At first glance, Market Street in Maysville looks like a storybook. With its brick facades, river breeze and slow rhythm, it speaks of another time, a place that still remembers itself.
Inside the recently restored Chandler’s Bar, in one of Maysville’s oldest buildings, laughter spills across worn wooden floors, mingling with the hum of dinner conversation and the clinking of glasses. The place feels alive.
Behind that revival are Angella and John Brucellaria, a Florida couple who never planned to become restaurateurs, preservationists or local heroes, yet somehow became all three.
“We’re still Florida residents,” Angella said with a warm smile. “But we’ve been coming to Maysville since 2003 for vacation. We fell in love with this town on one of our drives along the river.”
John, a pilot, always dreamed of owning a historic building — something with a story, character, and bones that would last. That dream took shape when the couple purchased the building that contains Chandler’s Bar, a landmark along Market Street that had seen generations of laughter, late nights and local legends.
Years later, when the former owner decided to close the bar, Angella didn’t hesitate to take over and keep it running. “We already owned the building,” she said. “I thought, why not keep it alive? Let’s save the jobs and the spirit of the place.”
Since taking over, Chandler’s Bar has become more than a bar; it’s a gathering place where everyone feels like family. “It’s a great place to eat,” said Tandy Floyd, education curator at the Kentucky Gateway Museum Center. “I get the same thing every time. The servers remember what you drink and make you feel right at home.”
When Chandler’s Bar opens at 4 p.m., Patti North, David Green and Angie Lohman, who often come in, have claimed their favorite corner table. “This is like my Cheers,” David said laughing. “It’s just always been that place for me. It’s always been like home. Staff all know you will call, say ‘hey, we’re coming down’ and they will reserve our corner for us.”
Running a small-town restaurant isn’t easy, but Angella’s joy seems to resonate through the bar, filling the room with warmth and life that everyone can feel the moment they walk in. “When people laugh, hug, and feel connected here, that’s what makes it worth it,” she said.
Every detail within the bar’s walls reflects that care. The old butcher’s hooks still hang from the ceiling, the tin tiles shine again and photos of the building’s past line the walls. John, a craftsman and history enthusiast, restored much of the architecture himself. “You can’t buy this kind of woodwork anywhere,” Angela said, looking up at the restored ceiling beams he made by hand. “He molds and recreates everything so it matches the original. It’s art, but it’s also love.”
In a town shaped by the river’s rhythm and the stories of its people, Chandler’s Bar has become the pulse of the community. In this place, history, hospitality and genuine connection come together under one roof.
