GRAFTON, N.D. — The summer heat has settled over Grafton like a blanket, but something else is drawing people out of their homes on Thursday nights. Down on Hill Avenue, a martini bar called Byrdie's has become an unexpected magnet, turning a quiet evening into a dress-up affair. The crowd isn't just showing up; they're putting on cocktail dresses, fancy shirts, and party clothes, as if stepping into a scene from a different era.

Dr. Bobbie Ekman, a well-known dentist in town and owner of a nearby clothing-gift shop, had a vision. She and her husband bought the building that once housed Polly's, a long-standing local bar. The place had been remodeled in the 1950s, hiding a tin ceiling that Ekman suspected was still there. When they started knocking down walls, they found it — and much more. "When we first walked in here, it had all been modernized in the 1950s, so most people today won't know there was a tin ceiling underneath," Ekman said, the sound of a martini shaker punctuating her words.

The renovation went beyond local materials. Ekman brought in a bar from Egypt and wallpaper from Poland, creating an eclectic yet refined atmosphere. Trained bartenders now shake and stir cocktails like Manhattans, Gibsons, and Lemon Drops, serving a crowd that comes for more than just a drink. The bar is open only one night a week, Thursdays from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m., but that limited schedule seems to fuel its allure.

"It is like a dream fulfilled. When you are putting together all the plans and materials, you never are certain it will all go together," Ekman said, standing amid the clink of glasses and laughter. She and her husband had long wanted a place in town where they could go for a date night or a cocktail — something a little fancy. So they built it themselves.

The decision to open Byrdie's has resonated far beyond their own desires. Kylen Kostrzewski, a customer, described the bar as a catalyst for downtown renewal. "They went out of their way to energize downtown Grafton, which is a big deal when many small towns are dying. They are bringing energy to downtown," Kostrzewski said.

History lurks in the corners of the bar, too. A covered-up wall once served as a secret spot for serving liquor during Prohibition. "You can see the outline. Gentleman would go back there for cocktails, we assume," Ekman said, pointing to the faint traces of a bygone era.

Family and friends staff the weekly martini night, adding a personal touch that makes the experience feel like an invitation to a private party. The name "Byrdie's" itself is a nod to family history, taken from Ekman's great-aunt.

For Ekman, the venture is a lesson in courage. "My message is, don't be afraid to take a risk," she said. The bar is also available for meetings and group events, and more information can be found on its Facebook page. In a small town where many downtowns struggle, Byrdie's has become a Thursday night ritual — proof that a little risk and a lot of style can turn a historic bar into a vibrant community hub.