Guerneville’s food and drink renaissance continues with the soon-to-open El Barrio cocktail lounge on September 27, 2014. It’s the next in a series of food and drink projects by Crista Luedtke, who also owns big bottom market, boon eat+drink and boon hotel+spa.
The “Mexican modern cocktail lounge” will focus on spirits–bourbon, tequila and mezcal–rather than food, with a robust drink program developed by SF bartender and consultant Christina Cabrera (Novela, Range, Marlow, Michael Mina). Luedtke says the name, which translates as ‘the neighborhood’ is also a play on words “bar” and “rio”, or river bar.
The lounge replaces Whitetail Winebar, and the revamped interior includes custom made Talavera tile and a graffiti wall installation by ‘the Apexer’, a SF based artists.
More details in the next couple weeks.
El Barrio, 16230 Main St., Guerneville, www.elbarriobar.com
Not sure how they’re going to make it unless she’s got family $ or is independently wealthy. While I welcome capitalist enterprises in the meth dump & drug dump that is Guerneville, I wonder how it will survive as an expensive bar.
I’m now wondering if they’re providing a valuable service for locals by segregating those clueless tourists willing to pay $4.00 for a cupcake and $12.00 for a tequila cocktail from the rest of us.
Not sure how they’re going to make it unless she’s got family $ or is independently wealthy. While I welcome capitalist enterprises in the meth dump & drug dump that is Guerneville, I wonder how it will survive as an expensive bar.
I’m not opposed to new businesses at the river. For example, Blomster’s, has been a welcomed addition offering exciting food options at several different price points.
However, businesses like Boon, Big Bottom Market, Seaside Metal and, now, El Barrio, based on their price points are catering to an elite group of weekenders that do not represent the local demographic. And when there are only so many storefronts in town and a disproportionate number of them are now filled by businesses that few locals can afford, that seems to be a sign of an unsustainable economy.
And in this instance it seems to indicate the presence of some greedy, opportunistic capitalists looking to milk a small town for all it’s charm with little regard to the long term effects of their money making schemes. The small bit of local support of these businesses seem to be fueled by the prospect of increased property value more than anything else.
Why not open sustainanable businesses that benefit and cater to both locals and weekenders?
Are you suggesting that people like those closeted guys in Guerneville who had a high profile business and made a killing in the Real estate market then scooped up their cash and high tailed it down to Palm Springs to retire might happen again!
I’m not opposed to new businesses at the river. For example, Blomster’s, has been a welcomed addition offering exciting food options at several different price points.
However, businesses like Boon, Big Bottom Market, Seaside Metal and, now, El Barrio, based on their price points are catering to an elite group of weekenders that do not represent the local demographic. And when there are only so many storefronts in town and a disproportionate number of them are now filled by businesses that few locals can afford, that seems to be a sign of an unsustainable economy.
And in this instance it seems to indicate the presence of some greedy, opportunistic capitalists looking to milk a small town for all it’s charm with little regard to the long term effects of their money making schemes. The small bit of local support of these businesses seem to be fueled by the prospect of increased property value more than anything else.
Why not open sustainanable businesses that benefit and cater to both locals and weekenders?
The hard fact is that businesses, run by lazy people with little vim, vigor, imagination and less taste …fail. That’s hard. The River area is a somewhat seasonal market -but those with dynamic ideas, great product and community involvement tend to thrive here. There’s a fantastic renaissance going on in Guerneville and honestly, a lot of it has to do with Crista Luedtke’s exciting, quality businesses. She’s part of what draws me to the area- killer food, great smiles and honest, hard work.
Having been in the area for over 30 years, we’ve all seen this scenario several times where dollar signs trump community. When either Ms. Luedtke extracts enough money out of the community or she inevitably gets flooded out, (ALL of her properties are in well know deep flood zones) She’ll collect her insurance, settle elsewhere and leave Guerneville nothing.
The hard fact is that businesses, run by lazy people with little vim, vigor, imagination and less taste …fail. That’s hard. The River area is a somewhat seasonal market -but those with dynamic ideas, great product and community involvement tend to thrive here. There’s a fantastic renaissance going on in Guerneville and honestly, a lot of it has to do with Crista Luedtke’s exciting, quality businesses. She’s part of what draws me to the area- killer food, great smiles and honest, hard work.
One of several thousand restaurants that have come and gone from the River area.
One of several thousand restaurants that have come and gone from the River area.
Sounds great but I would definitely emphasize Bar-Rio. As a Latina living in the “hood,” not so good connotations came to mind when I first read the name. But it will give me an excuse to head toward the river.
Sounds great but I would definitely emphasize Bar-Rio. As a Latina living in the “hood,” not so good connotations came to mind when I first read the name. But it will give me an excuse to head toward the river.
“One flood will wash these pretentious yuppies out of our hair.”
I love it.
Tell me about it. Someone inherited a Monopoloy!
Pushed out WhiteTail after a few fights, and walla. Good luck Guerneville, “the dumping ground of Sonoma County”
Ever hear of River Rats? Well if you look through the windows at night, they don’t go away in those old buildings. Trust me, I suffered through ownership there. Would never do it again.
So did I, it’s a haunted messed up place, and anyone who invests there will lose, and regret it. I did. Just wait….
You can’t make 12 months income in 3.
Another note: Guerneville and the Russian River area is the dumping ground of the County.
Every County needs a place to send people on meds with a 1 way ticket.
Sonoma County should treat Healdsburg as they do Guerneville.
It is a rigged area because of the Bohemian Grove. My family were early playwrights for the Grove. And they were evil plays.
The churches in Guerneville, Masonic organizations, Drugs, the whole area is rigged.
And if your a straight couple, identified as a “Breeder”, those men-haters will ruin your relationship.
Also introduced as “Single Friend”.
The town has been sold to Men-Haters.
Destroy the family. Feminism competition within a relationship. Power or Love can’t have both.
Guerneville is a tinder box and should return to its roots as a family vacation town.
Amen
I meant to say introduced as “Straight Friend”. Reversed prejudice in Guerneville is apparent.
Haunted: Yes
Watch out for groups of Women. Witches.
When it turns to Fall and Winter, the town is rigged.
The bums are the eyes and ears and your life could be rigged.
I know this as fact! All the street names are named after certain spots around state and world. It used to be a microcosm of communication and planning before tech.
In the 1800s many cultures met near Ft Ross and made a deal. Right before Big Bear Revolt. That is why best beaches are in Sonoma Coast. 3 ways in.
It is POMO land and the Indians used to control and watch the area in the Winter. (1900-1950).
I could talk for hours on the trees that built SF 2 times before and after the earthquakes. Age of Trees and Spirits. I studied it all and went through hell there.
ANyway, 5 generations of family and always were taught never to live up there full time.
The Pomo are coming back! and I would not want to be there!
I am writing a book.
One flood will wash these pretentious yuppies out of our hair.
I think it’s great that the town is thriving with new restaurants. This town is one of the most beautiful pleases in the county. The old stigma is slowly going away.
“One flood will wash these pretentious yuppies out of our hair.”
I love it.
Tell me about it. Someone inherited a Monopoloy!
Pushed out WhiteTail after a few fights, and walla. Good luck Guerneville, “the dumping ground of Sonoma County”
Ever hear of River Rats? Well if you look through the windows at night, they don’t go away in those old buildings. Trust me, I suffered through ownership there. Would never do it again.