Newly opened Trailhead Bar offers relaxed atmosphere for thrill seekers
By: Christian Shields | Photos by: Ashlee Glen
Where is your next adventure? As Lynchburg residents and visitors seek to answer that question, Trailhead Bar provides them a chance to refuel and connect with the downtown community.
Trailhead, which opened in October 2024 and is located at 1312 Jefferson Street, boasts a wide variety of shareable plates, sandwiches, hotdogs, and more, as well as numerous beers and wines on hand. While other restaurants in the area may offer full meals, Trailhead instead hopes to be a springboard through which its patrons can explore everything else that downtown Lynchburg has to offer.
With a covered deck, a large outdoor area featuring a fire pit, and both indoor and outdoor seating, owner John Seinar compared the space to “the living room I never had and the backyard I could never afford.” He also said the atmosphere is similar to what one would expect if they were visiting his own home.
Although Seinar also owns the adjacent Bikes Unlimited bicycle shop, he said Trailhead seeks to appeal to adventurers of all backgrounds instead of those only in the biking community.
“We’re super into the outdoors, and we want to encourage people to have a healthy lifestyle and engage in community. That’s a big part of our DNA here,” he said, noting the spot’s proximity to the Blackwater Creek Trail and other outdoor recreational opportunities.
One major aspect of the bar that separates it from its competition is its unique approach to employee involvement. Instead of asking for tips from customers, Seinar will instead implement a “profit-sharing” model in which employees are proportionately compensated for overall business success.
“We’ve found some incredible employees and I want to keep them here,” Seinar said, noting the struggle many restaurant owners have remaining fully staffed. “I don’t mind sharing the profits of this place with them so they can have ownership. I would rather have a little bit of something really, really excellent, than a lot of something we’re not proud of.”
Customers are encouraged to find their own seats when they arrive and order from their smartphones, with their food then being delivered to their tables. They will also be able to close out their tabs online, further limiting the time they are waiting on assistance from staff. Although these features may be much different than the typical culinary establishment, Seinar fully expects patrons to welcome these divergences from the restaurant norm.
For more information, contact Trailhead by emailing info@trailheadlyh.com, calling (434) 385-4157, visiting www.trailheadlyh.com, or visiting in-person during normal business hours of 4-9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday.
