Located at 62 Green St. in Worcester, Buck’s Whiskey and Burger Bar is the city’s spot for gourmet burgers and tasty spirits that are perfectly paired!

Owner Nick Panarelli is a third-generation restaurant owner. After years of working with his family, Panarelli is venturing out on his own with Buck’s Whiskey and Burger Bar.

“We opened at the end of April this year, and the response from the community has been phenomenal. It has been much better than I anticipated!” he said.

As for what inspired Panarelli to open Buck’s, he said the country style and music were a big influence. “There were a couple places in New Hampshire that were around the idea of a country bar,” he said. “With how popular country music and the country scene is, it felt like something like that would do well in Worcester, so I took the country theme here. The main theme I’ve associated with country is simplicity, so I wanted to do that for the menu. We have just about 30 to 35 items on there total.”

Panarelli describes Buck’s in one word – comfort. “Everyone feels very comfortable in this place. We have simple décor – wood walls, different farmhouse paintings, exposed brick, modern granite countertops, etc. We also had a local artist design a chalkboard. It’s very country modern,” he added.

As for the menu, while Buck’s Whiskey and Burger Bar specializes in delicious burgers, there is so much more! Buck’s offers everything from shareables to entrees.

“There is something for everyone. You don’t just have to get a burger,” Panarelli said.

Shareables like fried pickles, sliders and nachos range from $7-$12, and soups and salads like Roasted Red Pepper Corn Chowder and a wedge salad go for $6-$8. Tacos range from $10-$12, and you have a choice between fish, shrimp, pulled pork, chicken or steak tip tacos! Entrees like Mac and Cheese and the popular Southwestern Steak Tips range from $8-$16.

“The steak tips are marinated in white zinfandel and whiskey. People freak out over them!” Panarelli said.

Panarelli and his team also offer daily specials. “Monday is two-for-one burgers; Tuesday is $3 tacos; Wednesday is half-priced apps; Thursday is $1 cheese pizzas; Friday is $9.99 fish and chips; Saturday is prime rib; and Sunday is 50-cent bone-in or boneless wings,” he said.

On Thursdays, Buck’s also has live music.

Buck’s is just as much a whiskey bar as it is a great restaurant, Panarelli said. “We have over 40 kinds of whiskey, including scotch, rye, Irish whiskeys, etc. However, we specialize in Japanese whiskey.”

Buck’s also has a wide variety of craft beers like Wormtown and Medusa. “We have a craft cooler that displays over 100 cans of all different beers from Exhibit A to ciders,” he added. No matter what you choose, all offerings will surely pair well with the delicious menu.

So with the already-great success of the restaurant, what’s Panarelli’s vision for Bucks moving forward?

“I don’t want to meet standards, I want to set them,” he said.

Buck’s Whiskey and Burger Bar is open 4 p.m.-midnight Monday-Thursday and 11 a.m.-midnight Friday-Sunday. For more information, find Buck’s Whiskey and Burger Bar on Facebook or visitbucksworcester.com.

Rachel Shuster