Living in Athens but haven’t been to Casa yet? That “Shame” scene from GOT comes to mind. Casa Nueva is kind of an uptown hub for Athens – both OU students and permanent residents. And it’s not just their unique and local take on Mexican-American food they’ve got going on; there’s a bar, live music events, dance nights, arts shows, and more. If you’re looking for something to do on the weekend, it’s a pretty sure bet there’s something going on at Casa.
Casa Nueva Cuisine
Advocates and adherents to the Slow Food movement (much like the vibe at Village Bakery), everything at Casa is cooked from scratch, fresh, and in-house. Their salsas, dips and dressings are to die for, so it’s lucky they offer them for purchase in half pints and pints. Their cuisine is Mexican-ish; well, as close as an Ohio take on Mexican can be.
Regardless, it’s delicious, indulgent, and their ingredients are from the Appalachian foothills in Athens and the surrounding region, grown and raised sustainably by local farmers. Even the meats are local! Well, except the seafood, for obvious reasons. Their menu is also super-flexible, so it can be vegan, veg, or gluten-free. There’s something for everybody. And there’s also a bar, so there’s that.
An Ever-Changing Art Gallery
Speaking of the bar, the side where all the events happen is separate from the cozy restaurant spaces. The car/cantina/music/dance/art area is an open space with a stage and a few booths and tables. Pretty much all the time, you’ll see local artists’ work on displays on the walls surrounding the room. Each artist is usually hosted for about a month. The fun thing about this is their choice of local artist usually happens organically, so you rarely know what’s coming next!
Live Music, & Dance Nights for Gen X through Gen Z
There’s no shortage of bars in Athens, but there is a bit of a shortage on dance-focused nightlife. Not at Casa, though. Casa has live music and open stages regularly, and they also host local DJs and regional musical artists. DJ Barticus, one of our local faves, regularly hosts dance nights at Casa, and they’re all themed. Everything from ‘80s nostalgia to that aughts music Millennials can’t get enough of to current hits, just like the menu, Casa’s nightlife events offers something for everybody
Check out their site for upcoming events and to creep on their inclusive menu.