July 1, 2008

Another thing I noticed while gallivanting (read: barhopping) around Union Square last week: the bar formerly known as the ~RED ROOM~ in the Hotel Commodore (now a dormitory in the Academy of Art empire) has changed hands and has reopened. New look, new owners, and new name that I was asked to not mention juuuuuust yet. Gone is the redrum motif and twirling martini glass behind the bar: taking its place is more of a taupe color scheme, with taxidermy on the wall, vintage furnishings (including an animal print chaise), and some nice ladies behind the bar. I'll release the name of the bar and the players shortly. Open nightly 5pm–2am. 827 Sutter St. at Jones.

Buddy Camper English of Alcademics.com has confirmation on the rumor circling about New York's ~EMPLOYEES ONLY~ opening an SF location; owner Dushan Zaric has this to say, "We are currently not working on a SF Employees Only although it is in our plans to eventually open up an EO there...a lot of people have been asking but I have no idea how they got this information." Thanks for sleuthing, Camper!

Fans of suds, here's your chance to celebrate the 20th anniversary of ~GORDON BIERSCH~ beer, and for a week, no joke. There are all kinds of events (a few of the events are in Palo Alto and San Jose for you 650 and 408 folks), so for additional information and to purchase VIP tickets, visit www.gordonbierschrestaurant.com. Here's a recap of a couple of the events:

July 6th: Anniversary Brewer's Dinner hosted by Dan Gordon, 6pm–8pm, San Francisco Brewery Restaurant, 2 Harrison St., $60 per person. Cocktail reception and special anniversary toast, special beer and food tastings.

July 12th: Brewery Benefit Bash, 12pm–7pm, an all-you-can-eat and drink party for thousands of Bay Area residents at the original brewery and bottling facility in San Jose. Guests at the daylong celebration will munch on food, sip beer, and enjoy live music from Gregg Rolie. Tickets are $40, with proceeds benefiting the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.