This spring, the good drinkers of the White River Valley will have another watering hole to visit. When Babes Bar opens in May at 221 Main Street at the old Bethel Depot, it’ll offer classic cocktails, local wines and ciders, and coffee, according to co-owner Owen Daniel-McCarter.
Daniel-McCarter is opening the place with his partner — in life and business — Jesse Plotsky. Both have worked at bars, but this is the first food and beverage business for the couple, who will move from their current home in Chicago. There, Daniel-McCarter is an attorney working to increase LGBTQ inclusion through the Illinois Safe Schools Alliance, while Plotsky works in wine at Trader Joe’s by day and plays in bands by night.
Why abandon lucrative careers in a cultural center to open a bar in Bethel? First, Plotsky’s brother, Andrew Plotsky (of Farmrun and, with wife Rita Champion, Stitchdown Farm), lives nearby. “We’ve been to visit a few times,” Plotsky said, “and it just seems like there’s this energy in Bethel, this revitalization of the downtown going on right now. People are putting new energy into new businesses, invigorating the community space and envisioning a future.”
The Babes co-owners don’t plan a significant food component for the bar, but they intend to engage food trucks to sling eats during the summer and to host cultural programming such as live music and movie nights.
The original print version of this article was headlined “Babes’ Welcome”
This article appears in Feb 21-28, 2018.
Got something to say?
Send a letter to the editor and we'll publish your feedback in print!
Bethel?
Do they realize there is virtually no parking there?
and there is a reason the downtown is bust?
Good luck!….
There is street parking and a lot across the street. Can’t wait to check it out this summer!
I love the idea and that they are doing something new and different!! Can’t wait to see the results!
I there has been plenty of parking all these years and it will be great to see some new life in the depo. It has needed a change . I will see you when you open! Welcome to Bethel!
Welcome to Bethel! There has always been plenty of parking in the past so I’m sure that will be no problem. It will be nice to see new life in the depo. It has needed it for years. Can’t wait to see you when your open!
Plenty of parking? Lmao. Yea for five cars at most. Good luck…. I’m willing to bet that they don’t make it more than two years.
Welcome to Bethel!! We are a happy work-in-progress!! Cant wait to meet you and see new life in the Depot!
Change is always good, cant wait to see what you bring to my home town. Movie night will be interesting! Welcome aboard!!!!
Looking forward to some local ciders, some more food possibilities and a new place for socializing in my hometown of Bethel! I think the wine will be popular and as always some live music will be an exciting change! With enthusiasm Anything is Possible!
The Bethel Depot was my “home” for about 30years of my life. My step mom ran the bar for 17 years and after her I did. The closing of the depot brought my ten years of helping run the bar and bartending to an end but the memories will never fade. In all those years I had birthday parties, a baby shower and a wedding reception there. The customers were much more then customers they became my family. It will be different and strange to see the building be something new but new could be good.
Great new watering hole in Bethel with some tasty food as well. Don’t think parking will be problematic as, in addition to unmetered street parking there is a lot next to a local bank. Owners are friendly and accommodating. Co-owner Jesse is a musician so sound system is great, either upstairs or on the main floor. We need more local music venues in the Bethel area, so kudos to Jesse and Daniel!