The owners of Rip Tide Bar and Lounge — the former dive bar and historic fixture on Pleasant Street — have contractors putting the finishing touches on a half-a-million-dollar renovation, including the installation of a new front entrance equipped with a handicap ramp. The bar is scheduled to open next month.
“We figured it was the right thing to do, which was just making the whole bar fully accessible,” co-owner Mike Vienneau told the Marblehead Current last week. “We believe it is the prudent thing to do in the long term.”
Of the $500,000 spent on the renovation, Vienneau said $70,000 went to accessibility upgrades, including $30,000 for the ramp.
“The Marblehead Disabilities Commission is appreciative of the time and money spent by the Riptide to comply with the disability regulations,” said Laurie Blaisdell, the commission chair. “The actions the Riptide has taken to make their front entrance accessible to provide access to their patrons with disabilities is admirable.”
Blaisdell added, “The owners have proven that they care about accessibility and we are hopeful that all businesses in town will adopt this mindset.”
The building, constructed in 1908, was originally a Ford Model T dealership. It later became one of the first bars in the area to be granted a liquor license after Prohibition. The overall renovation aims to retain the Rip Tide’s storied charm while incorporating modern conveniences.
There are improvements to the bathrooms, roofing and rear access, designed to bring the entire facility up to building codes and accessibility standards.
“At the end of the day, it’s gonna be great. It’s so much better to code,” General Manager Marc Berkowitz told the Current, sitting inside the establishment last week. “That cement step at the front door, honesty, thank god it’s been removed. I don’t know how that was going to work anyway, because I just imagined people tripping on the way out the door.”
Grand opening
Vienneau said an invitation-only grand opening is set for March 16, and Berkowitz said they plan on staging a soft opening in early March.
“We will have a first very quiet opening to work out the kinks,” Berkowitz said. “I would like to get the kitchen running, get everyone consistent, make sure that the new draft system works … because I don’t like bringing people in to see mistakes.
He added, “I like bringing patrons in and letting them be wowed.”
Sue Silva, who was on hand last week, has been hired as the new bar manager. She has decades behind bars in Salem, from Victoria Station and Rockafellas and Witches Brew to the Marina Bar Gardner.
“I have met many people from Marblehead over the years working in Salem, especially at the hotel and beer garden,” she told the Current. “Looking forward to seeing everyone again, so I’m excited.”
Vienneau purchased the commercial building and business from George Ciampa, the long-time owner of Rip Tide Bar, last year for $1 million.
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