Something strange is brewing at LivCo’s newest craft beer destination.
Strange Design Public House has a name as fascinating as its history. The first part, “strange design” is taken from a Phish song. The second part, “public house” represents the desire of owners Tommy and Kristi Streamer to create a “third space”, a gathering place outside of your home open to the public.
Restoring a piece of local history.
The name is only half of the story. Strange Design has the honor of being housed in a 19th century Poor House. Originally built in the mid-1800s, the Livingston County Home, as it was called, was part of a state-run campus that housed disadvantaged people. The building that now holds Strange Design served as the men’s dormitory.
The last residents of the County Home moved out in the 1960s and the building was sold and left to disrepair in the 1980s. The start of its second chance came in 2010 when local developer Greg O’Connell purchased the building. O’Connell is a SUNY Geneseo alumni and active investor in small towns. He played a major part in the revitalization of Mount Morris and then turned his eye towards Geneseo.
The building started renovation and restoration in 2018, yet visitors today will see much of the same architecture as the early residents of the County Home did. O’Connell took pains to preserve and restore many original features, including the interior doors and windows.
Raise a glass.
Strange Design is a brewery with rotating taps of their latest brews, so you’ll be able to try something new no matter how often you stop by. It’s also one of eleven stops on the Livingston Libation Loop, a craft beverage trail featuring local breweries, wineries, and cideries.
Stopping by for a drink is a great way to soak up the history and energy of Strange Design, but if you want to see the space at its best, come for brunch.
Chefs Teddy Barnes and Nick Snyder are a dynamic team using their talents to create seasonal and themed specials. The Strange Design menu emulates the mantra “something similar but different” so you’ll recognize many traditional menu items along with unique twists. The menu changes seasonally to incorporate as many local ingredients as possible. They have rotating weekly specials, a seasonal menu, and 16 beers on tap, plus other local offerings. They also offer vegetarian and kid’s options, making it a truly inclusive third space for everyone.
Cheers to Sunday brunch.
Stopping by for a drink is a great way to soak up the history and energy of Strange Design, but if you want to see the space at its best, come for brunch. The menu changes seasonally to incorporate as many local ingredients as possible.
You will enjoy a menu of comfort food and breakfast bites including avocado toast with goat cheese and shaved red onion, a piping hot plate of chicken wings sauced with a maple glaze, a side of hot sauce hollandaise and crumbly blue cheese, a plate of house made corned beef hash with two eggs and white BBQ sauce, and much more. Brunch at Strange Design Public House is a Sunday staple you won't want to miss.
