Where are you from Katie and what did you do in your home country?
I’m from the US, Portland Oregon. I was only 24 when I came to CR so whatever I was doing then wasn’t significant or memorable!

Why Costa Rica?

I was sent here by the Peace Corps. I knew absolutely nothing about CR when I got on the plane, maybe not even where it was on the map.

When & why did you start Handlebar?

We opened in November 2020 the first year of Covid. Our primary business was Airbnb rentals which clearly weren’t sustaining us. With the beaches closed in 2020 lots of locals had gotten into biking and we also knew that in good times & bad, people drink beer!

What were the most challenging things about opening the business? Opening Handlebar was difficult because we were right in the middle of Covid, no bikes or bike parts were available. We searched for used bikes and drove all over the country picking up anything we could find! We had no idea when we would be allowed to be open and what the rules were for establishments, the Covid restrictions were changing constantly.

Why is Handlebar successful?

I think it’s because it feels like a neighborhood bar. You don’t have to make a plan to meet up with friends, someone you know will surely be there! The concept is unique and often tourists put their foot in the door just to see if it’s actually a bike shop and bar. And once they’re in we get them with our beer selection and awesome grilled cheeses!

Future Plans?
We hope to do more events both with bikes & beer and more sandwich specials!! We are lucky to see our clients on a regular basis but we need to keep things new and exciting so they don’t get bored with us!

Just for Fun

Where in Costa Rica or Central America do you like to visit? We love San Jose, especially the Rohrmoser neighborhood. We love the parks and walking to Starbucks in the morning. So civilized!

Favorite Comedian or/and Actor? Julie Andrews

A Movie you can watch over & over? The Sound of Music. I try to always watch it on my birthday.

Your go-to Karaoke song? I never, ever sing Karaoke. Except that ONE time at the Villa Real Fiestas.

Something that most people might not know about you? I have 6 middle names.

A fantasy dinner party? My dream dinner would be with whoever was hanging out in front of Nibanna here in Tamarindo for sunset in 2005. It would be the usual suspects! We’d eat at Shlomy’s Pachanga. We’d have so much fun talking about our antics from the night before before we headed out to Babylon or Mambo or whichever ONE bar was open that night, to do it all over again!! My early years here were so incredible I would love to be able to experience it just once more, even for just a night!

Visit Handlebar's Website Here!