Courtesy of LikeMinds
As the World Cup nears, city officials, developers, and commercial landlords are scrambling to open new hospitality spots and activate vacant spaces, particularly in prime areas like downtown and along the Beltline. When BrewDog abruptly shuttered in March, it left a sizable vacancy along the Eastside Trail. Now, a group of local hospitality pros is stepping in to temporarily fill the space with a music, sports-watching, and gaming venue complete with food and drinks. Called LikeMinds, it’s targeting a June 4 grand opening.
“We’re all more likeminded than not,” explains cofounder Kelly Campbell, known for Westside Motor Lounge. “We’re coming together around shared experiences like music, culture, and sport.”
The four-month-long pop-up will serve lunch and dinner from a menu led by Julian Hower of Smith’s Ole Bar and Mark Frazie of Frazie’s Meat and Market. Expect shareable appetizers, sandwiches, and classic bar food, including loaded fries, corn fritters, smoked wings, nachos, and a smashburger. Frazie’s standbys, such as the Hoss sandwich—made with 16‑hour smoked pork shoulder—and the Flower Child, layered with marinated portobello mushrooms, caramelized onions, fresh tomatoes, and arugula, will also be offered. Weekend brunch will be inspired by Hower’s now‑shuttered Pho Cue, with potential dishes like pork belly fried rice, salmon and grits, and challah French toast.
Courtesy of LikeMinds
Food and drinks will be primarily ordered via counter service, though a beverage cart and roaming waitstaff are also part of the plan. Dana Roberts of Westside Motor Lounge is crafting the beverage menus, which will include shaken and draft cocktails, nonalcoholic options, beer, wine, and THC beverages. The space has 28 taps, eight to 10 of which will be dedicated to cocktails and wine. The signature drink, the LikeMinded, is designed to be refreshing, made with vodka, citrus oleo, lemon, and mint.
“We’re emphasizing ‘drink like a local,’” Campbell says. “We’ll have a robust selection of local craft beers.” Cocktail highlights include a margarita made with Pedro Furtivo tequila and the Endless Summer, featuring local Sneaky Pete rum.
Courtesy of LikeMinds
With space for more than 700 guests (including the patio), LikeMinds will have a number of areas with different focuses. There’s a stage for live music and a vinyl-only DJ booth on the mezzanine, an LED wall for viewing big games, and billiards and bar games on the lower level near the bar. While much of BrewDog’s furniture and decor remains, the team added tabletop shuffleboard, pool tables, foosball, and cornhole. Seating is communal, with a mix of highboys, booths, couches, and 25 barstools.
“We are approaching this as a collaborative space and planning to bring in other pop-ups too,” Campbell says. Possible additions include a guest bartender series, wine pairing dinners, Checkmate Club chess, and networking and dating events.
