Downtown Bentonville just got a new reason to rally. We sit down with the force behind Fry, a hidden-in-plain-sight bar at 100 SW 2nd Street, built on a simple promise: keep prices fair, keep service quick, and make it easy for people to gather. Think a $7 old fashioned, a lunch-and-a-pint target around $12, and a menu anchored by focaccia-based “fry pies” designed for speed without sacrificing flavor.

We unpack the location’s advantages, it's steps from First Seat, Barley & Vine, and a cluster of downtown favorites, plus it has two patios that can shift from mellow afternoons to lively nights. The beer plan is purposefully tight: two house drafts, Fry Heavy and Fry Light, crafted with Trailhead. Packaged standbys will be there too, because inclusivity matters. The limited taps keep quality consistent and wait times low, taking a page from classic two-choice beer halls while leaving room to rotate specialties as production scales.

You’ll also hear the surprising origin of the name: a seahorse story that became a brand anchor and a reminder to keep going when plans fall through. From permitting wins and fast buildout to pop-up music on a compact front stage and a larger east patio that could host 100-plus by spring, the roadmap is clear. The bigger theme, though, is collaboration over competition. Our guest and Trailer Tony break down how breweries, bars, and neighbors turns a district into a destination and helps everyone grow in step with Arkansas’s evolving landscape.

Want first dibs on opening night and VIP tastings? Follow @fry_bentonville, subscribe to the show, and leave a quick review telling us which fry pie you want to try first. We’ll see you on the patio.