Newsy Bits: Seven Grand Opens, Uptown Tavern Coming Soon and more

So it seems that our little world just keeps on growing. A few months ago I was approached about a new bar opening in North Park that would possibly need some help booking. I was never really pursued further and I understand that they had some delays in getting all of their permits, but it appears that Seven Grand is finally open. The whiskey bar is located at 3054 University Avenue (formerly Bacchus House). They'll host live music, though it isn't clear just how frequently as yet. (Family Wagon performs tonight.) The bar has three active licenses with the California Department of Alcohol Beverage Control: a Type 48- onsale general public premises, Type 58- a caterer permit, and Type 66- controlled cabinet access permit, and it appears that the live music would be covered under that Type 48. The bar, which also has a location in Los Angeles, boasts an extensive list (Whiskey/Bourbon/Rye/Scotch, etc), ranging in prices from $7 for your standard Jim Beam or Wild Turkey to the most expensive option, a $64 pour of 15 year old Pappy Van Winkle, as well as craft cocktails ($10) and craft beers ($4-$8). The bar is open seven days a week from 8pm until 2am.

Across neighborhoods, the owners behind West Coast Tavern are busy in preparations for their newest endeavor, Uptown Tavern, which will open later this month in Hillcrest in the former location of Sushi Ono. David Cohen tells me that they're expecting to open on July 16 and it will be similar to West Coast Tavern in North Park, with Chef Eli Freebairn building the menu.

Lastly, while everyone spreads doom and gloom about record stores closing, it would seem that San Diego is incubating record stores like we incubate craft beer. The latest addition to vinyl specialty shops has opened. Groovy Records, owned and operated by Steve Kader, who has long been a part of the scene as a musician and talent buyer, celebrated the opening over the weekend. The store is on the corner of Park and Robinson, at that kinda awkward five point intersection. Drop by and check out the shop, and if you're a local band, Steve is the guy you want to bug about playing Adams Avenue Street Fair.

GROOVY RECORDS
San Diego's Best & Newest Selection Of Used/Collectible LP's, 45's, etc
TEL# 619-542-0597
Hours: Tues To Sat 11am-6pm/Sun 12pm-5pm
3749 Park Blvd (corner of Robinson) Hillcrest-San Diego, CA 92103

In searching information for this post, I also discovered that Budoir closed for good a few months ago. Can't say I didn't see that coming.

The Propagandist Declares #DowntownSucks

 Earlier this week, I had the pleasure of visiting The Propagandist. The bar is downtown, a couple doors away from Analog and is attempting to bring something different to the area in a broad concept they're calling "A Town Hall". Run by Brian Divine and his wife, Jessica, the basement bar hopes to be something fresh in the area. Of course, a lot of spots open with a "no douchebag" goal and sooner or later, the bar is overrun anyway, but The Propagandist appears to be faithful to that spirit with goals of hosting live music and local art and being available as a community  resource, whether that means being a meeting space, a place to network among like-minded people, or just a refuge from the typical downtown scene.

The bar has been operational since Halloween of 2011, but they wanted to get everything in order before an official grand opening. They hired Audio Design to essentially match the soundsystem at the Casbah and in February they hosted a live show to test run the sound.

The bar is long and open, with a DJ booth on the right wall and five large booths along its side. On the left wall is the simple bar, with a craft cocktail menu of tasty muddled fruit and elixirs, though they also have PBRs and other beers and wells starting at $6. The floorspace is filled with movable salvaged church pews and tables made from reused lumber.

Brian invited several people down to check out the digs, so while I was there, it was nice to hang with Mario Escovedo, Tim Pyles, and Mike Halloran. Brian gave us a tour of the full space and I've got to say, that green room is gonna be the site of some good band shenanigans.

This Saturday, you can celebrate the official Grand Opening of the Propagandist. The Donkeys are performing and you can check out the new spot for yourself. More photos after the jump.

So long, O'Connell's; Welcome The Griffin

(photo courtesy Mitchell Compton)
Last year I wrote that O'Connell's was closing and supported the rumor that the bar was to become "Saints and Sinners". Apparently at the last minute, the buyers pulled out and the bar remained open as O'Connell's. Judging by their lack of updates on their site and fanfare-free booking, it would seem the owners couldn't wait to sell. I don't remember when they actually closed their doors, but I'm happy that the bar was finally purchased and has been transformed into The Griffin (no relation to the one in Vegas).

I started seeing Facebook posts a few weeks ago from an old high school friend and got curious. He's one of the partners with some buddies and they've been more or less gutting the place. Finally all their work is ready for the big reveal and tomorrow is the soft-opening. The bar has the same type of license (License 48) and will have live music, DJs, and a jukebox.

For the soft opening, they'll have hosted food and drinks from 6-9pm and live music by Matt Commerce and DJ W. Steele. You have to RSVP, so check out the Facebook Event listing. After the party's over (and when the booze stops being free), you can still hang out and see Wild Mountain Honey, a Steve Miller tribute band.

The Griffin is located at 1310 Morena Blvd. Their site has just a splash page for now, but you can check them out at Reverb Nation and Facebook.