Oakland Tribune Outtakes

I’m going to have to start getting used to taking openings in stride after this weekend. Both Ave and Somar opened Saturday night on Telegraph Avenue, and Van Kleef’s was packed inside and out. They were about to start turning people away. It’s kind of a good sign that I’ve already started nagging about what Oakland doesn’t have — late night diners, infill between businesses, late night BART. Let me back up though. 
Ave’s sweet narrow room with art on the walls and a substantial bar near the kitchen was fuller than full Saturday night, the grand opening. Among the crowd were, of course, Mr. DTO510 and V-Smooth, she all glam in black skirt and high heels. Naturally Jonathan was not wearing heels or a skirt but looked very dapper nonetheless.  My own appearance was less than stellar but that’s another story. Co-owner Gairy Jacques of Air Lounge and soon to be Era was looking pretty relaxed for an opening night, which entailed some hectic moments inside.  We had some sort of mixup with our drinks, and my boyfriend (who sported a casual look) even got chided by a bartmaid for ordering twice although he hadn’t ordered twice. But the crew smoothed things out and we sipped our Manhattans, 7&Sevens and Stolis at a slender wood bar outside (genius!) with the beauty supply store that squats on the corner for a view.  It’s just a matter of time before that thing goes or (hope, hope) gets turned into a late-nite retro diner or something.  
A little way up the street, Somar was hosting its soft opening. The place was absolutely throbbing with loud club music and mostly  20-something Asian customers. Somar is slick (but the brick wall that lines the far side of the lounge keeps it cozy) and loungey with very friendly owners whose bartenders were slinging the drinks as fast they could pour ‘em. For the first time, I felt like I could have been on the path of a nightclub crawl like SoMa’s, which I am wondering has anything to do with the name Somar. The place went up quietly and still doesn’t have a sign but it won’t open officially for a couple weeks. Crews were working like maniacs trying to get ready for the soft opening: when I walked by Tuesday night they were out at about 10:30 p.m. sawing a big sheet of plywood. Now I understand why.
Ave at 20th and Tel put down some much-needed footprints in the still-dark north side of the Uptown lounge, extending the entertainment row to start linking up with the heart of the Art Murmur scene on the other side of West Grand  as well as Ozumo, Luka’s, etc. at West Grand and Broadway extending up to Mua and Z Cafe. Somar, meanwhile, in the old vitamin store building at 17th and Tel, brightened up the block and brought people out onto the streets. Even better, you could hear and see them from Broadway across the 19th Street BART walkway between Broadway and Telegraph.  If only the Fox had been lit up the scene would have been perfect.

Yes, that’s right. Another restaurant/bar is opening: 2022 Telegraph Ave., thus the name, I presume. You’d have to ask owners Gairy Jacques et al of Air Lounge fame to find out for sure.

This Friday is going to be off the hook. It’s not enough that the Fox Theater is finally opening Thursday (swoon). Friday night (here is a full calendar) Social Distortion is taking the stage, followed Saturday by Michael Franti and Spearhead. Then, (my heart is pouding) Lee “Scratch” Perry – the maddest baddest reggae Kingston King who taught Master Marley a thing or two about cranking up the bass, way way up – will be standing right there Feb. 20 on the stage of the Fox. So will B.B. King, the Emporer of Blues, who is not too hip in his elder years to have a Web site, in April. Oh wait. That is so not all (should I be this excited?). Feb. 6 also is the ever-expanding First Friday and you know what that means. Every gallery, bar, restaurant, lounge and cabaret will be getting in on the act. Flora is going to be flooded along with — I presume – the Uptown, Ozumo, Mua, Luka’s, B Restaurant, Air Lounge, Levende East and every other place (Arsimona, Air Lounge etc etc etc) within a two-mile radius will too. The artsy lounge in the works in the Art Murmur heartland (Broadway and West Grand) is not yet open but Sidebar will be opening its doors Friday for the first time under the new ownership. Meanwhile, Kimball’s on Washington and 2nd streets is expanding. They want to put out tables on Washington and serve lunch and dinner. And the Cock-a-Doodle Cafe at Washington and 8th is applying for a liquor license. Now if we can just get some hotels built around here we’d be looking pretty fancy.

Yes, that’s right. Levende East is opening a second place in Oakland (a third overall in the Bay Area). The new spot will be at 481 Ninth St., less than a block from its Washington Street restaurant/lounge. The city just approved the plans. Remember also that B Restaurant and Bar is teaming up with FIVEten Studio and another investor to open the danceable nightclub downtown, ERA. What financial crisis?

Oh Oaklanders, we are about to yet more nightlife in coming months. First, the owners of B Restaurant and Bar, Air lounge and FIVEten Studio are collaborating on a split-level art bar and gallery, ERA. Patrons will want to get out on the dancefloor because of the DJs who will spinning — some of them big-name hot shots.  Era is going to be slick enough to give San Francisco a run for its money, according to Kevin, co-founder of B. It also will be a welcome addition when it opens around January to the Broadway/Grand interesection just across the street at 19 and 21 Grand from Luka’s, Ozumo, Vo’s and the galleries, plus the new Bakesale Betty’s store. Not too far away, near the SEARS building on Telegraph is AVE, where the old Bear Cave is.

Someone blew out the flame on Dorsey’s Locker “Blue Candle” happy hour and spoken word special the club used to host twice monthly. The party’s over, at least for now.
But the “80s Party” is still on at Sweet’s Ballroom, 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. August 22. Admission is $30 but the winner of the $500 best dressed contest could chip in. 21+ only.  Too $hort is listed on flyers as a “special invited guest.” 
It’s Havanisimo every Saturday at La Taza de Cafe beginning with dinner served beginning 5 p.m and son Cubano featuring Cubanacan at 7 p.m.  Dance lessons are at 9:30 p.m. A DJ takes over at 10 p.m. 
The next day groove over to the Air Lounge for Jamboree Sundays, a chilled out drumming and drinks jam. The music is supposed to be salsa, merengue, soca, reggae and world beat.  And later — 7 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. –  to Soul Sundays at Arsimona.  (Thank you! Dancing on Sunday night!)