New bar coming to Lexington spot where previous operation recently closed
A new bar and restaurant has been announced in a Lexington location where the previous establishment closed less than a week ago.
Charter 803 Bar & Grill is planned for 269 Charter Oak Road, not far from Lexington High School, according to a Thursday night post on social media. An opening date for the new venture has not been announced.
“We’re excited to kick off a new chapter right here in the heart of Lexington,” Charter 803 said on Facebook. “Charter 803 Bar & Grill is coming soon — and we can’t wait to welcome you in. From cold drinks to Southern hospitality, we’re here to serve the community we love. Stay tuned for opening details and sneak peeks. Let’s raise a glass to what’s ahead!”
The new operation will be going into the space that most recently was home Lexington Tap House, which closed its doors July 19 after a short run in the space. The spot at 269 Charter Oak Road was previously known, for more than a decade, as Krafty Draft Beer Garden. In May it rebranded under new ownership to Lexington Tap House.
Charter 803 is reportedly coming from well-known Lexington restaurateur Arif Ashfaq Rizvi, who announced the project in a Thursday night post on his Facebook page. He also shared that post on the popular Columbia Eats Facebook group where thousands of users discuss restaurant and food news.
Rizvi is the owner of Bubba’s Biscuit restaurant in downtown Lexington and was the owner of the former RF’s Corner Grill, which operated at 712 W. Main St. for many years before closing in March.
The spot where Charter 803 is going is located along busy Charter Oak Road, about a mile north of Lexington High School and about a half-mile south of the Hendrix Crossing shopping center that is anchored by a Publix.
This story was originally published July 24, 2025 at 9:45 AM.
