CINCINNATI -- The Treehouse Patio Bar in Over-the-Rhine is already adding more rope swing seats before its grand opening, according to one of its owners.
"We are actually adding about 10 more swings away from the bar because of the high demand from the soft opening," said Zac Costa, who launched the outdoor patio bar at 1133 Sycamore St. with business partner Casey Elder last week.
Costa said he and Elder opened the bar for walk-in traffic last Saturday to train staff before a planned grand opening the weekend of June 10. The 16 rope swing seats surrounding the bar attracted a bachelorette party, people on pedal wagons and others to the space.
"We had about 75 guests in here at about 8 p.m.," Costa said. "They saw the swings. Everyone just wanted to swing."
Costa said that is when he and Elder decided to add more swings to the bar, which was modeled after a childhood treehouse and built to seat about 100 people. Multiple visits to the Mojito Bay Tiki Bar in Put-in-Bay, just north of Sandusky, Ohio, inspired the Treehouse concept, he added.
"There was always a wait for swings there," Costa said.
Costa said Treehouse's menu focuses on craft beer and shareable cocktails.
"You can order one cocktail and share one punch bowl with your friends," he said.
Costa, who also owns the soon-to-open Salon Blanc in Mount Adams, said it took about six weeks to build the patio bar. He and Elder are leasing the space from Julian Rodgers, the owner of OTR Live.
The group also hired local artist Vince DiBasio to paint a mural in the patio area.
"He actually did the elephant mural at (Over-the-Rhine bar) Mecca," Costa said.
The Treehouse patio is completely outdoors. Elder said he and Costa plan to open an indoor nightclub in an adjacent building within 90 days.
Elder said he and Costa are opening the bar again 4 p.m. Friday for a "Puppies on the patio" event, where guests are welcome to bring their dogs. After the grand opening Treehouse will be open seven days a week.
"We're going to be dog friendly, too," Costa added.
