Three-story 'eclectic,' 'sexy' bar opens on Mass Ave. this week

A three-story lounge named for the Civil War general who invented sideburns opens Wednesday on Mass Ave between Stout's Shoes and The Eagle restaurant. 

The Burnside Inn opens at 10 a.m. at 314 Mass Ave. The bar "feels like you're walking up into an old hotel," said owner Ric Payne, who also owns the Wild Beaver Saloon. "The building itself has great character."

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"The main floor feels like you're in a New York shotgun bar," Payne said. "It's a very eclectic, very well-lit, kinda sexy room."

The Burnside Inn is named after Ambrose Burnside from Liberty, Ind., whose famously bushy facial hair eventually was named after him: sideburns.

The first floor features a piano and a marble bar with local beers on tap and a cocktail menu featuring $8 to $10 variations of Moscow Mules.

The second floor will have acoustic live music and stand-up. Velvet wall paper and design with "rich flavor" adorns the 2,400-square-foot Burnside.

Payne said he signed a more-than-decade-long lease at the spot with Brad Stout, owner of neighboring Stout's Shoes and owner of the building Burnside is housed in.

Payne said he's planning to be open for coffee and possibly pastries during the daytime, and a food truck partnership is in the works for lunch. Both of those additions will likely come after the holidays. 

"We'll bring a different flavor and venue to this little area right here," Payne said. "There's a lot of restaurants, there's a lot of food around here, but there's not a lot of live music.

"I guess we'll add a little bit of flavor to what others are doing."

Call IndyStar reporter Amy Bartner at (317) 444-6752. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.