After 20 years of business, Spectators Sports Bar & Grill will close Jan. 1 and be turned into something new.
"We will remodel, rebrand and rename, and hopefully open a new place in April with a whole different feel," owner Scot Drinkard said.
Spectators opened in 2001 on Missouri Boulevard and moved to 232 E. High St. 10 years later. For about the last eight years, it's had the same look and feel.
"It's time for a change," Drinkard said. "We've had fun with it, but I just feel like this whole place has just run its course. It really has."
While he won't give away much detail, Drinkard said the new business will have a "neat, big-city" vibe. He doesn't plan to just change a few things - he wants it to have a completely different look.
"When you walk in here in April or May, I don't want you to see anything Spectators," he said. "I want you to feel like you're coming into a whole new place."
Drinkard denied rumors it will be turned into a country bar. While he had considered that, he decided to go with something different than a standard bar - though the new place will still serve alcohol.
With people not gathering inside in large groups as much, the pandemic has changed the way Drinkard looks at the bar and restaurant business. Downtown Jefferson City has lost much of its energy over time, and Spectators has been decreasing in sales, he said.
"We used to jam 200-300 people in here every Friday and Saturday night," he said. "Those days are kind of over it seems. We're going to try to change with the times."
Drinkard owns several other businesses in Mid-Missouri, including The Pizza Company and The Office Bar. He is also one of four local business owners who is turning the former Capital Bowl property into a family entertainment center with an arcade, bowling lanes, and a full restaurant and sports bar. Much of the furniture from Spectators will be moved to that building, which is expected to open in December.
While he has enjoyed the experience, Drinkard isn't sad to see Spectators go. He expects to have many of the same customers and is excited to start a new venture, he said.
"With everything I have going, I don't sit still long enough to think about, 'What if?'" he said. "We've enjoyed the ride, and we've enjoyed all the customers. It just needs a different feel, different vibe."
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