BUCKHANNON – Evolution Bar and Grill is open and ready to serve patrons any time of the day.

Evolution Bar and Grill officially opened July 30 at 6 North Kanawha Street but had a grand opening celebration Aug. 13 and Buckhannon-Upshur Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting ceremony Monday, Aug. 16.

Chelsea Statton, owner of Evolution Bar and Grill, said they have been busy since they opened.

“This past Friday was my grand opening, so I did a lot of giveaways,” she said. “I did an arcade system giveaway, a TV giveaway, gift certificate giveaways, Visa gift cards. Everyone who came in got a free ticket, and then every hour from 8 p.m. until 2 a.m., I did a drawing, and then a couple door prizes, so I had a pretty good turnout on Friday.”

“On Saturday I had a DJ from Atlanta, and he was awesome,” she added. “Saturday was a little more packed than the grand opening because everyone was curious about the new Atlanta DJ, so he packed the place pretty good.”

She said their food options have been bringing customers in since the beginning and they recently started offering new drink options.

“I haven’t printed a signature drink menu yet, but I have it all written down – for example, our Chocolate Martini is awesome — they’re just phenomenal. I will sit here when I’m not working and I will have a couple of those when I can,” Statton said. “We also have a shot that’s called ‘Cordial Cherry,’ and it tastes like chocolate cherries. It’s really good, and our big one right now is the one that my husband came up with; it’s called an ‘Angry Apple,’ and it’s Fireball, Apple Crown and Cruzan 137.”

Statton said she enjoys a restaurant atmosphere in the day and then bar life after dinner.

“I get pretty busy with dinners, lobster tails and surf-and-turfs are really popular, so people come in and they want a dinner they can’t find elsewhere. Then after 9 p.m., I fold those tables up and then the night life comes out,” Statton said. “It’s been pretty good, I’ve been a little surprised at the business. I didn’t think I would do as well as I have, but apparently everyone wants to try the new place.”

Evolution Bar and Grill is open from 7 a.m. to 3 a.m., offering breakfast from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m., lunch from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., dinner from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. and bar food from 11 a.m. to midnight. A full menu and specials can be found on their Facebook page here.

“This Saturday I’m having Josh Folmsbee come out and he’s going to entertain from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., so we hope people will keep coming and enjoy the music,” Statton said.