It's back! After about $60,000 in renovations and remodeling (including the removal of the fireplace), the well-known 621 Restaurant and Martini Bar located at 621 Michigan Ave. in Downtown Lansing is reopening.
In 2008, owners, Julian and Juel Darden decided to close the space. “It was a perfect-storm combination of the economy and the [public road and sewer] construction happening right in front of 621,” says Julian. “We just felt like it was the wise thing to do at that time.”
The Darden’s instead invested in renovations.
The 3,000 square-foot space has a new bar, new floors and the old fireplace is gone, to create more room. The space “just needed a little TLC in certain places, just from age. So we fixed it up,” adds Julian.
And don't worry, some of its famous drinks will still be on the menu. The Michigan Avenue Martini is still available, along with a new rendition using blackberries.
There are 30 martinis on the menu to cater to many tastes. “It feels good to be back and have such positive feedback from the community,” says Julian.
Source: Julian Darden, 621 Bar
Writer: Suban Nur Cooley
All Photographs © Dave Trumpie
Enjoy this story?
Sign up for free solutions-based reporting in your inbox each week.