Jessica and John Ludwig, the minds behind the dog-friendly Riley's Social House in the Third Ward, are developing another welcoming concept centered around community connection.

Riley’s Bar + Burger is the name of the new bar and restaurant slated for a May opening in the former machine shop at 100 E. Montana St. in Bay View.

As the name suggests, the new concept will center on burgers, beer and cocktails. It will offer a similar fast-casual ordering format to Riley’s Social House (with QR codes and kiosk-ordering). And the vision is to create a space that’s geared toward bringing the neighborhood together.

“We want to be the neighborhood burger joint,” says John Ludwig. “And we want to create an inclusive environment that really promotes social interaction.”

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What to expect

The 2700 square foot building offers just over double the space as Riley’s Social House in the Third Ward, and its 1960s vintage look provides the basis for the aesthetic.

“We’re looking at an industrial casual space with a modern feel,” Ludwig says, noting that the space will showcase a black and white color scheme with pops of color and grey carpet, all of which syncs with the glass block windows and cinderblock walls. 

Ludwig, who has already built the circle-shaped bar for the space, says it will accommodate 17 guests. An additional seven tables and lounge seating will complement a semi-open kitchen. And there will be an area equipped with dart boards and pub-style tables as well. 

While the format of Riley’s Bar + Burger will prohibit customers from bringing their dogs inside the eatery, the Ludwigs plan to make exceptional use of the property’s outdoor greenspace, installing an 80-seat dog-friendly patio with a pick-up window for walk-up orders and an outdoor bar. Plans also include outdoor dart boards and enhancements that will make the patio a pup-friendly destination throughout the warmer months.

Those burgers

The menu will center around Riley’s Wagyu smash burgers, something they previewed at Riley’s Social house this past year (see main photo).

The signature Riley’s Burger will feature double Wagyu smash patties, special sauce, American cheese, fried onions, pickled jalapenos and bread and butter pickles on a potato roll. There will also be a burger named for their kitchen lead: T’s Mushroom & Swiss featuring sauteed mushrooms and onions, Swiss cheese and burger sauce. There will also be burger specials that change weekly.

Sides will include thin-cut crispy fries available plain, with cheese sauce or with any number of house dipping sauces (ranch, spicy ranch, Sriracha aioli, curry ketchup, garlic aioli, dill-lemon aioli and more). 

Non-burger items will include items like chicken tenders, crispy cauliflower bites, chips and dips and locally-made lumpia from Lumpia City. Tavern-style thin crust pizza with toppings like pepperoni, jalapenos, mushrooms and pickles, will also be available.

At the bar, Ludwig says they will feature 15 drafts, a nitro cold brew line and myriad cocktails. 

On weekends, Riley’s will open at 10 a.m. to offer a small menu of breakfast items, including a breakfast sandwich and breakfast burrito. 

Tentative hours for Riley’s Bar + Burger will be Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. The kitchen will be open until one hour before closing.