The restaurant, Connecticut’s first Bar Louie location, plans to open in March.

Hummus, Pesto Hummus, and Tzatziki is a popular appetizer at Bar Louie. Photo courtesy of Bar Louie

By Ronni Newton

Bar Louie will be bringing its made-from-scratch American food and handcrafted signature martinis to West Hartford’s Blue Back Square this March, Director of Marketing Javier Souto confirmed Thursday.

“March 15 is our estimated opening date,” Souto said.

Bar Louie will be located on Isham Road, in space that has been combined from the former Umi Sushi and Au Bon Pain restaurants.

According to its website, Bar Louie describes itself an “eclectic urban bar with warm surroundings, filled with nightlife photography, hand-laid tile artwork and other local architectural touches.”

The Diva is one of Bar Louie’s signature martinis and contains SKYY Pineapple, PAMA Liqueur, pomegranate syrup, pineapple juice, and fresh-cut pineapple. Photo courtesy of Bar Louie

Bar Louie currently has more than 100 locations throughout the country, but West Hartford will be its first Connecticut location. There are two Bar Louie locations in Massachusetts (near Fenway Park and Gillette Stadium) and one in Providence, and a location in Long Island will be opening soon, Souto said.

“We’ve been looking to expand in the northeast,” Souto said. West Hartford matches up well with the restaurant’s consumer segments, he said.

Each location has its own unique aspects to the design of the restaurant and bar space, Souto said.

The food, which includes small plates, burgers, and sandwiches, is also regionally-inspired.

“We cater to the local community,” Souto said. The beers on tap are also geared toward what people in the area like to drink.

Souto said that the Blue Back Square location will have garage doors that can be opened during warmer months, creating an indoor/outdoor space. They will also be presenting a plan to the Town of West Hartford to obtain permission for outdoor dining.

“We are happy to welcome Connecticut’s very first Bar Louie location, which is a great complement to our existing retail and restaurants in Blue Back Square,” said Elizabeth Zigmont, marketing director for Blue Back Square.

Zigmont said that Bar Louie is planning to hold a job fair in the former Munson’s Chocolates space (62 Isham Rd.) beginning Feb. 8. The job fair will be open Monday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. through 7 p.m., through Feb. 27. Further details will be available on Blue Back Square’s website.

Based on the restaurant opening on time, the “Go Big” grand opening is tentatively scheduled for March 25-26. The grand opening will include specials on martinis and appetizers. If the opening is delayed, the celebration will be held the weekend after the restaurant opens, Souto said. While build-out appears to be on track at this point, weather or construction-related issues could lead to delay.

To stay up-to-date with plans for the opening and special offers by email, sign up for “Louie’s Crew” by clicking here. Souto said that the “Mobile Mob” which will offer text updates should be available beginning March 1. At that time interested parties will be able to sign up by texting “HARTFORD” to 52051.

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Sesame Chicken Lettuce wraps are made from seared sesame chicken, green onion, cilantro, carrot, water chestnuts, rice sticks, ginger and soy sauce, served with romaine lettuce cups, sweet thai chili and dijon mustard sauces. Photo courtesy of Bar Louie