Café Bacchus will be the host of the next Morgantown Social NetworX Happy Hour on Thursday, March 3rd, 5:30p.m.-8 p.m.
Located in downtown Morgantown, Café Bacchus was built in 1895 for the dean of the School of Engineering and has remained true to its original state. It is listed as a historical site and is featured on the historical walking tour of the city.
The High Street house was also home to Lucian Smith, who was returning home from his honeymoon with his new bride, Eloise, on the Titanic when it sank in 1912. Eloise, who survived the sinking of the ship, was carrying their son. She named him Lucian after the father he never knew.
Annually, Café Bacchus hosts a variety of special events at the restaurant, including a dinner for Lucian. “To honor Lucian Smith and acquaint Morgantown residents with this sad but fascinating history, Café Bacchus created the Titanic dinner,” says Judy Spade, one of the owners of Café Bacchus. “This dinner features a recreation of the last meal on the Titanic and shares some history about those on the Titanic with Lucian.”
In the second half of the 20th century, the house came under the ownership of the Demanelis, a Greek family who turned the home into a steak house called The Flame. The Flame was very popular during its time; however, due to the age of the owners, The Flame closed in 1999.
In the fall of 2001, Café Bacchus opened. Heath Finnell was named the chef at the new restaurant and helped elevate the menu. A few years later, his wife, Judy Spade, joined the Bacchus team, and they became owners. Heath was born, raised and classically trained in San Francisco, where he was continually inspired by global fare and high-quality ingredients. The menu today has global influences and seasonal changes, and the chef’s charcuterie skills are reflected in his creative sausage specials.
Café Bacchus has hosted the MSNX group several times over the last four years. “We are extremely excited to have the group back,” Judy says of the upcoming Happy Hour. “It always brings such a great cross-section of individuals from Morgantown and the surrounding area.”
MSNX Happy Hour events are open to all, so bring your spouse, significant other or friends—the more, the merrier. Each attendee is responsible for their own bill, and the venue offers specials to MSNX attendees. Happy Hour pricing on March 3 will include $5 glasses of white and red wine and sangria; $3 off regularly priced cocktails and $2 off the beer selection.
Plenty of parking is available. Café Bacchus shares the lot with Hotel Morgan, and guests can park for free in the lower part of the lot and behind the restaurant. Guests can also park on Kirk Street or at meters along High and Foundry streets.
To learn more about Café Bacchus, follow them on Facebook, check out their website at www.cafebacchus.net, visit them at 76 High Street or call (304) 296-9234.
For more information on this and future MSNX events, follow Morgantown Social NetworX on Facebook or on Twitter at @WVMSNX.
