KEENE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) A historic downtown Keene church has found a new purpose as a community gathering place, bringing a taste of European beer hall culture to Court Street.

Platz Beer Garden, located at 34 Court St. in the former Grace United Methodist Church, will celebrate its official grand opening Saturday, Nov. 7, with a full day of live music, food, drinks, giveaways and activities for the community.

The celebration follows a soft opening that began Oct. 3, giving visitors an early opportunity to experience the newly renovated space. Saturday’s festivities will officially introduce the venue to the community, with programming planned throughout the day and a few surprises still being kept under wraps.

The celebration begins with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10:55 a.m., followed by a live radio remote with Steve and Teri (KNE FM radio hosts) from noon to 2 p.m. Visitors can expect live entertainment, beer flights, food, drinks, giveaways and plenty of opportunities to explore the space.

Among the day’s highlights will be a special appearance by a representative from Delirium Brewery, accompanied by the brewery’s signature 12-foot inflatable pink elephant. Traditional English Morris dancers will perform from approximately 3 to 5 p.m. as Jack in the Green, followed by Concord-based musician Chris Peters, who takes the stage from 6 to 9 p.m.

Platz is also introducing its Sacred Order of Hop & Vine, a beer and wine membership program designed to build a community around the venue. Members will be able to choose between a branded stein or wine glass, with additional benefits expected to include exclusive tastings, member gatherings, early access to select events and special offerings.

The grand opening will also mark the introduction of beer flights and feature the tapping of two beers from Vermont’s Hill Farmstead Brewery.

A gathering place with a European influence

The idea behind Platz grew out of a family trip to Germany, where owner Zach Luse experienced the communal atmosphere of traditional beer gardens and beer halls.

As the owner of Paragon Digital Marketing, which occupies the building’s first floor, Luse saw an opportunity to transform the upstairs space into something different from the typical downtown restaurant or bar.

The German word platz translates to “place,” an appropriate name for a business designed around bringing people together.

The renovated second floor retains much of the character of the former church, incorporating original stained glass, reclaimed wood from church pews, elements of the altar and details from the choir loft.

Those historic features are now complemented by beer-hall-style tables, decorative greenery and lighting intended to evoke the atmosphere of an outdoor European gathering place.

The building, which dates back approximately 156 years, has been owned by Luse since 2018. While its interior has undergone significant changes, the original exterior facade has been preserved.

The beer garden can comfortably accommodate approximately 150 seated guests, with a maximum occupancy of 274.

Rather than creating a traditional sit-down restaurant, Luse envisioned a flexible space where visitors could stop in for a drink, meet friends after work, bring the family for food or spend an afternoon enjoying live entertainment.

That approach is reflected in the venue’s family-friendly atmosphere, which includes games, free popcorn, a children’s menu and an open stage for musicians and other performers.

A little something for everyone

The beverage program features approximately 20 rotating taps, with an emphasis on European beers alongside selections from regional breweries. Guests can also choose from bottled and canned beverages, wine, cider, prosecco, cold brew coffee and ready-to-drink cocktails.

The food menu focuses on approachable beer-garden fare, including soft pretzels, bratwurst, hot dogs, chicken tenders, macaroni and cheese, tater tots and salads.

Many of the offerings incorporate products from other regional businesses. Pretzels come from Bread Shed, bratwurst and other meats are supplied by North Country Smokehouse, and desserts include small-batch gelato made locally by Frisky Cow Gelato.

The kitchen uses a commercial air fryer in a ventless setup rather than traditional grills and deep fryers. The menu is expected to grow as operations develop, with German-inspired currywurst among the planned additions.

The ordering process is designed to keep things moving. Customers can place orders from their tables or at a kiosk, pick up beverages at the bar and receive a text notification when their food is ready.

Platz also operates with a cashless, tipless service model, with a streamlined staffing approach overseen by General Manager Blake Spencer.

The current schedule includes Thursday and Friday evenings and all day Saturday and Sunday, with the possibility of expanded hours as staffing and operations allow.

More than a beer garden

The vision for Platz extends beyond its food and beverage offerings. The space is intended to serve as a flexible community venue, with live music and opportunities for gatherings and activities that reach beyond the traditional bar experience.

That vision will continue Sunday, Nov. 8, with the launch of Sanctuary Sunday, a wellness-focused program beginning with Pilates in partnership with Everglow Wellness.

The 10:15 a.m. session with Bethany welcomes participants of all experience levels. Guests are asked to bring their own mats, with the opportunity to stay afterward for mimosas, Prime Roast cold brew coffee or another beverage.