3Up Rooftop Bar
Located in Carmel’s Arts and Design District, 3up Rooftop Bar is, yea, you guessed it, three-stories above street level and offers patrons a birds-eye view of the Monon Trail and downtown. The perfect backdrop for Instagram-worthy shots, the atmosphere is all swank and lux, heck, the Great Gatsby himself would have enjoyed a cocktail, or two in this uber modern, open-air bar. And Carrie Bradshaw and her Sex in the City counterparts no doubt would be weekly-subscribers to the Carmel Cosmo made with Tito’s vodka, Cointreau, lime, and white cranberry. But, while the mixology is supreme and craft cocktail offerings plenty, this swanky rooftop bar has a food menu equally as smart.
And coming soon—just in time for its one-year anniversary (Sept. 20)—a brand new menu with what the owner, Anthony Lazzar, calls gastrointestinal, upscale chef-driven plates of bar food. The offerings, he says, focus on smaller plates designed for groups and intended for sharing. So no need to wonder if what your friend ordered is better than what you ordered because you can try it! All of it. As for what will be served, without giving away any specifics about the soon-to-be released items, you can rest assured that not only will they be delicious, but promises Lazzara, they will be based on seasonality and of course, what patrons have asked for.
BE PART OF THE IN CROWD
The separate entrance—located inside, just next to the restaurant—lends a sort of speakeasy feel to the establishment. And while there’s no need for bootlegging, there’s definitely a retro-style charm present throughout … did I mention the entrance is inside? So when the weather isn’t cooperating and the crowds are many—and trust me, the crowds can often be more than many—you won’t have to worry about the elements undoing your updo while you wait. As for the crowds, yea, they’re a thing, so come prepared to wait it out a bit or come early, especially on the weekends and during special events like when there’s live music or wine-up Wednesdays when all wine bottles are half price. But, while crowds can be a thing in this dynamically hip hotspot, overcrowding is nothing to worry about as Lazzara is keen on hospitality and makes sure the elevator is monitored by a staff member on the ground floor.
Lazzara who co-owns both 3Up and Anthony’s Chophouse with his wife, Kayla, is a Carmel native and says he always knew he’d be in the restaurant business. Which comes as no surprise to anyone familiar with his family. His father and mother, Chuck and Lynn, have owned the Ritz Charles for nearly 35 years; his uncle Joe is the Joe in Joe’s Butcher Shop and Fish Market; and another uncle, Matt Frey, owns Bub’s Burgers & Ice Cream. Pedigree aside, Lazzara has acute insight and exceptional work ethic when it comes to his ventures. Heck, in high school, he earned national recognition for his senior DECA project, which just so happen to have been a detailed business plan for a steakhouse. And in college, he was a top-notch golfer for Ball State University where he was named to the Academic All-Mid-American Conference his senior year and was the top finisher for his team in the NCAA Championship.
As for future endeavors, it’s hard to say what, if anything Lazzara will dive into, but one thing’s for certain—with both diligence and perception on his side, the sky’s the limit.
3Up Rooftop Bar
201 W Main St, Carmel
317.740.0930
3upRoofTop.com
Weds, Th 5--11 p.m. | Fri, Sat 5—midnight | First come first serve, no reservations
