Seven Grand had its official “hard opening” Thursday night. (It “softly” opened last month.) The bar is the latest from 213, which also owns Broadway Bar and Golden Gopher and plans to reopen Downtown establishment Cole’s, aka “originator of the French Dip,” in winter 2007.

Seven Grand is in the former home of Brocks Jewelry Emporium, although now it’s stocked with stuffed stag and elk heads, a few hot tattooed- and mohawked waiters, and 120 different kinds of whiskey.

The place is huge and darkly lit and has a very cool 50-foot bar made from a 250-year-old walnut tree.

Local DJs Small Town Talk were spinning records and the bar was giving out brisket sandwiches. The mint juleps are highly recommended. So is taking a cab.

photo by Christopher Rainone