After a few unforseen delays, the Pony finally opened in Lakeview last month. Filling the void left by shuttered Irish pub Gunther Murphy's, the Pony elevates the typical neighborhood watering hole with luxurious design materials. The exterior flaunts horizontal panels of rich Brazilian ipe wood, while the entryway is made entirely of slate.
The 2,500-square-foot first floor is decked with hickory walls and floors plus exposed wooden ceiling beams, giving off an upscale horse stable feel. High-backed chocolate-brown leather booths with individual flat-screen TVs and a 38-foot copper-topped bar with bucket-style barstools seat as many as 80 people. Behind the bar, colored cut-glass wall sconces with wrought-iron piping are complemented by matching light fixtures.
The Pony offers private party space upstairs for as many as 100 people. A custom-built bar, cranberry walls, leather booths, and eight flat-screen TVs set the stage for laid-back functions. On both levels, four large windows fold out to create an open-air atmosphere. Music resonates throughout the upstairs area via a sound system, while a DJ sets the musical backdrop downstairs on weekends. Full buyouts of the entire space are available.
The Pony's menu serves up American classics like burgers, wings, and buffalo chicken sliders. Signature dishes include the "Clydesdale," a four-person grilled cheese served with a tomato-basil dipping sauce, and a variety of "stacks," sandwiches with gravy-soaked bread and a choice of toppings. A weekend brunch offers Southern-style favorites such as chicken and waffles and biscuits with sausage gravy. Planners can customize menus for private events.
