Good Vibes Are on the Menu at The Well in Covington

BY KELSEY GRAHAM

It only takes one visit to Covington to keep you coming back. With its beautiful river and skyline views, breathtaking architecture and lively entertainment options and shops, it’s easy to fall in love with this river town. And that’s just what happened to Chase Daoud and Will Hodges, who recently opened The Well, the city’s newest neighborhood bar.

“Not only do Chase and I love Covington, but we also recognize how many people love this neighborhood over here,” Hodges tells CityBeat . “So we were like, ‘Okay, what is it missing?’”

They say they realized the area needed a cozy, welcoming neighborhood bar where visitors and locals could both commune. And thus, The Well was born.

With a concept and location in mind, Hodges and Daoud say they planned to commandeer the bar offerings but also knew they wanted food to be a part of the establishment. As luck would have it, a mutual friend introduced them to local chef Mitch Arens.

Instead of just hiring Arens on as a chef, the three decided to join forces and go into business together, with The Well serving up drinks and bar vibes and Arens overseeing the food menu through Grub Local, his own business housed inside the bar.

“Our goals were aligned, not only with what we wanted out of business but what we wanted out of life and offer the community of Covington for a good time and great eats.”

Hodges says it was vital for them to create a space that was fun and welcoming to all.

“It’s a great place just to sit back, relax, unwind, and meet some current or new friends,” Hodges says.

The bar’s interior is a mix of industrial meets modern style, with exposed brick walls and wood floors that create a cozy environment for both kids and adults. Not only can visitors catch up on sports with the television screens around the bar, but there’s also trivia hosted by Q102 personality Natalie Jones on Tuesdays, live music on Thursdays and a DJ on Saturdays.

“It’s a vibe when you walk in here,” Hodges says. “It’s always so much fun, not only on the weekends but the weekdays.”

Unlike many bars where seating leaves something to be desired, Hodges assures guests they’ll find a comfy spot to sit while mixing and mingling.

“Every seat is comfortable,” said Hodges. “We thoroughly tested every seat before we bought it.”

The Well also provides patio space for guests to enjoy the warm sun’s rays and a refreshing beverage. Hodges says the primary reason they chose the building was for the patio, and he’s counting down the days when the warm weather is here to stay so they can open up the space. He adds that there even will be a window to the kitchen where guests can place their orders while enjoying the patio when the weather is nice.

The patio features a commemorative mural painted by Cincinnatibased artist Joshua Stout, incorporating area favorites like the wings of the flying pig with shout-outs to the Cincinnati Reds and Cincinnati Bengals along with a beer bottle as a nod to the location. Hodges says he hopes this mural becomes a spot where patrons visit and take pictures, becoming a mainstay of the city.

Hodges, Daoud and Arens created a food and beverage menu that the website describes as a “tasty spin on classic American food and cocktails.” Hodge says they collaborated with a local mixologist to create more than half the cocktails on the current drink menu, noting that the bar’s most popular cocktail –Trending So Hard – is a delightfully bright mix of vodka, elderflower, lemon juice, grapefruit and thyme. The menu also offers a mix of wines and local and domestic beers on tap. Hodges says they’ll revamp the drink menu quarterly and use the staff’s expertise to see what drinks need updating.

As for the food, Arens created a menu that offers tasty mains spanning from a po’boy sandwich with fried Gulf shrimp and a Cajun remoulade to a jumbo coney with lamb birria on a toasted bun. There’s also a plethora of shareable snacks, including Philly cheesesteak tots and a savory concoction called hanky panky, bites made with Eckerlin Meat’s goetta, cheese, caraway, Pickled Pig kraut and fry sauce. Arens also has a pimento mac-ncheese on the menu, which is one of Hodges says is one of his favorite items.

“It is everything,” he says. “It is so good.”

The building’s second floor doubles as an event space that can be rented out for parties or provide a quieter retreat for bar patrons to slip away to if they need a break from the lively energy downstairs.

Hodges says he strongly believes in making The Well a friendly and welcoming atmosphere and thinks the staff they’ve assembled has made this vision a reality.

“I believe we hit a home run with our staff,” he says.

Hodges says he’s thankful for the support and warm welcome that the local community has shown their business since opening in December.

“You have some heavy hitters down here that are amazing corporations, and we’re just very thankful and excited to be a part of the city and what this block is doing,” Hodges says.

“The city of Covington and the community down here on Seventh Street has embraced us with open arms,” he continues. “We love it down here. Everybody is extremely nice, patient, and understanding, especially as an opening goes. We really thank the patrons that are coming to try us. We can’t thank everyone that comes in enough for giving us a shot.”