You walk into a small cell. You hear the rough roll and clink of the cell door as it slams shut behind you. Is this the end of the line? Is it a surreal “Locked Up Abroad” (or in Owego’s case, “Locked Up in a Small Town”) experience?

No. You’re just having a good drink and a good time at the Calaboose Grille.

The restaurant and bar is located in the former Tioga County jail and serves up a plethora of new American-style cuisine and a wide variety of spirits. At the same time, the Calaboose Grille’s original historic features contribute to a "captivating" ambiance and dining experience.

The foundation of the Tioga County jail was built in 1908 by a chain gang of prisoners. After the jail’s completion, inmates resided there during the evening after a long day of working in Owego’s stone yard. The jail held Tioga County prisoners for more than 80 years. In 1997, a local developer bought it and renovated the historic lockup, hoping to give it a new start.

Four years later, new owners acquired the old jail with plans to open a restaurant and bar. In order to keep the establishment connected to its penitentiary roots, the owners chose the name “Calaboose Grille,” drawing on the Cajun slang term calaboose (meaning jail) for inspiration. They also integrated the original jail cells into their restaurant design so that patrons could have an unusual -- yet memorable -- experience.

Today if you swing by the Calaboose Grille, you can enjoy this unconventional atmosphere while sipping on a Sam Adams, Ithaca Cascazilla, or strawberry mojito. Add to that, a bill of fare ranging from pastas to steaks to burgers and wraps.

On beautiful spring or summer days you can escape the jail scene and have an alfresco fine dining experience on the patio overlooking the Court House Square and a European-style beer garden. If you happen to notice pictures moving by themselves, lights flickering, or untraceable footsteps, don’t be alarmed. It's just the resident ghost -- or George, as he is more fondly known -- making his rounds.

If you’d like to meet George, or just want to have a beer and steak behind bars, here’s what you need to know:

Location: 176 Main St., Owego, NY 13827

Hours: Monday-Thursday: 11 am-9 pm; Friday & Saturday: 11 am-10 pm

You’re Having: A Calaboose Classic or Pretty Boy Floyd Two Fisted Burger and a “fun and fantastic libation” that fits your palate.

Best Yelp Review: “WOW! We walked in and were instantly captivated (pun totally intended) by the atmosphere. The bartender was friendly and fun. Well drinks and house wine are 2 for 1 all the time (can you say AWESOME??).”