Silver Dollar Bar lusters with remodel

(this piece was published by Planet Jackson Hole)

Stage view render of the new Silver Dollar Bar room

Electrifying times at the historic Silver Dollar Bar in The Wort Hotel, where construction phase of a remodel has been in the works since mid-winter. The space itself has grown forty percent to the West, where a newly designed bandstand and dance floor sit in the former locale of the Silver Dollar Mercantile gift shop. A smaller replica of the current bar has been produced—original artwork and silver dollars included—that will face the stage in the Northwest corner of the new addition. Essentially, there will now be three rooms divided (or not) by partition walls—the original bar area to the East, the central room where the stage and dance floor were previously, and the West room, which will initially open on music nights only.Acoustically and aesthetically, the Silver Dollar has, at times, been a challenge to produce a quality audio experience via “the box” where the previous stage used to sit. The area was soundproof, but not necessarilyconducive to the flow of sound. Speakers were flown in the main barroom a couple of years ago, which allowed sound to travel further without sacrificing certain frequencies. The latest room design is more open with speakers mounted not only above the stage, but also strategically tiered in the other two spaces in order to manage volume while allowing for sound to blanket the room. For what is arguably the venue with the most consistent dinner crowd that is also coupled with four nights of weekly live music, stepping up the audio/visual will likely prove to be a worthwhile investment.With the new space also comes another weekly band residency, “Thursday Dance Party,” courtesy of Dixieland and jazz band Jackson Six, led by the infamous trombone troubadour John Kidwell. The devoted crew of swing dancers will surely appreciate this new night (debuting May 28), along with the new dance floor real estate.To celebrate the Grand Re-Opening this Saturday, local country-soul band Bootleg Flyer will break in the new stage, adorned by a special horn section for the night. Silver Dollar Bar Grand Re-Opening with Bootleg Flyer, 7 to 11 p.m. Saturday. Free. 732-3939.