A new downtown bar and grill is hitting high notes with local karaoke enthusiasts.
Sing It or Wing It is a restaurant full of energy with the stage constantly packed with would-be entertainers and tables loaded with the eatery's signature wings, burgers, dogs, salads and steaks.
The Market Street restaurant has been a hit since opening in early June, said co-owner Scottie Bowman. Ms. Bowman, who is partnering with Gina Bennett in the opening of the karaoke bar/eatery, is sole owner of The Big Chill directly across Market Street. Competing with herself is not an issue, she said.
"I weighed the idea of opening this restaurant very heavily," she said. "But then I realized that the two restaurants had totally different concepts."
The Big Chill offers karaoke Tuesday nights only from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. It doesn't serve lunch and never closes before early morning, Ms. Bowman noted. Both eateries offer full menus, but are diverse.
"It was Gina's dream to have a karaoke bar," Ms. Bowman said. "She sings like an angel and knows a lot about music. Sing It or Wing It is her concept and my know-how."
The family-friendly restaurant welcomes children up until 9 p.m., at which time the over-21 crowd takes over.
"There's no reason why kids shouldn't be a part of this," Ms. Bowman said. "They are loving it. Kids know so much about music and songs."
Karaoke enthusiast Richard Glover has taken the stage at Sing It or Wing it a few times already and said he enjoys it.
"Great food, great prices, great fun," he said, adding, "They video it, so you can see people singing on the TVs on the walls if you can't see the stage. It's really pretty cool. Then you can see all the performances on their Facebook page, too."
Work began on the space about a year ago. The restaurant, formerly occupied by Nestle Toll House Cafe and Brickhouse Subs, now has a sleek, club feel. Dark walls accented with oversized framed posters of Bob Dylan, Aretha Franklin, Johnny Cash and other musicians, along with a stage at the end of the shotgun design, let you know this place is meant for singing.
Stainless steel tables with black-and-stainless stools, a menu with choices for every palate, along with a fully stocked bar, let customers know food and beverage are a big part of the experience as well.
The stage can expand for planned dueling piano nights.
"Plus, we've planned live entertainment, maybe once a month," Ms. Bowman added. "But we don't want to take away from the karaoke."