When The Barley Hound opened as Prescott’s first gastropub five years ago, the eclectic culinary destination was an immediate favorite for its bone marrow and duck-fat fries, hipster vibe and the city’s best craft cocktail menu. Once again, the restaurant is paving the way for the area’s emerging culinary scene by debuting a “backyard” expansion that more than doubles the restaurant’s capacity, plus a design refresh and a new menu.
Now reopen, longtime fans of The Barley Hound will be greeted with a revived look and feel to its legendary location within a character-rich, Victorian-style home dating back to the 1900s. Already known as the undisputed best patio in Prescott in the front yard, the restaurant is further staking its claim by unveiling a 1,800 square-foot backyard. The shaded outdoor area plays host to a full-bar housed in a rugged shipping container, oversized communal tables, and outdoor games like cornhole and ping pong.
“In honor of The Barley Hound’s five-year anniversary, I really wanted to refocus the concept back to its roots from both a culinary and experiential standpoint to celebrate the restaurant’s unique character and big-city charm that you can’t find anywhere in town,” said Skyler Reeves, proprietor of Vivili Hospitality Group, who owns The Barley Hound. “It goes without saying that these last few months have been beyond challenging, but it gave us the time we needed to reevaluate who we are and what we can do operationally to create a more functional and enjoyable experience for our guests. We couldn’t be happier with the result and we look forward to welcoming back our friends and family very soon.”
Reeves and his partner Chef Tony Burris have also introduced a new menu while making sure to preserve the restaurant’s most popular staples including the Duck Fat Fries ($6/$8), ‘Merica Burger ($14) and Bread Pudding ($8). A few of the newest additions include Fully-Loaded Cauliflower Nachos ($18) with slow-roasted brisket, Southwest spiced white, purple and orange cauliflower, house-made nacho cheese, Pico de Gallo, bell pepper trilogy, green chili, pickled jalapenos, diced tomato and fresh cilantro; Duck Burger ($14) with house-ground chuck and duck breast, cherry jam, arugula, IPA mustard, smoked provolone, on a brioche bun; Portobello Mushroom Sliders ($12) with grilled portobello, mozzarella, roasted red pepper, basil pesto, arugula on a toasted brioche bun; and Aunt Andrea’s Flower Cake ($8) with Oreo crumb, gummy worms, milk chocolate pudding and a flower. There’ll also be an expanded wine list and selection of Arizona beers highlighting seasonal and rotating taps from local favorites like Granite Mountain Brewery in Prescott, Lumber Yard Brewing Company in Flagstaff, Oak Creek Brewery in Sedona and Helton Brewing Company from Phoenix. The duo plans to introduce more menu items in phases.
One of Northern Arizona’s favorite restaurants, The Barley Hound has also received a number of design upgrades. On the inside, the living room has been reimagined to give a homier vibe complete with funky furniture and a fast-casual counter where guests place a quick-order to take outside, while a fresh coat of paint brightens the exterior. The Barley Hound also plans to introduce new programming and specials on select nights throughout the week including live music, $2 tacos and the return of the popular Thursday “Run Club” where guests can jog a one or three-mile route around Prescott to earn $4 beers.
With the addition of the new outdoor areas, guests can expect The Barley Hound to follow all requirements and guidelines put in place by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in addition to the local government. The Barley Hound is gradually returning to its full time hours and is currently with limited hours. The restaurant is located at 234 South Cortez Street in Prescott, just a five-minute walk away from Whiskey Row. To see the full menu, operating hours and to stay up-to-date on weekly activities and programming, visit TheBarleyHound.com or follow @thebarleyhound on Instagram.
