Owl Swoops Into The Westside On Memorial Day

Promising to be "different, better, local," Owl officially takes over from the shuttered Hammer & Ales this Memorial Day. Created by Stephan Galdau and his SMG Hospitality company, Owl will debut at 11 a.m., close to the intersection of Russell and Wynn.

Within this industrial neighborhood, Galdau intends to elevate Hammer & Ales' original dive bar charm. Currently planned to be open daily from 11 a.m to 4 a.m, Owl has applied to continue hosting up to 12 video gaming machines on the bar top.

Original plans called for 24 taps with eight dedicated to Nevada producers, including Tonopah Brewing Co., plus 120 beers in cans and bottles and "170 different spirits." Expect to hear "classic rock" and "classic hip-hop" on the soundtrack.

Galdau also announced early ambitions to revamp the menu, turning it into a "100% farm to table" experiment, including "lamb, beef, pork, fish" dishes.

Hammer & Aces was a 24/7 bar that received a Bar Rescue reality TV transformation from Jon Taffer in 2013. The bar eventually closed earlier this March.