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Pub-cafe combo new to Miami

Niall Berry prepares the bar Monday afternoon at The Quarter Barrel, a new combination pub cafe. Contributed photo by Caitlin Wilson

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By Brandon E Berning, Contributing Writer Updated 1:51 PM Friday, October 29, 2010

OXFORD — Most customers would have to visit five different establishments to get what is offered in one location at Oxford’s newest business. A coffee house, a restaurant, a used book store, a pub and beer-brewing establishment can now be found in one location thanks to Miami University alumni.

The anticipated The Quarter Barrel opened its doors at 107 E. Church St. last week, bringing all the excitement of a weekend night out into a living room-like setting. The inside features many recycled materials, like a bar made from old wine barrels and doors and tables made from bowling lanes.

The business — named because it brews a quarter barrel at a time — is open from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. Mondays through Saturdays.

“We found that there was a demographic of clientele being unserved due to the closing of a local establishment,” said part-owner Brandon Ney. “It gives us a chance to entertain and be entertained.”

Quarter offers a variety of import beers on tap as well as a wide selection of domesticated beers, wines and mixed drinks. In five weeks, a Quarter home-brew beer will be available on tap. Among the beverage selection, Quarter offers all the accommodations of a coffee shop and a lunch and dinner menu.

For those who enjoy reading a good book, Quarter offers a wide array of books both for sale and for in-restaurant reading. Customers are invited to bring in used books to trade — Ney said if customers bring in two used books, they can take one home.

“We are not trying to make a big profit on books, we are just trying to acquire more,” he said.

“Our future plans are to get the layout and the ergonomics both for customer service and for the behind-scenes service setup so we know what works well to keep customers happy,” said part-owner Chris Hensey. “We are also working on beer and food recipes that are our own and that customers are really happy with.”

Being off the main branch of businesses in Uptown Oxford has not been a problem. Lunch and dinner sessions have proven that people don’t mind stepping out of the High Street frenzy to nestle into the environment that Quarter offers.

“It has a very relaxing and inviting feel,” said university student Brian Schwein. “It is probably one of the better places in town to sit down and enjoy quality food and beer.”

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