Do you ever wish you could go back in time and visit Texarkana during its hay-day, the roaring 20s? If so, Texarkana’s newest piano bar, Paragon, will take most of us back to a time we can only imagine. Across from the Federal Courthouse at 112 E 5th St, Texarkana, Arkansas, Paragon now assumes the space that has been home to bars longer than any other in Texarkana.
Paragon’s owners William Bullock and Ricky Karaliu have made every effort to create a stunning replica of what an old Texarkana speak-easy would be like, including fine art hanging on stained knotty-pine walls, grand piano, classic facade, chandeliers, hardwood bar, and ornate wooden molding.
Mr. Karaliu said, “We wanted to bring this place back to what it used looked like back in the day, you know, back in the twenties. I tried to build it so that all the wood, all the colors, all the lights would be just like the 1920s.”
The owners mentioned that they almost considered naming Paragon “Little Chicago,” in reference to Texarkana’s infamous nickname back in the 20s and 30s.
The music will reflect the motif. One can expect to hear musical styles from the 1920s and 30s, blues, jazz, and country; with dueling pianos on the weekend.
“We wanted a place people could come to that was classy and brought back the feeling of old Texarkana. We feel like this place is an opportunity to bring history back for everyone in our town,” said Mr. Bullock.
Drink selections will bost a wide variety of fine whiskey, scotch, and gin offerings; with bottled beer and well drinks available also.
This is just the start of Paragon’s overall plan. Soon to come will be a large outside patio with a bar for music and lounging, a martini and cigar bar inside (that will be well ventilated), and in a few weeks fine dining. More to come on that!
Hours of operation: Monday – Saturday 4 pm – 2 am;
Sunday 11 am – 2 am, Brunch coming soon.
“We go to the museum and see pictures of old Texarkana, you got 30,000 people walking the streets around here. This place was vibrant, and everyone wanted to come here. It was like a living organism, and we wanted to bring some of that history back. We didn’t just want to be some other bar in some other town. We are by the Courthouse, the second most photographed Federal building in the U.S. and we just want people to experience Texarkana – real Texarkana the was it was,” William imparted.
