June 1, 2023

The newest bar in downtown Sioux Falls opened at 11 a.m. today, aiming to serve customers “looking for something a little different.”

Rather than a posh cocktail lounge or large party venue, The Orion Pub at 127 W. 10th St. is a neighborhood pub that serves beer.

“What we want it to be is kind of like a little corner pub, a neighborhood pub,” said co-owner Jonathan Oppold of Sunny’s Pizzeria. “We’re kind of doubling down on the fact that there’s no small-town bar downtown too. I think we’re really going to cater to an audience that’s looking for something a little different. But I mean, we’re not reinventing the wheel by any means, but it’s definitely got a pretty pronounced theme and look and feel, and we want it to be vintage and retro. And we want it to look like it’s been here forever.”

He and co-owner Thomas Hentges accomplished that in The Orion Pub with a 14-seat bar that nearly fills the narrow space that is dark and cozy.

One wall is covered in wood paneling. There are beer signs, mounted deer heads, vinyl barstools, a row of old beer cans and a jukebox.

Additional seating includes three booths and a few tables near the door, brining the total capacity to more than 40.

“It’s nothing super fancy but definitely kind of a step up from a lot of the regular dive bars,” Oppold said. “The whole point is to be welcoming for all.”

Hentges emphasized that point.

“Big time for me, and Jonathan feels the same way, is finding a place where people can put the things that separate us as individuals that we can leave that at the door. Bring yourself in here, and be ready to just mingle with other people, celebrate our community rather than worry about the things that are different amongst us.”

The only bans are on children and pets.

The Orion Pub has 15 beers on tap – old-school choices like Hamm’s, Miller High Life, Grain Belt, Coors Banquet and Pabst Blue Ribbon, and offerings from local breweries.

Following another small-town tradition, garnishes like pickles and olives, and additions like tomato juice for a red beer are available. There are pickled eggs and pickled sausages.

Eventually, there will be pizza from Sunny’s. The owners want to focus on serving drinks for the first month or two. Like arrangements Sunny’s has with other bars, it will sell fresh pre-made pizzas to The Orion Pub that can be baked in a few minutes on-site.

Oppold and Hentges hope to create a place where sports fans can come to watch a variety of games on the three TVs. During the afternoon, on Sundays or for other major events, the country and classic rock music will be turned off, and the sound will be on for the games, Hentges noted.

“Not really that many places downtown do that,” he said.

They hope to become a place for Minnesota Vikings fans to gather and watch the games.

“You can go to a sports bar with 26 TVs and have every single game, plus,” Hentges said. “But it’s not that fun because you have all these little groups, where if you have like a whole team, like a whole bar full of people cheering for one team, one game, it’s almost like you’re at the game.”

Hours are 11 a.m. to midnight daily. Happy hour runs from 4 to 7 p.m. daily with $1 off tap beer, bottles and cans.