Downtown Bentonville just got a new reason to rally. We sit down with the force behind Fry, a hidden-in-plain-sight bar at 100 SW 2nd Street, built on a simple promise: keep prices fair, keep service quick, and make it easy for people to gather. Think a $7 old fashioned, a lunch-and-a-pint target around $12, and a menu anchored by focaccia-based “fry pies” designed for speed without sacrificing flavor.

We unpack the location’s advantages, it's steps from First Seat, Barley & Vine, and a cluster of downtown favorites, plus it has two patios that can shift from mellow afternoons to lively nights. The beer plan is purposefully tight: two house drafts, Fry Heavy and Fry Light, crafted with Trailhead. Packaged standbys will be there too, because inclusivity matters. The limited taps keep quality consistent and wait times low, taking a page from classic two-choice beer halls while leaving room to rotate specialties as production scales.

You’ll also hear the surprising origin of the name: a seahorse story that became a brand anchor and a reminder to keep going when plans fall through. From permitting wins and fast buildout to pop-up music on a compact front stage and a larger east patio that could host 100-plus by spring, the roadmap is clear. The bigger theme, though, is collaboration over competition. Our guest and Trailer Tony break down how breweries, bars, and neighbors turns a district into a destination and helps everyone grow in step with Arkansas’s evolving landscape.

Want first dibs on opening night and VIP tastings? Follow @fry_bentonville, subscribe to the show, and leave a quick review telling us which fry pie you want to try first. We’ll see you on the patio.

More About this Episode

The Fry Effect: A Bold New Chapter in Downtown Bentonville's Bar and Food Scene

In the ever-evolving landscape of downtown Bentonville, Arkansas, change isn’t just inevitable, it’s often what keeps the city’s cultural pulse alive. One of the most compelling stories unfolding in this energetic hub comes from none other than Kyle Reidy, former owner of The Dive, a beloved neighborhood spot that left a void when it shut its doors. But like any great entrepreneur, Kyle has found his way back, this time with a project that has the potential to redefine the local bar and food experience.

Enter Fry, a new concept bar and eatery nestled just off the beaten path at 100 SW 2nd Street, directly behind the popular First Seat Pub. With a discreet, almost speakeasy-style entrance and a vibe that encourages discovery, Fry is set to open with a unique identity, one that’s affordable, authentic, and driven by deep community roots.

From The Dive to Fry: A Natural Evolution

When The Dive closed, the local community didn’t just notice, they responded. The reaction was swift, emotional, and passionate. Bentonville locals weren’t just mourning the loss of a place to grab a drink; they were expressing grief over a shared space that fostered connection, character, and community. That outpouring of support wasn’t lost on Kyle, who felt both the responsibility and the inspiration to create something new, something better.

That inspiration led him back to a space he’d had his eye on for over a year and a half, a location he stayed connected to through persistence and vision. As fate would have it, things aligned, the timing became right, and Kyle signed the lease to what would soon become Fry.

Why Fry? A Name with Story and Symbolism

The name “Fry” may sound simple, but its origin is surprisingly poetic. Kyle, a longtime fan of seahorses, discovered that baby seahorses are called “fry.” That quirky and memorable detail stuck, and it resonated on a deeper level. This new venture was, in a sense, a “baby” of his previous endeavors, born from the lessons and energy of The Dive, yet clearly distinct and more focused.

Although the seahorse theme may not be splashed across the walls, the spirit of the name runs through the business: thoughtful, unique, and built with intention.

A Community-Centric Space with Intentional Design

Located behind First Seat and neighboring concepts like Barley & Vine and Lady Slipper, Fry isn’t trying to dominate the downtown bar scene, it’s trying to enhance it. The space itself offers both indoor and outdoor seating, with a small hidden entrance and a vibe that feels exclusive without being unwelcoming.

A south-facing patio and a larger east-facing patio offer ample space for up to 100 guests, giving Fry the opportunity to host everything from live DJs on a shared food truck stage to low-key Sunday brunches with a solid Bloody Mary. The indoor bar is anchored by a repurposed piece of Bentonville history, a stunning bar originally built for the now-closed Rope Hounds Taproom.

Affordable Craft and Community-First Pricing

If there’s one core philosophy guiding Fry, it’s accessibility.

Kyle is passionate about offering quality drinks at prices that welcome everyone. In a downtown where $12 cocktails are becoming the norm, Fry is flipping the script with offerings like a $7 Old Fashioned, crafted with care and quality ingredients. And it doesn’t stop there. The food menu follows the same ethos, with lunch-and-a-pint specials planned for around $12.

That level of affordability is rare, especially in prime downtown real estate. But Kyle isn’t chasing trends. He’s creating a space where locals can feel at home, tourists can stumble upon a gem, and everyone can enjoy a high-quality experience without emptying their wallet.

Fry Pies: Simple, Delicious, and Built for Speed

One of the most exciting announcements from the Fry team is their food concept, a streamlined menu centered around what they’re calling “Fry Pies.” These are not your average bar snacks. Inspired by a conversation with chef and business partner Justin Malonson, Fry Pies will be artisan pizza pockets made from focaccia-style bread and packed with savory ingredients like cheese, pepperoni, and more.

Fast, flavorful, and perfectly matched for a lunchtime crowd or a late-night craving, these Fry Pies represent the ideal balance of speed, quality, and comfort food appeal. Even better, they’re made possible without a full kitchen setup, relying on a compact pizza oven to deliver on both efficiency and taste.

Trailhead Collaboration: Locally Brewed Beers on Tap

As if the concept wasn’t already compelling, Kyle has tapped into one of Bentonville’s most respected local brewers, Tony from Trailhead, to bring a hyper-local twist to Fry’s beer program.

Together, they’re launching two Fry-branded beers: Fry Light and Fry Heavy, which will be the house taps and the heart of Fry’s beer identity. Brewed with quality and consistency in mind, these offerings are designed to satisfy both casual drinkers and craft beer fans. Tony’s philosophy on collaboration, growth, and community building makes him a natural partner in this venture.

This partnership extends beyond just the beer. Tony’s belief that “everyone can eat” echoes Kyle’s own approach to community. Neither sees competition as a threat. Instead, they see every new business in the neighborhood as a force multiplier, creating a thriving downtown ecosystem where customers bounce from bar to bar, restaurant to restaurant.

More Than a Bar: An Experience in the Making

Though Fry is starting with a simple concept, great drinks, fry pies, and a laid-back vibe, the potential is much larger.

Plans for live music, mini DJ sets, and community collaborations are already in the works. The unique patio layout and partnership with a neighboring pastrami food truck could turn Fry into one of downtown Bentonville’s most dynamic hangout spots. And with extended hours (10 a.m. to 1 a.m. on weekends), Fry is poised to become both an early brunch favorite and a late-night go-to.

What's Next for Trailhead and Tony?

During the podcast, Tony also opened up about his evolving business structure, having recently sold Trailhead Tap to focus on his core passion, brewing. That move allows Trailhead to scale its beer offerings without the operational complexities of running multiple bar concepts. With this newfound focus, Tony plans to bring Trailhead Brewing to more locations across Northwest Arkansas, supporting other local venues and cementing Trailhead’s status as a cornerstone of the region’s craft beer scene.

And yes, despite the whispers, this isn’t the end for Trailhead, it’s just a smart business shift. In Tony’s words, “Everything I own is for sale… but I’m still building.” A sentiment every entrepreneur can relate to.

Fry Is More Than a Comeback — It's a Statement

Bentonville’s bar and restaurant scene has no shortage of flashy concepts and Instagrammable backdrops. But Fry is taking a different path, one rooted in values that resonate deeply with this community: authenticity, affordability, collaboration, and creativity.

From the $7 Old Fashioned to the locally brewed Fry Heavy, to the playful yet meaningful name to the community-driven partnerships, Fry isn’t just another bar opening in downtown Bentonville, it’s a new standard.

Whether you're a longtime Dive regular, a curious local, or a tourist exploring Bentonville for the first time, make sure Fry is on your radar in 2026. It’s proof that when passionate people come together with a vision, even one inspired by baby seahorses, magic happens.