New London — "The Social is coming..." a sign mysteriously said on Bank Street — for almost two years before the new bar and restaurant opened on Sailfest weekend in the former Solomon's office supply store.

Now that the wait is over, owner Brian Stradczuk can't wait to show off the 10,000-square-foot establishment that features 50 varieties of beer.

"Brian came up with the idea for 50 varieties," said Sean Murray, district manager at The Social and the nearby Oasis pub. "I was kind of flabbergasted at first. But there are so many bar styles now; so many different kinds of tastes ... It's been working out nicely."

Stradczuk also insisted on the let-it-all-hang-out industrial style of The Social, where the cavernous space is broken up by nooks where customers can hang out.

"I just wanted to have the building speak for itself," said Stradczuk, who also owns the Oasis on Bank Street and did much of the renovation work, keeping the original floors. "The bones of the building were phenomenal."

But the main thing The Social has going for it is the atmosphere, which seems to entice gatherings of all types.

In fact, long-term plans include having a brew pub as part of the offerings, Murray said. Near-term, Murray said, The Social is hoping to open the 5,000-square-foot downstairs by this winter, where musical acts will be featured. A deck, by next spring, will increase seating capacity and offer some water views.

The Social, open only midafternoon to evening, is big on craft beers, including local brews from Outer Light in Groton, Beer'd in Stonington, Grey Sail in Westerly and Cottrell in Pawcatuck. Its beers are always rotating, Murray said, but the bar's brew selection is usually composed of at least half locally based varieties.

Now with about 25 employees, The Social sits on a side of Bank Street that has seen some real traction in recent months, with the addition of Fatboy's restaurant, The Bistro on Bank, Daddy Jack's and an expansion of Mambo's.

"At night, there's activity down here," Murray said. "It's really cool."

Stradczuk said he has a philosophy of letting the market tell him what it needs, but he is encouraged with all the activity at Electric Boat and prospects for a National Coast Guard Museum downtown.

"New London is a great place for this kind of stuff," he said.

Murray said he is encouraged by all the people who have been drawn downtown to The Social and other new enterprises. The Social, he said, is one of those places that make the city feel more modern and more fun.

"We're helping increase the nightlife of New London," he said. "People are drawn from out of town to see how cool New London is."

Murray said he expects to start offering live entertainment starting on weekends within the next few weeks.

Activities will include "tap takeovers," when one brewery offers tastings to patrons, and meet-the-brewer events and beer dinners. Collaborations are already in the works, Murray said, with Spark Makerspace and Hygienic Art for other types of events, and nonprofits are also invited to use the space.

Murray admits that the food offerings are still a work in progress and that some early reviews online were critical.

"We streamlined the menu so we could figure it out," he said. "Now we're adding more entrees."

The menu includes burgers and sandwiches, comfort food such as shepherd's pie for $10 and grilled chicken for $12. Beer-battered haddock goes for $12, while a black bean burger called The Heisenberger runs $9.

"We're not going to be Mystic in our pricing," Murray said.

Yet Murray has been impressed by the spread of ages attracted to The Social.

"The place definitely feels young," Murray said. "But the thing about New London is that everybody is either young or young at heart."

Murray and Stradczuk had first looked at the old El 'n' Gee Club on Golden Street, but then Murray noticed a for-lease sign at the old Solomon's building and they immediately decided to scoop it up.

The pair wase inspired by the comparisons New London sometimes elicits to Burlington, Vt., and Portland, Maine, but the look of The Social is closer to something that might be seen in San Diego or Portland, Ore., Murray said.

"We wanted to look like you were stepping into a hip city," Murray said. "There's a bright social scene in New London. Everyone knows each other. This is 'The Simpsons'; we're living in 'The Simpsons.'"

l.howard@theday.com

The Social Bar and Kitchen

Where: 208 Bank St., New London

Who: Brian Stradczuk, owner

Employees: 25

Hours: 3-11 p.m. Mon.-Wed.; 3-midnight Thurs.; 3 p.m.-1 a.m. Fri.-Sat.; 3-10 p.m. Sun.

Contact: (860) 442-6900; Facebook