Saraveza, Beloved Wisconsin-Themed Beer Bar, To Close for Renovations

The North Killingsworth bar will undergo kitchen renovations in early October, re-welcome former chef

Saraveza, North Killingsworth's popular Wisconsin-themed beer bar, will close after the Packers' game this Sunday.

But it'll only be for a week. The bar will be expanding its kitchen for the first time since it opened in 2008.

In addition to the physical changes in the kitchen, the bar will also have a change of staff. Chef Dustin Gettman, Saraveza's original crafter of food, will return to the popular alehouse after time spent working at the New York City's Pok Pok location, Meriwethers in the Northwest Industrial district, and pFriem in Hood River.

"Dustin's talent in the kitchen was part of our immediate success," said owner Sarah Pederson to Willamette Week, "We're all pumped to watch him have fun with all the new toys in our kitchen."

Gettman says he is particularly excited to expand the pub's house-made charcuterie options, and to host a Friday night fish fry.

In addition to kitchen upgrades, the bar will have a cleaner look when the doors re-open, says Pederson.

"Upping our food game is my number one priority with the remodel, but after that, I want to breathe some fresh life into our space. I'll add a new coat of paint, move a cooler, change the back of the bar," she says. "It will feel more like a museum and not so much like a garage in here!"

No official re-open date has been announced, though Pederson says they plan to host a grand re-opening party (and 8th Anniversary bash) on Saturday, October 15.

In the interim, The Bad Habit Room—a speakeasy themed-companion restaurant to Saraveza located next door—will open its bar and kitchen from 4-10 pm, offering would-be patrons a place to sate their appetites for hops and food during renovations.

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