Aug. 21, 2018

The owners of PAve drew on inspiration from Houston, Las Vegas and other major cities in creating their expanded upstairs and outdoor space.

It’s scheduled to open Aug. 28 and will add almost 7,000 square feet to the downtown bar and restaurant.

An enclosed year-round space features multiple seating areas, a bar, a space for pool and an elevated area with darts.

“That space was created to offer an alternative to the dance floor going on next to it,” co-owner John Geiken said. “It won’t be overwhelmingly loud in this space. It will be a little easier to have a conversation and mingle.”

An eye-catching mural by Sioux Falls artist Shaine Schroeder is a focal point above the bar.

“Shaine went crazy. I love it,” Geiken said.

PAve will add leagues for pool and darts during slower days early in the week and plans to screen off the adjacent bar and dance floor upstairs part of the time. The new space also is planned to host beanbag-toss leagues.

Outside, the patio “will be a little more lounge-feeling than maybe some people anticipated,” Geiken said.

There’s a lot of soft seating, lights strung overhead and two LED trees that eventually will light up.

Garage doors that can open fully or half-way create a unique indoor-outdoor feel, Geiken added.

“It’s different for Sioux Falls, and we really liked it,” he said.

The upstairs addition will be served with PAve’s full food menu and be open daily. The plan is to turn Sunday into a “funday” with an all-day happy hour and “bar Olympics” including giant Jenga and dice games. Morning yoga also is scheduled to be added.

A kickoff party Aug. 30 will include a DJ, photo booth, drink-ticket giveaways and half-price beverages all night starting at 8 p.m.

That’s the same day Lewis Drug and Sanford Health plan to open downstairs.

And as for the prominent “i love you” sign on the side of the building?

“We just wanted to send a positive message,” Geiken said.