Where will we drink? There’s a rash of bar shakeups leaving their thirsty faithful, well, a bit parched. Here’s the download…
Black Cat: The freak flag flew high at this funky little Penngrove bar, and BiteClub for one is misty over its demise. Eight-year owner Robin Pfefer hosted some of the area’s coolest musical acts (squeezed into the tight corner) along with open mic nights and fostered a healthy community spirit where gay, straight, young, old and everyone on the spectrum could cozy up on the cracked vinyl seats and hang. All of us freaks. We’ll miss the mayor, the bras on the ceiling, le chat noir poster and the feeling that there was at least one last bastion the tan/gym/laundry crowd hadn’t infiltrated. The Cat hosts its final farewell on August 28, when the bras from above will be given to their owners/admirers. The bar will officially close in mid-September and has been purchased by the owners of Cotati’s Eight Ball, reopening in the fall as Mack’s. “It’s bittersweet,” said Pfefer, who is closing the bar in order to spend more time with her toddler son. “We had the greatest clientele, the greatest staff. But because the bar is gone doesn’t mean the people are gone. They’ll pick up the freak flag and fly it somewhere else,” she said. The only good news, Humble Pie next door will remain open. 10056 Main Street, Penngrove, (707) 793-9480.
The Vine: The ultra-lounge formerly known as Seven, and then The Vine, is officially closed. A for sale sign is posted in the window. Doomed from the start? It seems the ghost of Seven never quite left the building. 528 7th Street, Santa Rosa, (707) 527-5600
Stir: There’s no official word, but recently Stir hasn’t been stirring. We’ve seen this kind of thing before at the Mendocino Ave. cocktail lounge — one night packed, another mysteriously dark — so we’re not tolling the death bell just yet. But the phone has been “temporarily disconnected” and their Facebook fan page indicates that the swizzle sticks are on ice for now. The former Barcode has long been a challenging spot, but Stir seemed to be getting it right. Ste D, 404 Mendocino Avenue, Santa Rosa, (707) 284-7480.
Is there still hope? BiteClub hears through the grapevine that several other local spots are on the skids (though others are doing just fine, thanks). Why do some watering holes thrive while others head over the guardrail in just a few months? And while we’re at it, why do some bars swear they’ll never play hip-hop, only to throw it on the turntables a month later.
One insider we talked to said that he tells bar owners that they’ll be lucky to be full two nights a week. And if they can’t support that, then they’re swimming upstream. Especially in this market. What’s your take?
Personally, I’m voting for someone to open a burlesque bar atop the 440. Now that’s something we could all get behind…
Stir was a real piece of shit.
oops, sorry for the misspelled words…Typed toooo fast!
Yes, the Black Cat is closing..but lets not step all over the new owners of Mack’s, give them a chance. You are already setting a bad tone with out even allowing them to open. I, for one will cetainly give them the opportunity…I know I’m aging myself but they may end up being the new “Cheers” in the area…. Your neighborhood hang-out….Of course with a new Sam, Cliff & Norm..lol
Stir was a super lame bar with broski’s as their patrons. The Vine aka Seven was a POS. These places close because they suck. The drinks are so overpriced.
U wonder why the belvedre, 440, portofino’s, and the dirty bird , third street aleworks have been open for a long time.
Upper 4th closed as well. I would never pay for a ten dollar drink in Santa Rosa the nightlife is so gay.
The bar scene is for infidels. Unless you brew beer, i.e. Russian River BC and 3rd st. Ale Works, you are a lost cause for vacuous zombies.
I dunno, I like the beers at RRBC and enjoy the fish tacos at 3rd Street, but I would say both places are filled with bros AND hipsters. So I think “vacuous zombies” are everywhere and rather than judging everyone, I will go where I please and F the rest of ’em.
But that’s just me.
As someone mentioned to me yesterday…it’s the lucite heels crowd. They kind of ruin it for everyone. Just go out, be chill, have fun, but don’t act like a tool. Then again, I probably acted like a tool when I was in my 20s, too.
Goodbye Black Cat. The bras were dumb and the clientele was weak.
I don’t suppose we could have live electronica? Something really cool. Nope..guess not.
Uh, I think you and I might be the only patrons.
They all promise no hip-hop, but in the end they go where the money is. Hip hop haters need to get out and spend and show the support….although I will never again believe a lounge owner that makes that promise. Maybe some one will try a speak easy, or a piano or jazz bar. That could be a fun change.
Why do some fail?
Duhhh. Because most people have no clue as to how difficult it is to own and run a business. Liability Insurance, Property Tax, Personal Property tax, Unemployment Tax, FICA, Sales Tax,. Liquor License. Workers Comp. Employee theft. Customer theft. Cheaters, Liars and having to deal with Government Bureaucrats who have never owned a business themselves. Then the owner hopes they make enough money to give themselves a pay check. Why does any business fail, because owning a business is extremely difficult, risky and many people don’t have a clue as to how difficult it is until they own a business and try to make a profit.
The Black Cat is closing? Now that’s sad.