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By Ayanna Eckblad

In November, experienced bar manager Hollie Hanf took over running the What’s Up Bar in Myrtle. Although it was licensed to sell alcohol and food in March 2024, the building’s owner of over 20 years, Kevin Worke, had not built a customer base for the bar and also did not have a full staff, according to Hanf.

“They were just kind of trying to get it off the ground and get it open,” she said. She explained that when she learned about the opportunity, she contacted her friend and bartender of over 14 years, LeAnn Fischer. They decided to give the bar a new life, saying they essentially needed to start from scratch.

They reopened the bar in November, with Hanf as the manager, and have since made a name for themselves in the Myrtle community. The bar has a staff of four, including Hanf, Fischer, Hanf’s daughter Miranda and one other bartender.

“It’s a great atmosphere around here. I really like it. It’s inviting, warm,” Hanf said.

In addition to selling a variety of drinks, What’s Up Bar also sells homemade pizzas.

Hanf said she has been in the business pretty much her entire life, explaining her father used to own Bell Liquor Store in Austin. Hanf also previously worked at the Austin Eagles Club as a bartender, bar manager and events coordinator. She brought her eight years of experience to the What’s Up Bar, taking a special interest in hosting events. What’s Up Bar has monthly live music performances. Past performers include Echo Messenger and Flashback. They plan to host the band Lost in Austin in March.

The bar last weekend hosted a Superbowl party, which Hanf said gave her an excuse to make Jello shots, one of her favorite things.

Since opening, the What’s Up Bar has also acquired a pool league. Hanf said she is hoping to add a dart league later in the year. She added the bar also has charitable gaming from the Hayward Fire Department available on electronic devices and pull tabs.

What’s Up Bar has a large outdoor seating area, which Hanf is hoping to get use out of when the weather permits. She said she hopes to have events in the warmer months like a beanbag tournament.

Hanf said she hopes the bar can partner with Myrtle City Council to host a city festival, car show, bike show or other event in the summer.

Although Myrtle is a small city — only 47 people according to the most recent U.S. census — Hanf said the right people have a way of finding the bar. Some of the customers are old friends who knew her or Fischer at one of their former jobs, but many other customers have found out about the bar from social media or word of mouth.

“We’ve had a lot of new faces, just to town here, even,” she said. “We’ve been really happy with our customer base.”

What’s Up Bar is at 204 Main St. in Myrtle. It opens at 5 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and at noon Saturday and Sunday. Hanf said the closing time will depend on the number of customers there on a particular night. For example, she said, it could potentially stay open until 1 a.m. if the bar is crowded, but she might decide to close around 10 p.m. on a slow night.

The best way to learn more about the bar is through the What’s Up Bar Facebook page.

“It’s such a great place. I just want to get people out here,” said Hanf. “Watching it grow is the most rewarding part of it all.”