While Central Oregon has its share of bars surrounded by patios with food trucks or carts, few can match the view provided by the new Over The Edge Taphouse in Crooked River Ranch.

But owner Lynnelle Morgan said more importantly, it provides a place for families and friends to gather without having to leave the ranch, which is a 20-minute drive from Redmond and even farther from Bend.

“My hope was to bring the community together, to have a place where the community can come and read a book, hang out and enjoy a beer and a meal,” she said.

The reaction to the taphouse has been strong. Morgan said Over The Edge had a soft opening in October, which drew more than 250 people, with 400 people attending a grand opening.

“That’s how needed it is in the community, people just showed up,” she said.

The bar is inside a 1,500-square-foot wooden building, which has three garage doors to open up in warmer months.

It has 21 beers and ciders on tap, along with 10 types of wine. Among the beers is Panty Dropper Ale, which was created by Morgan’s sister, Linda Dennis, and brewed by contract with Silver Moon.

The bar has several televisions, with both Dish and DirecTV service, allowing it to show the Pac-12 Network and NFL Sunday Ticket.

“For me, it’s a little better environment,” Craig Towell, a 26-year Crooked River Ranch resident said of Over The Edge.

“It just seems really mellow, calm. That’s what I like in a bar. It feels good here.”

Outside are several food trucks, including Hoggy Style BBQ, which relocated from a Redmond brewery; Grub-Ish, which opens for breakfast and features items like chicken and waffles and Wicked Wingz; which offers 32 varieties of chicken wings, as well as hamburgers and fries. Another truck, Crooked River Pizza Shack, is expected to open Jan. 1.

“It’s a better fit for us, with barbecue and the personality of the ranch,” said Brad Allen, who runs Hoggy Style with wife, Deanna. “It’s exceeded our expectations out here. The people out here are nice and friendly and they love barbecue.”

The patio includes fire pits, so the outdoors can be enjoyed year round.

Over The Edge is adding cornhole games and even a nine-hole miniature golf course. Another activity will be added by spring that Morgan said will be the only one of its kind in Central Oregon.

“I’m not letting the cat out of the bag, because I don’t want anyone to steal it,” she said.

Over The Edge has regular events, like Wednesday night trivia Sunday cribbage tournaments, as well as special events, including live music and a visit last weekend from Santa Claus.

Then there is the view. From inside the bar, you can see surrounding hills, which Morgan said is particularly striking when smokejumpers train. A short walk outside brings you in view of Mount Jefferson. The taphouse connects to a walking path that can take hikers to the river or golf course.

And the whole place is family friendly and open to children and dogs. Morgan said dogs can come inside because food is made outside the building.

Morgan, who owns Black Dog Construction with her husband Brian, got the idea for the taphouse from The Bite in Tumalo, which also features a mixture of a bar and food trucks. She said there is nothing like it in Jefferson County.

“I loved how it was a gathering place,” she said. “Crooked River Ranch needed a gathering place. As far as I know, this is the first place in 15 years that has been built specifically as a gathering place on the ranch.”

And residents of the ranch appreciate it.

“It definitely helps not having to go into town at night if you don’t want to cook dinner,” said Sheana Hopson, who added the atmosphere is appropriate for her two children. “It’s nice being able to stay near home.”