A new bar aims to provide a fun atmosphere for urban professionals and pay homage to a historic establishment once located a few blocks away.

    The Golden Fleece Tavern opened at 132 W. Loockerman St., on the Fourth of July weekend, and co-owner Diana Welch said the opening date was selected to honor the establishment’s namesake.

    The original Golden Fleece Tavern was located near The Green and served as a meeting place to read wartime dispatches and discuss politics during the Revolutionary War. In 1787, officials met in the bar to ratify the U.S. Constitution and made Delaware the first state to approve the document.

    “We wanted to try to bring back history,” Welch said, noting that a copy of the Constitution hangs on the walls, and the original tavern’s logo depicting a sheep hangs on a sign outside the Loockerman Street bar.

    In addition to offering a selection of domestic and imported draft beers, the Golden Fleece Tavern serves signature mixed drinks with names such as “the Redcoat,” “the Loose Liberal” and “Rigid Republican.”

    “We’d like to become known as a political bar and host some political fundraisers in the future,” Welch said.

    She added the establishment also aims to provide “an adult bar for adults” that allows people to listen to music and hold conversations with friends and co-workers in a nice setting.

    In the next two weeks, Welch said the bar also will open an outside area, which will serve barbecue and provide additional seating to patrons.

    The bar hosts the band Sand Creek from 7 to 9 p.m. on the first and third Monday of every month and invites different music groups to play on the second and fourth Mondays.

    The Golden Fleece Tavern also hosts karaoke from 8 p.m. to midnight Thursday nights, and all first responders, such as fire and police personnel, will receive a 10% discount on their bills on Tuesday nights.

    The Golden Fleece Tavern opens at 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday and can be reached at 674-1776 or through their website at www.thegoldenfleecetavern.com.

     Email Elaine Hughes at elaine.hughes@doverpost.com