The O-town Scene

Rail Benders aims to be a new ‘drinking tradition’ The former Rail at 5 S. Main St. in Oneonta recently re-opened under new management and with a new coat of paint as Rail Benders. The Rail bar, sitting on a bend off Main Street in Oneonta, was billed as an “Oneonta Drinking Tradition” for both locals and college students. It was open early mornings, for those getting off the night shift to sit and have a beer, and late, for the downtown crowd. Then it shut it doors, and regulars had to find a new place to nurse a beer or two. They can come back now — to a much cleaner, better- smelling establishment. The bar recently re-opened as Rail Benders. Al- though customers can’t come for an 8 a.m. Guinness (it’s open regular bar hours from 2 p.m. to close Monday through Saturdays), co-owners John and Julie Gallucci hope the establishment will take on the comfort and familiarity the old Rail offered loyal patrons. “We want it to feel comfortable, like home,” Julie said, holding 14-month-old son Nicholas at an antique wooden table in a back corner of the bar on a Monday night. The couple said they at first “hated” the mint green walls painted by interim owners of the bar, who let go of the project in March, when the Galluccis took it on. But then they hung their tin signs, mirrors and antique tools, and thought it worked well. They said they like the brightness, even though they favor darker colors. Redecorating may be an option in the future, but the couple said they are happy to have the bar open. They chose the lighting fixtures and furniture, bringing in some tables from an old bar in Albany with ties to an infamous bootlegger, John “Legs” Diamond. Customers in on a Monday night watching a Pittsburgh vs. Cinncinatti football game were quick to offer endorsements of the bar and its owners. “John’s one of the best guys I know,” one young man said. Rail Benders has five drinks on tap: Guinness, Woodchuck Hard Cider, Labatt Blue, Bud and Bud Light. John said they also specialize in mixed drinks like the Tropical Cherry Minderaser he made for this issue’s Shot of the Week, on Page 9. _ Cassandra Miller Nov. 11, 2010 O-Town Scene 13 Co-owners John and Julie Gallucci (below with sons Nicholas and An- thony) have 18 years experience as bar owners: they ran what used to be The Silver Bullet (now the Sake Club/Upper Deck) from 1989 to 2007. John said his passion is in the bar business. “I missed being out,” he said. Julie noted her husband of 10 years’ interest. “His heart’s in bartending,” she said.

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