Oliver's Brewhouse & Grill opens in Lincoln

Oliver's Brewhouse and Grill, taking over the old Beermann's Restaurant and subsequent Double Barrel Smokehouse at 645 5th St., arrived big time with a sneak preview Sunday and continued the roll with its "soft opening" Tuesday. The Sunday affair was an invitation-only event for 300-plus, mostly drawn from the Roseville House of Oliver's patron list, plus some Lincoln and area guests. When we arrived for the 6 p.m. opening, the line stretched from the front door to F Street and down the entire length of the building. Impressive! Our names were eventually checked off, we were each handed a drink ticket and entered the crush of visitors on both occupied levels. Downstairs packed; upstairs theatre room (termed The Grand Ballroom) packed; second floor billiards room packed; steakhouse (named The Antlers) packed; cigar room packed. The third-floor mezzanine overlooking the theatre room looked packed. Complimentary heavy appetizers included sliced steak with two sauces, jumbo shrimp, oysters on the half shell, individual pizzas and puff pastries. The kitchen staff really knows what they're doing. Music flowed from the Albertson Duo on the main floor and a piano player entertained in the theatre room. The mix of visitors ranged from the mid-20s to really active seniors. The building is a Lincoln institution. The 12,800-square-foot, three-story facility was built in 1868 by Fritz Beerman and his son, Charles, who later became the town treasurer in 1892. There are a myriad of rooms, large and small, plus a full stage for live productions. Owner Matt Oliver is an experienced restaurateur. His Roseville House of Oliver is highly successful and will remain open. The Lincoln facility is scheduled to provide not just fine food in a fun and sophisticated atmosphere, but an entire experience that Lincoln has been looking for a long time. Planned events include Murder Mystery Dinner nights, comedy nights, concert events and live music nights. There will be a wine club and a whiskey club, plus a cigar room. Lunch traffic was somewhat light for Tuesday's inaugural lunch because, as Oliver said, they haven't done any real advertising as they're still in their "shake-down" period. The restaurant will be open for lunch and dinner Tuesdays through Sundays. The Antler's Steakhouse and major entertainment, i.e., murder mystery dinners and comedy nights, will begin mid-July. The grand opening will be Sunday, starting at 6 p.m.. Reservations are required at https://www.oliversbrewhouseandgrill.com/events.