BaseCamp, a sports bar offering an accessible menu, craft beer, cocktails and numerous televisions will open its doors in downtown Austin later this fall. Located at 120 West 5th Street, BaseCamp will provide a unique place to grab a beer and catch a game while enjoying thoughtful classic American cuisine with a Texas focus.
Leading the team is owner Chad Barrett, a founding partner of locally based commercial real estate firm AQUILA Commercial. Going back to his roots as a bartender at a nightclub in college, Barrett opened Summit Rooftop Lounge at 120 West 5th Street in 2013, an upscale nightlife establishment that boasts a rooftop view featuring some of downtown Austin’s most iconic buildings. A long time sports fan himself, Barrett felt the sports bar and restaurant market in the heart of Austin was underserved. “I wanted to create an establishment that is comfortable to watch a game while enjoying fresh and distinctive food,” comments Barrett. Seeing this void in the marketplace, Barrett connected with friend Dan Wyman, an established hospitality veteran, about bringing his vision to life. “Dan’s background with some of Austin’s most celebrated restaurants gives BaseCamp that something extra: a menu that is thoughtful, prepared with fresh ingredients, and a staff and atmosphere that assures that the experience will be both lively and fun,” notes Barrett.
With managing experience from Parkside Projects (Parkside, Olive & June, Backspace, Bullfight) and Uchi, the aforementioned Wyman is the group’s General Manager and Partner. Entering the hospitality world at the young age of 12, Wyman landed in Austin in 2009, hailing from acclaimed pan Asian street food restaurant Poleng Lounge in San Francisco, and began working for Shawn Cirkiel shortly after the opening of Parkside. Wyman assisted in the opening and conceptualizations of Backspace, Olive & June, Chavez and Bullfight, and then moved to the team at Uchi as a manager.
“We knew we wanted to open a place where you catch a game in an environment where food quality and genuine hospitality are not sacrificed,” says Wyman.
Round out the team is Eric Kuypers, an Austin native, who will act as Executive Chef. After graduating from Texas Culinary Academy, Kuypers honed his culinary skills at Uchi, Peached Tortilla and Barton Creek Country Club before joining the team at BaseCamp with former Uchi colleague Wyman.
Showcasing orginial American fare, the menu will focus on quality ingredients and will highlight mainstay items, in addition to seasonal features. “As a local Austinite, it’s important to me to use local products whenever possible. Our menu will have something for everyone – from light refreshing salads to traditional Texas BBQ,” notes Chef Kuypers.
Located on the first floor of 120 West 5th Street, BaseCamp will be open seven days a week, Monday through Friday from4 p.m. to 2 a.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. through 2 a.m. beginning fall 2015. For more information about BaseCamp, follow on social media: www.facebook.com/BaseCampATX or @basecampatx on Twitter and Instagram. Media inquiries can be directed to Cultivate Public Relations: caroline@cultivatepr.com.
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