Downtown bar The Lamp Post closed a couple months back, but it's being brought back to life starting today by a few familiar faces.

Chuck Leonard (of the "Central Valley Buzz" talk show) and Steve Duquette (from Tower Dogs) have partnered to take over the Post, in doing so giving it a makeover and adding a few fresh, new amenities. It certainly sounds different than many bars in town.

We'll let Leonard explain:

It is an art gallery/bar, which we are affecionately calling a Bart gallery! Our featured artists of the month are Stephanie Allison and Jaryd Crabtree. The artists will change out every month and will recieve 100% of the sale of their art.

I haven't mentioned that it no longer qualifies as a dive bar. We have spent the last 2 months completely remodeling and think that we have come up with one of the best looking bars in Fresno!

For entertainment we will be spinning vinyl,which the customers can bring in themselves to listen to on their visit. They may also leave the album there for their next visit. On Sundays we will have Wii bowling tournaments that will be kinda serious!! We will be carrying craft beers and local wines. We will also be a Jazz Hop and ArtHop location.

The Lamp Post opens today at 3 p.m. There's going to be live music from Creeping Green Band and the Monday Night Football game will be shown on a 100-inch TV. The Lamp Post is at 607 Divisadero St., a few blocks west from Fulton 55 in Fresno's Mural District.

[photo: Joe Osejo photography]