Pictured is an inside view of the Ransom Steele Tavern, located at 552 Main St. in Apalachin, N.Y., a music venue with a restaurant and bar. Completely renovated, the establishment opened the first week in June and hosts live music on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings. (Photos by JoAnn R. Walter)
From left, Ransom Steele Tavern owners, Michael Liberty Jr. and Mike Liberty, Sr., pose in front of the first floor bar at the Ransom Steele Tavern, located at 552 Main St. in Apalachin, N.Y. The music venue with a restaurant and bar, opened the first week in June following nearly two years of extensive renovations.
The Ransom Steele Tavern, located at 552 Main St. in Apalachin, N.Y., originally built in the early 1800’s by one of Apalachin’s early residents and pioneer merchants, Ransom Steele, started a new chapter this year, opening in June as a music venue with a restaurant and bar. For information, visit their web page, ransomsteeletavern.com or like them on Facebook.
Main Street in Apalachin, N.Y. is looking more like a picture postcard these days, but with an updated twist. The strikingly beautiful exterior and porches on the outside of the Ransom Steele Tavern, located at 552 Main St. on the corner of Pennsylvania Avenue, is a music venue with a restaurant and bar, and adds a distinct charm to the area. The tavern officially opened its doors the first weekend in June following nearly two years of extensive renovations.
As soon as you walk through the front door, you are immediately drawn to every aspect of the incredible craftsmanship of the tavern’s interior, and walk away feeling as though you are part of history-in-the-making. The property, known as the Steele Hotel in the early 1800’s, followed by the Exchange Hotel during the early twentieth century, and for decades known as just “The Hotel” by locals, was originally built by one of Apalachin’s early residents and pioneer merchants, Ransom Steele.
Apalachin natives and father and son, Mike Liberty, Sr. and Michael Liberty, Jr., with the help of local builders and contractors and using supplies from several local businesses, are pleased about their accomplishment of bringing back to life a historic property that sat vacant for many years, and deservedly so.
The process involved gutting the entire property and rebuilding it from a shell, keeping intact a few solid beams from Ransom’s hands, while also salvaging original wood for other uses, such as their handcrafted dining tables.
Now with a fresh new look including a large stage area, two bars on two levels, a second floor balcony, and outside porches, there is also a “wow effect” when you look from the main level to the roof line. With a number of views and details worthy of notice, there is even a wall filled with show posters to date, and a framed one dollar bill, the first dollar made on opening night.
Michael shared that the next chapter of the tavern is focused on fine-tuning the restaurant menu and networking to book local bands and regional acts. Word is out about the new venue, with some band contacts calling in from outside the region, including the east coast and midwest.
“We are booked into January now,” Michael shared.
Shows at the Ransom Steele Tavern, which start at 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday evenings and recently Thursday, include various genres of music; bluegrass, rock, country-rock, Americana, folk, and a little jazz, plus a host of others, and musicians are welcomed to feel at home in the tavern’s green room. Guests enjoy the spectacular view of the stage from the second floor as well as the spacious main floor, or hang out on the outside porches.
Ryan Cirbus, a music and band teacher for the Owego-Apalachin school district and a member of the band, Next to Kin, shared, “The ambience of the room is very conducive to music, aesthetically amazing, with an incredible vibe.“
In June, the Ransom Steele Tavern hosted a group of Apalachin Elementary fifth grade students and gave them the opportunity to play six songs on the brand new stage. The youth band, named, “Actually I’m Not Sure Yet,” filled the venue.
Dine-in or take-out is available at the Steele, including a variety of sandwiches, burgers, pizza and salads and other specialties, like calzones and a spiedie selection. To name just a few, pizza fans will enjoy the “Steele Supreme” or “Pizza Caprese,” and if you’re in the sandwich or burger mood, try the new “BBQ Turkey Philly,” “Big George” (named after a previous hotel owner) or the “John Barnaby” (named after the Civil War soldier who used the establishment for the Barnaby Academy). If your appetite calls for a big salad, there is a hearty chef, or “Roasted Pear,” among others. A variety of beverages are available, too; for example, local selections from the FarmHouse Brewery and Ithaca Beer Company.
Next to Kin is set to headline a show at the Ransom Steele Tavern on Saturday, Aug. 29 with opening act East Coast Bigfoot. Thursday, Aug. 27 features Pasty White and Doublewide, and Friday, Aug. 28 features Red Dog Run with opening act Whippoorwillow. For car enthusiasts, the Steele is hosting their first “Cruise In” on Wednesday, Aug. 26 with antique and classic cars, along with music performed by Band of Gold.
The Ransom Steele Tavern is open Monday through Thursday, 3 p.m. to 1 a.m. and Friday and Saturday from 3 p.m. until 2 a.m. For information including a complete event schedule, visit ransomsteeletavern.com or like them on Facebook.
