the Fish and Chips), a game room complete with shuffleboard, and a place to get out of the fray and away from downtown without actually leaving the vicinity. I recently met my friend Colleen there one afternoon for Happy Hour and was “happy” that I did, ha! Our timing could not have been better since it was “Man Night,” the modern day counterpart to “Ladies’ Night,” thereby enabling all lads who crossed the threshold to purchase $2 Bud or Coors, $5 Chili Bombs and $4 Fireball shots Being the nice guy that he was, the bartender extended the offer to us as well. It was 5 p.m. and the joint was officially jumpin’!
Although the Cellar is situated downstairs (which can often be a dark and gloomy recipe for failure) it’s downright cozy. The long wooden bar is flanked by tables below the windows to their small deck. The adjacent room with the shuffleboard game has many tables to accommodate larger groups.
We sit at the bar and decide to forego the tempting ”man drinks” and order wine. Colleen has a Stuhlmuller Chardonnay ($10) and I sip a Riff Pinot Grigio ($6). Wings are always half price at Happy Hour (only $4), so we naturally order some.
Shortly thereafter, a couple arrives and sits down for dinner. They order Fish and Chips (ale-battered cods with seasoned fries, coleslaw and dill tartar $12.95) and the Flat Iron Steak Salad (organic mixed greens, tomatoes, creamy gorgonzola and fried onions $14.95). I tried to salivate quietly while resolving that next time Peter and I go out for dinner, we’re coming here and I’m ordering that steak salad. It’s adorned with a few strategically placed onion rings and it looks delicious. This is pub fare with a bit of a twist. You’ll also find Grilled Shrimp Tacos, an Old-Fashioned Bar Burger and Bangers and Mash.
Moments later our wings arrive, plump and beautiful, tempting me to immediately burn my tongue. Bleu cheese dressing and celery sticks accompany them in an effort to cool their bite and I make yet another resolution to order these the next time I’m here, Happy Hour or not.
The Cellar is owned and managed by a team of all-star locals including: Paige and Roger from Sushi on Second, Rick who previously worked for Kells Irish Pub in Seattle and Whiskey Jacques locally, and Kristin, long-time manager of Whiskey Jacques’. This group of folks definitely pays attention to the quality of service and overall experience for everyone who steps foot in The Cellar Pub.
We order another glass of wine (seriously, who has just one?) and we take time to catch up with one another. Friends wander in and stop by our table making it readily apparent that this is definitely a meeting place for locals—a place where everyone knows your name.
