Stafford 1911 celebrates grand opening Saturday in downtown Bryan

BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) - — The historic Stafford Theater in downtown Bryan is reopening under new ownership this weekend. The Stafford 1911, located at 106 S. Main St., will hold its grand opening Saturday, Aug. 1, with doors opening at 2 p.m. and the official celebration running from 6 to 10 p.m.

A venue with deep roots

Owners Chris Crow and Zeke Anglim said the Stafford holds personal significance for both of them.

“It’s one of the oldest music venues in the BCS area and honestly in Texas,” Crow said. “About 20 years ago, that was the first stage that I’d ever performed on. It’s kind of all come full circle.”

Crow said the two partners independently shared the same vision for the space before going into business together.

“Last year when Zeke and I decided that we were going to partner up, I asked him, what would be your dream venue? He’s like, oh, the Stafford. And I was like, mine too. And then a year later, here we are,” Crow said.

Bar first, live music to follow

The owners said they plan to relaunch the venue in phases. The first phase focuses on establishing a full bar operation seven days a week, with live music to follow in a later phase.

“The Stafford has always been a venue that happened to have a bar,” Crow said. “”What we want to do is we want to turn it into a bar. We’ll be a bar seven days a week that happens to have music three to four nights a week.”

The bar has been operating through a soft opening since July. Saturday’s event will serve as the official public launch.

What to expect Saturday

Anglim said the grand opening is open to everyone.

“Doors are opening at 2 p.m. The official grand open is 6 p.m. to 10,” Anglim said. “Everyone’s invited. Bring your friends, bring your family, show up. We’re gonna have some really good drinks.”

Guests can tour the property, meet the team and purchase first-edition Stafford 1911 merchandise. Signature cocktails will also be available. RSVPs are available through the venue’s Facebook event page.

Crow said the owners see the Stafford as more than a bar.

“I think that it’s going to be a focal point that’s going to tie the community together, really just give everybody more reasons to come to downtown Bryan and see what we have to offer,” he said.

More information is available at thestafford1911.com.