By Emma Shortall
It was a Saturday, but instead of going out to party Matt Chimbolo ’21 headed over to Burger Bar to get ready to perform.
“This show was different,” said Chimbolo, a guitarist and a student at St. Michael’s College “It was the first bar we’ve played in, being so close to the crowd was cool because it felt more personal.”
Since the day Burger Bar opened in March, it instantly became part of the St. Michael’s community. St. Michael’s students flock to the restaurant during multiple events they hold each week, such as Tuesday Trivia, Karaoke on Saturdays, and live music, or to just enjoy their selection on a wide range of food, alcohol, or other beverages at an affordable price.
Matt Burt, the manager of Burg- er Bar, was disappointed with the former business that occupied the building, which had the reputation of a popular spot for students to go with the sole purpose of getting drunk.
“We came in to change it and I think we successfully did that,” Burt said in a recent interview.
Brian Bressery and his wife Kelly, who own Burger Bar had been friends since the third grade. The couple had worked together with Burt a little bit and the group decided to open a restaurant as the friends already owned Bessery’s Butcher Shoppe and Delicatessen in Burlington.
With the many events that Burger Bar holds, Burt said he is constantly meeting new people. He especially appreciates meeting St. Michael’s students and holds them in a high regard. “[St. Michael’s students] are different,” said Burt. “It makes coming to work fun, it makes it interesting.”
Burt also loves the employees who come from St. Michael’s and said, “We have four or five people who work here from Saint Mike’s at any given point.”
Meghanne Fitzsimmons ’20, who is on the waitstaff at Burger Bar, enjoys working there and seeing St. Michael’s students enjoy it as much as she does.
“I love the people that I work with here from Saint Mike’s and when I see them out or at school. Just having new close friendships just makes [Burger Bar] really special” Fitzsimmons said.
Annie Hogan ’19 is also on the waitstaff and loves what was done with the restaurant, as it was the first good thing to open up in that space.
“Burger Bar is more than just going there to drink, there’s food and a nice atmosphere, it’s way better,” said Hogan.
Looking to the future Burt said Burger Bar will definitely take part in providing food for P-Day again, which is an annual event put on by St. Michaels for students to enjoy catered meals and various activities, and he wants the bar to get more involved with the St. Michael’s community.