Downtown Springfield Association
Exterior photo of SBC's The Cellar, with a sunset visible behind the building's sign
Downtown Business Spotlight

SBC’s The Cellar is the Queen City’s newest gem

March 24, 2021


Trust us when we tell you Springfield Brewing Company has some real gems in The Cellar.

SBC has been a cornerstone of Downtown for more than 20 years, with award-winning craft beer, great food and live music. Now, just three months after opening, The Cellar has also become a vital part of our neighborhood. Here’s a look inside.

The Origins

SBC purchased Missouri Spirits last summer, including the beautiful brick building near the corner of Walnut and Market. The original plan was to absorb the distillery into SBC’s repertoire and use the building as a space for weddings and other events. There will still be distilling on the premises, the purpose of the building has changed. Now it’s a spot for Brew Co’s craft beers and innovative food and cocktails, live music and more. We’ll get to that part later.

The Refreshments

It starts with craft beer, like it always does for SBC. Flagship brews Blue Canoe and 417 Lager are on tap, with a rotating selection of their innovative canned beers. That’s a great start, but it gets even better.

The Cellar’s team uses distilled spirits like gin, rum, vodka and whiskey to create delicious cocktails with great names. They include Bramble On, Nutty Sidekick, Sage Advice and The Tragic Ballad of Bluebeard. Coke products are also available.

Creativity also shines in the food menu of shareables, entrees and desserts. We’re talking popcorn seasoned with black truffle oil, portabello jerky, chicken nuggets in a puff pastry and cornpuppers. For dessert choose between Italian-style donuts filled with house stout caramel and something called Bada Bing, Bada Bourbon. We’ll let The Cellar describe it.

“Three fresh, sweet cherries soaked in our house bourbon, dipped in our chocolate ganache and rolled in roasted pecans. Served with a sidecar of our house pecan cordial, whipped cream and dusted with espresso and cocoa powder.”

We told you there are some real gems in The Cellar.

The Entertainment

Live music is the heartbeat of Downtown Springfield, and The Cellar provides plenty of that. A quick scan of our Calendar shows five events in the next seven days. Longtime favorites like Hamburger Cows, Molly Healey, Barak Hill, Hometown Tourist and Dallas Jones have played the room. Up-and-coming acts like Lija Fonner, Mabel Johnson and The White Elephant Poets.

There are also weekly specials. Enjoy Jazz Happy Hour every Thursday with the Brandon Mezzelo Group. Sundays mean Jam Night at The Cellar, with Justin Larkin. Signups start at 6 p.m. and the show kicks off at 7. Instruments are provided! There’s no cover for either Jazz Happy Hour or Jam Night at The Cellar.

Would you believe there’s more? This Sunday, March 28, at 4 p.m. is a Bonsai Happy Hour. Downtown’s own The Bonsai Guy, Chris Fox, will provide an instructional seminar while you enjoy The Cellar’s signature cocktails and small-batch beers. Your $75 ticket is all-inclusive. Just bring yourself! 

Standup comedy returns April 3. Katie Still hosts the Late Night Comedy Showcase at The Cellar. Harrison Broadstreet and Josh Wingo are scheduled to perform, with special guests Caleb Don Smith and John Horner. The cover charge is $5.

Ready to check out these gems for yourself? SBC’s The Cellar is located at 507 West Walnut. It’s open Wednesday-Sunday, 4-11 p.m.