“Bob’s at Barter” Opens Valentine’s Day in Abingdon, Virginia

Barter Theatre begins 2014 with a big renovation and a bigger musical

Abingdon, VA – Barter Theatre announces the February 14 grand opening of its new dining experience Bob’s at Barter, located at Barter Stage II.  The dining space opens just in time to serve patrons coming to “Man of La Mancha” the thrilling, theatrical musical beginning at Barter’s Main Stage.

Bob’s at Barter replaces the café at Barter Stage II, and features a brand new menu with more dinner and dessert options, as well as a completely renovated space. With new flooring, paint and light fixtures, as well intimate seating arrangements for comfortable conversations, and a more sophisticated decor, Bob’s at Barter is a cozy spot that invites patrons to linger before and after the show.

The entire renovation happened in a little over a month.  Barter’s final performance of the 2013 season took place December 29^th, and the space had to be completely redone in the month of January, when the theatre is dark.  The interior was stripped of furnishings, new flooring installed, new layout constructed, painted, décor and furniture installed, all in just under 45 days.

According to Director of Patron Services Lori Hester, “when we started this renovation, we knew the two key things we had to get right were the food and the ambiance.  The new Bob’s at Barter is much more than a snack bar – it’s a place you’d want to bring friends or a date and have lunch or dinner.”

For Valentine’s Day, Barter Theatre is highlighting its Sweet Deal Package.  With two tickets to “Man of La Mancha,” at Barter’s Main Stage at 8:00pm, as well as two gourmet coffees and desserts at the new Bob’s at Barter for just $85, it’s the perfect Valentine’s date night.

Bob’s at Barter is open seven days a week beginning at 11:00am for lunch, dinner, or post-show.   Bob’s at Barter is open to the public – no ticket is required to dine in or pick up a meal.

The updated menu features some long-time customer favorites like the Porterfield Club sandwich, along with new menu items like a grilled cheese caprese sandwich; spinach salad with strawberries, candied pecans and blue cheese; stuffed mushroom Florentine; a black bean burger and roasted tomato bruschetta.  For the kids, Bob’s at Barter still offers grilled cheese and PB&J.

Valentine’s Day weekend also marks the beginning of Barter’s Main Stage Season. “Man of La Mancha,” beginning February 13^th, is the funny, imaginative musical based on the story of Don Quixote. Filled with memorable songs like “Dream the Impossible Dream” and “Dulcinea,” and “Man of La Mancha (I, Don Quixote),” it won five Tony Awards when it opened on Broadway in 1966.

“Man of La Mancha” takes the original novel “Don Quixote” and gives it a fascinating twist.  Author Miguel de Cervantes becomes a character himself, narrating the story of his novel as a play within a play.  When he is thrown in to a dungeon by the Spanish Inquisition, Cervantes rallies his fellow prisoners, pulling them in to the fictional world of Don Quixote that he has created.  In this bleak prison where no prisoner is likely to escape alive, their play-acting becomes more and more real, offering a temporary escape and a vision of real hope.

Bob’s at Barter is a great place to warm up with a cup of coffee, sit down for a light meal, or grab a snack before seeing a Barter Theatre production, like “Man of La Mancha” on Barter’s Main Stage or “Don’t Cry For Me, Margaret Mitchell,” currently playing at Barter Stage II.

For more information, or to book a package or tickets for any of Barter’s productions, visit www.BarterTheatre.com or call (276) 628-3991.

Read more about a RIchmond-area family’s Abingdon adventure: We Are Here! | Richmond Family Magazine