Owner of AJ's Ultra Lounge to Open New Bar Towards End of August

Ben Singh, the owner of AJ’s Ultra Lounge, is currently working toward opening his new sports bar at 206 Welch Avenue.

“Iowa State brings a lot of money into the sports,” Singh said. “But when people come to watch football and basketball, there is no place to go in Campustown.”

The building was originally a leasing office for a student housing complex. Now, it is being renovated into Singh’s sports bar. The interior design plans will be completed by the end of July.

He named the bar BN’C Field House, after the initials of his children, Brian, Natalya and Chris.

Singh hopes to be more inclusive of families, friends and alumni, while still attracting Iowa State’s students.

He said families have places to go watch sports in north and west Ames but nowhere in Campustown. All of the bars in Campustown have a different culture than sports bars.

“One of my main goals is to bring the alumnus back to Campustown,” Singh said.

While the bar can accommodate families, it will still be open to students and hold popular student activities like “Friday after class.”

Friday after class, or what is more commonly known as FAC, is when bars open at 5 p.m. on Fridays and serve discounted drinks, and many bars participate in it.

BN’C Field House will be different than the other bars: It will have just under 20 televisions. The expected capacity is 300 people.

After he opens the bar, he will start working on opening the kitchen. Singh plans to offer ten different options on the bar’s menu. The kitchen is anticipated to open in December.

“I plan to open the bar before the first football game on Sept. 1,” Singh said.

Singh recently got his liquor license approved. It became effective on July 1, 2018. He is now waiting for the inspection to pass.