As a junior at HWS, I’ve heard tales of pre-coronavirus downtown Geneva. The Beef and
Brew dance floor. FLX Live dj nights. Thursdays at Riley’s.
I came to HWS mid-pandemic in the fall of 2020 and Geneva, like most cities, felt quiet
and closed up. “Take-out only” and “Closed for now” signs littered locked storefronts
downtown.
It took two years to recover from the Covid hangover. Now, finally, businesses are
opening instead of closing.
A new bar, The Hideout, has been an HWS student favorite this semester. Dart boards, a
pool table, a jukebox, and a punching machine are just some of the things that keep students
coming back. Just don’t spill your drink on my friend Laura—she’s got a mean punch up in the
800s.
When I talked to Hideout owner Jesus about opening the bar he said, “Opening the
hideout has been very stressful. There’s been a learning curve and it’s definitely out of my
element, being a cardiac nurse and then owning a bar. They’re two entirely different worlds with
a lot of different kinds of responsibilities. But it’s been great meeting new people and I feel like
I’m bringing something great back to the city of Geneva.”
A new restaurant, Anorah, opened last month on Castle St., serving upscale comfort food.
The chicken paprikash and bao buns are to die for, though I have to admit to the tiniest bit of bias
since I work there. FLX Live also just reopened with live bands, karaoke nights, and drag shows
on the weekends.
Long story short: we’ve got options for what to do downtown now.
Catch Moon Flower, an HWS student band, every Thursday 7-9 pm at Lake Drum. Drag
Show and Karaoke Saturdays at FLX Live. Trivia Thursdays 7 pm at Twisted Rail. Open Jam
every Monday night at Hog Wallow. The list goes on. So many new reasons to get downtown. So
many new reasons to be thankful you’re a resident of the Lake Trout Capital of the World.