Southern-inspired restaurant, The Pine, opens basement bar

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The Pine, a Southern-inspired restaurant located in Five Points, is giving customers another reason to hang out in the neighborhood after the grand opening of its basement bar this weekend.

The Pine is well-known by locals due to  its Southern cuisine with a twist and its commitment to giving customers an authentic experience—even preparing many of its dishes in a handmade wood-fired oven placed right in the middle the restaurant.

"You know, when people think of Georgia, they think about peaches, pecans and pine trees. That's where we got our inspiration from. We are Southern inspired and locally driven," said Scott Parish, owner of The Root.

The Root—so named for its location directly under its accompanying restaurant, The Pine—celebrated its official grand opening this weekend with festivities starting on Friday featuring DJ Keith Hill. The party continued on Saturday with game day specials for those looking to enjoy the UGA-Nicholls State game out of the heat.

The Pine, which is celebrating its second anniversary this weekend, uses ingredients from local farmers and plans to continue this local mentality at The Root and its drink menu.

"Our alcohol policy is all-American. We support small business and local breweries, distilleries, and wineries all operating in the good ‘ole U.S. of A.,” said Parish. “We keep it local on our tap with Creature Comforts, Terrapin and Southern Brewing Co.”

The rustic and cozy basement bar attracts a crowd that wants to hang out or enjoy a post-dinner drink after a meal upstairs at The Pine. The ambiance gives locals a down-to-earth bar a little off the beaten path of downtown Athens.

"We're a locally owned business that tries to serve the neighborhood,” said Parish. “People of all walks of life come through our doors, and everyone is welcome.”