Richland’s newest upscale restaurant was just supposed to be a place to have a cold beer and fried food, though, as one might say, “that escalated quickly.” The idea grew until Hyde Tap and Lounge debuted in mid-April on the high-profile corner of Swift Boulevard and George Washington Way.

“My idea was just to have a tap house,” said Patrick Canizal, one of the owners of the restaurant at 502 Swift Blvd., previously home to Dupus Boomers and, most recently, Flight Tap & Table. Together with his fiancee, Lissette Alvarez, the couple brought on service industry veteran Stephen Glover, who helped guide them toward the elevated concept it is today.

“We were thinking about doing something the Tri-Cities just didn’t have,” Glover said. “It started with something small, and it built into a place with good service and a good vibe. Lissette had an eye for the individual things and being aesthetically pleasing and beautiful. It all culminated into one big plan.”

The new restaurant includes modern lighting fixtures, a marbled black and gold floor, velvet couches and touches of greenery. The staff clad all in black complements the black ceiling and walls downstairs, and provides a stark relief upstairs against the 21-and-over lounge with all-white seating at black-and-white tables along a wall of glass with doors that open to the patio. The upstairs can be reserved for private events.

Including the outdoor space, Hyde can seat 235 guests, and the owners say community response has been swift since opening, with sold-out reservations and a full house on the weekends.

This is the entrepreneurs’ first time owning a restaurant, though Canizal owns other businesses locally.

The couple signed a lease in October and quickly began gutting the place.

Beyond the layout, Hyde is nearly unrecognizable from the businesses that previously held the space. Canizal declined to share the cost of the investment of the overhaul, but it was significant, including new flooring, all new seating, kitchen equipment, an LED bar top and more. Contracting work for the remodel was done by NWP Builds.

Glover’s experience in the industry, including most recently at Kennewick’s Twigs Bistro and Martini Bar, had him overseeing the project since the winter, including the hiring of more than 40 staff members.

On the menu

Hyde brought in Nick Henry from Proof as head chef and gave him full creative license with the menu, described as “elevated American favorites,” along with handhelds, salads, craft cocktails and a rotating beer list.

The menu includes collaborations with other local businesses, including fish and chips made with an Atomic Ale beer batter, marinated chicken using Wheat Head Brewing Co.’s IPA and quality cuts from Juanito’s Prime Meats, including an Australian Wagyu that sells for $90, the most expensive item on the menu.

Traditional fare like burgers, grilled cheese and a shrimp po’boy range from $18 to $24 and entrees featuring pasta, salmon and steak frites, are priced at $32 to $44. A children’s menu has kids’ favorites for $10 each which include a drink.

There are more than 40 beers on tap at the vast bar downstairs, including many from around the Northwest and also international selections. Craft cocktails average $15 to $20 with clever names like, “Mom knows Best,” “Naked and Famous,” and a mocktail called, “P.H.D. – pretty hibiscus drink.”

Hyde isn’t named after anyone, it was a name the team agreed on after kicking around ideas related to a hideaway. The group’s plan for success in the space after others failed comes down to “execution and being cohesive,” said Glover, who also joked, “the third time’s the charm.” Canizal added that the owners are also “financially stable to do it” while providing high quality food and service.

Hyde Tap and Lounge owners celebrate the opening of their new upscale restaurant during a ribbon-cutting event. The building was once home to Dupus Boomers and Flight Tap & Table.

| Courtesy Hyde Tap and Lounge 

On a busy corner built out by Markel Properties, there’s limited parking directly in front of the restaurant’s doors, but the entire complex shares the lot and upward of 75 spaces are available to all businesses, including nearby Jimmy John’s and Chicken & Bowl. After business hours, people can also park across Swift at the lots owned by the city of Richland.

“Parking hasn’t been an issue, and I think people will find it worth it for good service, good vibes, good food and good drinks,” Glover said.

The Richland Chamber and City of Richland hosted a ribbon cutting for Hyde in early May, proclaiming May 2 as Hyde Tap and Lounge Day. The owners said the city and especially the nearby Richland Fire Department have been very supportive of the launch.

Hyde Tap and Lounge is open seven days a week, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. The upstairs lounge is open only Thursdays through Sundays or for private events.