A new addition to Washtenaw County’s dining and entertainment scene is coming to the west side of Ann Arbor.
The restaurant and bar Sam Hill has moved onto a six-acre property at 5827 Jackson Road with plans to open there next month.
Micah Bartelme is one of the owners that have spent the past several months redeveloping the old Standard Bistro & Larder, adding an outdoor deck, patio and open lawn area to the confines of the former French cafe.
Sam Hill is an undertaking of BarStar Group, a privately held entertainment investment company that develops night spots and hospitality establishments in the area. Bartelme is the company’s CEO.
The indoor-outdoor watering hole is named after Sam Hill, a 19th century Michigan surveyor and mining developer was known for his foul-mouthed rants. The iconic adventurer’s colorful ramblings serve as a backdrop at the festive venue.
The theme is “good people pour choices.” It’s envisioned as a gathering spot where friends and families can enjoy food, local people, backyard vibes and killer cocktails.
“Sam Hill is where people gather when they’re looking for a good time,” its website boasts.
Sam Hill will feature a 1,000 square-foot brick paver patio along the west side of the building. The 4,650 full-service restaurant will remain relatively unchanged with a few minor cosmetic changes on the interior. Some of the offerings on the food menu will be boudin and po’ boys.
Outside is where the new owners have added most of their touch. The centerpiece will be a 6,000 square-foot beer garden and a lawned gaming area where guests can gather to play corn hole, bocce ball and giant Jenga.
The beer garden will be open from April to October, according to site plans. An outdoor deck on the top floor will have a stage and fire pits with several different seating areas. It’ll be used to host live music events, DJ’d entertainment, art gatherings and speaking engagements. A shipping container converted into a bar will serve frozen cocktails on the ground level.
Bertelme was unavailable to detail the target opening date. Sam Hill is currently hiring for all positions, according to a job ad posted this week on Craig’s List.
For more information on employment opportunities, click here.
