The Attic and City Tap have become the latest hot spots in downtown Bowling Green.

The bars are owned by Jeff Hobbie, who also owns Uptown/Downtown, and Eric Pelham. Recently opened on Main Street, the establishment has drawn a lot of attention from bar-goers.

Pelham graduated from the University back in 2002. He got his start working with bars as a bouncer at Uptown/Downtown in 2002, and eventually worked his way up to general manager.

He had dreams of opening his own bar, and when the Junction closed down and went up for sale, that dream became a reality. He relied on his vision and Hobbie’s experience to get his plan off the ground.

‘It takes money and an eye to start a project like this,’ Pelham said.

He said the bar, formerly Junction Bar and Grille, had been left run down and poorly maintained. The owners chose to remodel the bar and split the establishment into two.

They wanted to offer a bar for both the 18 and older and 21 and older crowd. They chose to open the Attic and City Tap to satisfy both groups.

The Attic opened in late June to patrons 18 and up. The name came from the condition of the bar when they bought it.

‘It was pretty disgusting when we took over,’ Pelham said. ‘It reminded us of an attic.’

It features a patio with an outdoor bar, and offers a view unlike any other in Bowling Green.

‘[We] have one of the best views in town,’ Pelham said.

Another interesting aspect the Attic offers is a stripper pole. The pole was Pelham’s idea, for novelty. It has been a big hit, he said, and the bar had to reinforce it because a lot of guys were dancing on it.

Senior Erin Gruss has been a regular at the Attic since it opened.

‘The Attic brings a new flavor to Bowling Green,’ she said. ‘It is very refreshing to know that there is a new bar that has more than just a bar to it. A lot of the bars get old quickly.’

City Tap offers a more mature atmosphere. It opened in late August to patrons 21 and older, and offers 34 beers on tap. The bar also functions as a restaurant during the day.

‘City Tap has a more mature setting for the older crowd,’ Gruss said.

It features an original design, using colorful lighting and artwork made up of iconic liquor brands with uniquely shaped bottles. Pelham came up with this design himself.

‘It’s been my idea for about four years,’ he said.

Brittany Mansell is a bartender at both bars. She said City Tap gets a lot of compliments on the design and selection of the bar.

‘People come for the great atmosphere and the quality beer selection,’ she said.

The name comes from the feel of downtown Bowling Green (City) and the number of beers available on draft (Tap).

There are two pool tables and a foosball table between the two bars, and a back stairway that offers easy access between the Attic and City Tap.

More than anything, the Attic and City Tap want to offer Bowling Green a good experience.

‘Just because you’re in a college town doesn’t mean you should come in and feel like you’re sitting in a shack,’ Pelham said.