The long-awaited signs of summer are finally popping up in Fort Wayne. One of the biggest? The Deck, the city’s riverside hotspot for drinks and dining, just announced its 2025 opening date — and locals can hardly wait.
Barring any bad weather, The Deck will swing open its gates on Tuesday, May 13, ready to welcome back sun-chasers and food lovers alike.
The Deck’s Return Signals the Start of Summer in Fort Wayne
There’s something almost magical about The Deck reopening.
Located snugly along the St. Mary’s River, just outside Don Hall’s Old Gas House on Superior Street, The Deck isn’t just a restaurant. It’s where the whole city seems to spill out after a long, stubborn winter.
People crave it: the open-air seating, the soft clink of glasses, the easy laughter drifting over the water. Some say summer doesn’t really start here until you’ve had a beer at The Deck.
Getting Ready: Staff, Space, and Sunshine
Right now, crews are racing against the clock to get everything just right.
Staff hiring is still underway. Managers are finalizing teams, training new faces, and prepping returning veterans for another packed season. As for the outdoor area? It’s getting the TLC it needs after a long, harsh winter.
One worker, stacking chairs by the riverside, grinned and said, “We’ve been dreaming about this since February. It’s like prepping for a giant backyard party — just one that thousands of people show up to!”
Even though May weather can be tricky, management says they’re hopeful the big day will go off without a hitch.
What Makes The Deck So Special?
Ask around town and you’ll get a thousand different answers.
Some come for the food — casual, tasty, made for sharing. Others swear by the sprawling drink menu. And a few regulars just want a place to soak up the sun without leaving downtown.
Highlights that keep crowds coming back:
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Spacious open-air patio with river views
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Signature cocktails and craft beer options
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Casual favorites like burgers, wraps, and seafood bites
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Laid-back, no-fuss atmosphere perfect for groups
It’s the kind of spot where you can show up in flip-flops or work boots, order a cold one, and forget what day it is.
What You Need to Know Before You Go
Planning your first trip of the season? Here’s a quick cheat sheet:
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Opening Date | Tuesday, May 13, 2025 (weather permitting) |
| Location | Outside Don Hall’s Old Gas House, Superior Street, Fort Wayne |
| Hours | Typically afternoons to late evening (official hours to be posted soon) |
| Seating | First-come, first-served; no reservations |
| Parking | Available near Old Gas House and nearby lots |
| Pets | Allowed on leashes (but double-check policies day-of) |
It’s a casual, come-as-you-are vibe. Pro tip: get there early, especially on weekends, because seats fill up fast once the word spreads.
Weather: The Only Wildcard
Of course, this is Indiana we’re talking about. Spring storms, random cold snaps, and soggy days aren’t exactly rare.
The Deck’s management team made it clear: May 13 is the goal, but if Mother Nature has other plans, they’ll push back a day or two.
One manager put it bluntly, “We want the first day to feel like a celebration, not like survival. If it’s raining sideways, we’re not opening umbrellas — we’re rescheduling.”
Updates will be posted on The Deck’s social media and Don Hall’s websites if any changes happen.
Beyond the Food: Why The Deck Matters to Fort Wayne
It’s easy to think of The Deck as just another place to grab a drink. But for Fort Wayne, it’s more than that.
It’s date nights. It’s old friends catching up. It’s office happy hours spilling into sunset selfies.
It’s also an economic driver. The Deck pulls thousands into downtown every season, giving a boost not just to the Hall’s brand, but to other nearby restaurants, shops, and events.
In a city fighting hard to keep its downtown vibrant, that matters a lot.
No one summed it up better than a Fort Wayne native posting online: “When The Deck opens, Fort Wayne wakes up.”
