Correction — An earlier version of this story misstated what days Bandwagon is open. The brewpub on Cayuga Street is open Tuesday through Saturday, not Tuesday through Sunday.
ITHACA, N.Y. – Downtown is about to get a little less hopping. Bandwagon Brewpub has announced that it will close its Downtown Ithaca location to focus on its tasting room and brewery in Interlaken. The last day will be February 14th.
Started in 2009 in the basement of historic Clinton Hall at 114 North Cayuga Street, the brewpub is known for farm-fresh local pub grub offerings, and a bevy of craft beers, including many of their own creations. Over the past several years, the brews on tap grew with their production facilities; Bandwagon has been renovating a 19th century barn on the edge of Seneca County’s Interlaken village over the past couple of years, turning it into a production facility and tasting room for its latest and greatest batches. The Interlaken property invites musical talents and food trucks to their premises during the summer, giving guests some fine accompaniment as their enjoy swigs from their hyperlocal brew of choice. Future plans call for a beer garden to complement the tasting room.
According to 14850.com, the business owners are closing so that they can focus on operating the production facility, stating that the brewery was always their ultimate goal. Bandwagon’s yeasty selections will still be available at other local restaurants throughout the area, and will still continue to have a presence at community events and the farmer’s market.
Downtown Ithaca has hit a bit of a rough patch in the past few weeks. Bandwagon’s announced closure follows two eateries shutting down across the street on the Commons. Le Commons Bistro at 113 East State Street has been put up for sale, and the Subway at 220 East State Street is closed for the time being, its future uncertain.
While it’s still open, guests are still welcome to pay a visit to the Ithaca location from Tuesday through Saturday. The brewpub will rotate through some of its more popular homebrews from over the years to celebrate the happy times of its time in the heart of Ithaca, and to cheer on the brewery as the business moves forward.