Bedford Hill Coffee Bar Gets a Liquor License

on Franklin Avenue is now serving alcohol during its extended hours in the evening.

The popular little underground coffee spot (literally underground; it's basement-level), which opened in November 2010, already had procured a very steady and loyal following of coffee sippers.

Selling points: Bedford Hill is tucked away, low-key, cool music and friendly staff (and oh yeah, they don’t do drip coffee-- espresso only).

Now with a liquor license in hand, it’s building upon its current following while adding dozens more. And amazingly the vibe inside of the bar seems to transform without a hiccup, from the sippers to the imbibers as coolly as day slips into night.

“I knew when I opened that I was going to get a beer and wine license, but I didn’t apply for it until September 2011,” said Allison Stuart, the bar's owner.

The bar received its license in late October 2011 and began serving alcohol, beer and wine, by the end of January 2012. But they are only open late nights Thursday – Sunday until midnight.

“I had an amazing expediter that was able to get our license through quickly, I think mostly because we were not interested in staying open past midnight,” said Stuart. “But so far, it’s been good… it’s still a little slow because people are still finding out about it, but it’s like anything you do, it takes time and we’re still evolving.”

Their beers include Stella Artois, Smutty Nose IPA, Sweet Action, Toasted Lager, all on tap for $3 for a half-pint and $6 a pint. Red and white wine is $8 a glass.

“We’re trying to keep the price points reasonable with still offering quality wines,” she said.

Bedford Hill has a small kitchen, so they are working now on offering a short menu of hot items, which also are “evolving,” according to Stuart. Some of their evening items include pulled pork sandwiches with ginger cole slaw, a vegetable and cheese plate and a bratwurst.

“I recently hired a pickle man who will be pickling vegetables for us,” said Allison smiling. “But again, it’s all evolving. By the end of May, everything should be settled."