Scores Sports Bar and Grille is the newest bar and grille to swing into downtown Keene.
Owner Ben Fournier is from Moultonborough, N.H. and is also a Keene State College alumnus. Fournier played baseball for KSC and now lives in Keene.
Fournier, who worked previously in bars around Keene said he and his partner, Nick Leighton, “always had a dream of owning his [their] own bar one day.”
That dream came true.
According to Fournier, for a week and a half before the opening, the staff went through extensive training. They learned the menu inside and out along with the bar menu and met with the alcohol distributers.
“One of the most important things is having my staff educated so they can be completely there for the customers,” Fournier said.
Scores also has a chef from Boston hitting home-runs in the kitchen. The grand opening was Sunday, Sept. 29 at 12 p.m., and according to Fournier, it went well.
Fournier also explained some of his goals for this establishment. “I want Scores to be different, a place that has a different atmosphere than that of bars already existing in Keene,” he said.
Fournier and his partner have been using all their own ideas such as hiring a wait staff, something different than most bars in the area.
Scores is lined with 25 televisions that are airing any game that may be requested. Founier said he plans to continue different types of entertainment on the weekends.
“Keene doesn’t have a real sports bar,” Fournier pointed out.
“You get the restaurant atmosphere early in the evening and the atmosphere of the dugout in the back,” he said. The “dugout” is where events are held. For example, on a recent Thursday night, there was a DJ from New York providing entertainment.
“Our name screams ‘sports’. Scoring is in every sport and we have a sports theme throughout this place,” Fournier said.
All aspects of ‘sport’ is portrayed throughout the bar, like the bathrooms—“The Boy’s Locker Room” and “The Girls Locker Room.”
While Fournier’s mind is filled with pleasing the customer, his focus also rests on his staff. He said, “We want everyone to be successful here. Our goal is to make people happy and not focus on what everyone else is doing.”
Even though Scores opened its doors quietly to the city of Keene, word got out. Many of the KSC population have ventured downtown to check out what Scores has to offer.
KSC student Amanda Rogers said she went to Scores “to try something new,” and said she had a fun experience.
KSC student Amanda Ribeiro said she enjoyed her first trip to Scores. “I enjoyed my experience there. The margarita was pricey but it was really good. I would absolutely go again as well as suggest it to friends.”
Amy Bethge, another KSC student, attended the grand opening. “I heard about the grand opening after Pub Crawl sign-ups and going was a must,” she said.
“The atmosphere was awesome. I’m not a very big sports fan but I had an awesome time. I believe that people that aren’t that big sports fans can have a good time,” Bethge continued.
Fournier also brought up that many people in a college town come from different states and fan bases. “If someone is from Florida and are a big Marlins fan, they can come here and see that. That’s something you can’t get in your dorm room,” Fournier said.
She also commented on some of the food, specifically the wings. “They were only wings in Keene that were really hot, and I’m a really big fan of spicy foods,” she said.
KSC student Michael Brunetti said, “I have not yet been to Scores but I’ve heard good things. I will be going in the future.”
Scores has already been taking steps to reach out to the Keene community as well. Fournier and this establishment have made a donation to this year’s Pumpkin Fest as Keene works towards taking the record once again.
Fournier and his team members have also worked hard to clean up the inside and outside area where Scores is located.
“We are nothing like the old establishment,” Fournier claimed.
Fournier also said he just loves to see people interact when watching a game or just discussing it.
“No matter if your eighty-years-old or twentyone-years-old, everyone can talk about sports,” and according to Fournier, “this is the place in Keene for that.”
“Different is the big key that we are trying to touch on and I think we are succeeding,” Fournier said. Scores is located at 82 Main Street right behind Local Burger.
They are open for the tailgating of your choice Monday through Friday 3 p.m. to 1 a.m. and 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. on the weekends.
Catherine Skinner can be contacted at Catherine.Skinner@ksc.keene.edu