Game On, Williamsburg! Bookie’s Sports & Rec Opens October 23
The team behind Against the Grain Hospitality is at it again, this time hoping to hit it out of the park with Bookie’s Sports & Rec, a neighborhood hangout and sports lounge.
Bookie’s plans to open its doors on Friday, October 23. Located on Jamestown Road in the Colony Square Shopping Center, it will occupy the same location as The Carrot Tree prior to their move in May. Before that, The Polo Club Restaurant & Tavern operated in this ample space, that boasts 4,900 square feet of space (perfect for a sports-themed restaurant!).
Against the Grain Hospitality (ATG), the Williamsburg-based parent company behind Amber Ox Public House, Precarious Beer Hall, Cook’s Burger Bar and The Bake Shop, is adding Bookie’s Sports & Rec to its family of businesses. For this new venture, founders Andrew Voss and Chris Cook are partnering with Simon Elaban, ATG’s Director of Culinary Operations, and Nick Graziano, ATG’s Director of Operations.
I caught up with Nick yesterday inside the large, gleaming (yet cozy) sports bar.
“Williamsburg is a town that loves its sports,” he says. “We want to provide a fun space for sports viewing, with top-notch service and consistent menu offerings. We are hoping that you can come in every week – or multiples times a week – and find that the wings and pizza are always good and the beer is always cold.”
Their specialty will be Midwest tavern style pizza, square cut with a thin (but not cracker thin) crust. “It’ll be crispy with a subtle bite to it, and very easy to eat. We’ll also have great wings, chicken cutlet sandwiches, salads and light bites.”
There will be options for all palates, including vegetarian, vegan and gluten free patrons. Don’t drink alcohol? They’ve got it covered. “We have a nonalcoholic craft beer that we produce at Precarious,” Nick says. “It’s called ENAY Brewing Company and there are three different styles of that. Over the last year and a half, those brews have really exploded for us.”
Like the other establishments run by these culinary powerhouses, Bookie’s will operate under the umbrella of Against the Grain Hospitality (ATG), a modern hospitality company based here in Williamsburg. Known for innovative, eclectic menus and unique dining experiences, their menus feature locally sourced ingredients, and their operations promote sustainability. Their hallmark, however, is the delivery of exceptional experiences for foodies and casual diners alike.
“Simon and I are both employees of Against the Grain, and we oversee our other locations too,” Nick says. “As Director of Operations, I’m more front-of-house focused whereas Simon, a chef by trade, is our Director of Culinary Operations.”
At Bookie’s, the ambiance and décor are almost a hybrid between Amber Ox Public House and The Precarious Beer Project. The exposed ceilings are tall and black, uncovered to create a raw, modern aesthetic. The industrial vibe, juxtaposed with the warmth of wooden walls, sumptuous, comfy booths finished in a rich green lends itself to a very inviting atmosphere. Large TVs are everywhere. Because…sports lounge.
Enter the restaurant to find there’s a separate living room space on the left, with sofas and, of course, a TV. Just beyond that there’s a small but mighty arcade. “What started out as a fun sports bar concept has turned into this and I think it’s amazing, a great vibe,” Nick says. “It’s sleek but homey and comfortable.”
The cozy living room space with soft seating is available for small groups to rent, perhaps to watch Sunday football for a few hours.
Guest seating will be abundant, with about 150 seats. There are 16 seats at the bar, with the rest in low top tables and booths. They plan to open the patio as well.
Televisions are everywhere. There are 25 screens in total, three of which can be programmed to show either one game or four separate games. “We can play up to six different games or sources at a time, so we’ll have all the football, basketball, and hockey – you name it,” Nick says.
Each of the partners was involved in designing the space, along with hands-on execution of the plans.
(Currently, that space features a full view of the kitchen, which I sort of dig, but I guess a bar needs a place for its bottles.)
“We didn’t have anything to do with the wood finishes, but we were in here every day, tweaking as the day went on.”
The menu is being designed by Ileana White, a prominent Williamsburg chef.
“We have brought over Chef Ileana who was with us at Amber Ox,” Nick says. “So, she will be opening the kitchen here as Executive Chef. She and Simon have been working closely together on the menu.”
“We want this to be the local spot. Not only a great hangout spot, but a place folks can get a killer bite to eat at a reasonable price point as well.”
Though the aesthetic might be reminiscent of both Amber Ox and Precarious, the food will be incredible, even if slightly less elevated. “We aren’t a scratch, farm to table dining experience like Amber Ox, but we want to be a happy medium. Everything will be house made and fresh, never frozen.”
As they began fleshing out the spaces, the partners decided to look back to the 1990’s for inspiration. “We feature photos and memorabilia of sports and athletes on the walls from that decade.”
The walls are finished in white oak which contrasts beautifully with the wooden furniture that boast a pop of color with dark green cushions and gold accents here and there.
“It’s almost like a fancy sports lounge more so than a sports bar,” Nick says.
For those who have frequented businesses in this location in the past, they won’t recognize much, but Nick says that the bones of the place are intact. “We pushed the kitchen back about three feet and tore the walls and ceiling down. Otherwise, it’s the same blueprint.”
When the exterior metal siding around back was replaced, an old “Blue Rose Café” sign was uncovered. “That was pretty cool. I think they were open during the 1980s before the Polo Club. The Polo Club was my parents’ hangout. They would bring me and my sister here. It was a local spot where you could get a great burger, a cold beer, and the bartenders and servers were always friendly.”
Over the years, Nick has gotten to know the Chohany family (original owners of the Polo Club and Second Street Bistro across town) and has kept them informed about what’s going on with their old digs. It is, after all, a small town with generations knitted together, one to the next.
“Our chicken cutlet club sandwich will be named the Polo Club,” he says.
Bookie’s will aim to keep prices reasonable. “We are not trying to outprice our locals. We want them to be our bread and butter, and we hope this to be their spot. Whether you’re a sports fan or not. If you’re a sports fan, come for the TVs, if not, come for the food. We’ll have something for everyone.”
Nick says that things are pretty much dialed in at this point, so they are turning their attention to hiring and training staff.
“Staff and training is the biggest piece. Through all of our openings (except for the Bake Shop) the senior leader that we bring over to run the establishments has been with us previously. So, our front of house restaurant supervisor Kyle Moyer will be coming from Amber Ox, and Jayson Neualt, former General Manager at Amber Ox will be assisting both here and Amber Ox.”
Reservations will be accepted, at least at first. “As we figure out how the space will flow, we will take reservations for parties of eight or nine or more, probably with a two-hour cap. We will also welcome walk-ins.”
Want to go?
Bookie’s Sports & Rec plans to hold its grand opening on Friday, October 23 beginning at 11 a.m.
Address: 1303 Jamestown Road, Suite 135, Williamsburg, VA, in the Colony Square Shopping Center.
Website: https://www.bookiesrec.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bookiesrec
Facebook: Follow Bookie’s Sports & Rec through the Facebook link on their website.
General inquiries: info@bookiessportsandrec.com
About me:
One of the things I love about Williamsburg is that there’s always another story to tell. A familiar restaurant space gets a new chapter, local entrepreneurs bring an idea to life, and we gain another place to gather with friends and neighbors. Bookie’s is a great example of how a community can welcome something new while keeping a connection to its past.
I’m John Womeldorf, known to many as “Mr. Williamsburg,” a longtime local resident and Realtor with Liz Moore & Associates. For 25 years, I’ve helped people buy and sell homes in this area. But helping someone find their place here involves much more than bedrooms, bathrooms and square footage. It’s also about the restaurants, small businesses, recreation and everyday experiences that make living here enjoyable.
That’s why I write these articles. I enjoy meeting the people behind local businesses, hearing their stories and sharing what’s happening around town. Whether you’ve lived here for decades, recently arrived or are considering a move, I hope these stories help you discover something new and feel a little more connected to Williamsburg.
You can find more local stories, neighborhood guides and real estate information at MrWilliamsburg.com. And if you’re thinking about buying or selling—or simply have a question about life in the area—I’d be happy to help. Williamsburg is my home, and sharing what makes it special is one of the most rewarding parts of what I do.