98 Bottles

A 98 Bottles Wedding Makes National News!

2013-10-08T18:26:00.001-07:00

On Sunday 98 Bottles hosted a wedding reception for Dana and Brian, the two brave lovebirds who refused to let the federal government ruin their wedding day.

Government shut down didn't stop these two!

Bride, Groom & guests watch news coverage

For over a year they had planned to say their vows at their favorite spot in Yosemite National Park and then host a party for friends and family two days later at 98 Bottles. Dana had dreamed of getting married at the top of Glacier Point since she was 8-years-old, but then the unthinkable happened...last Monday the government was shut down including all national parks. So despite the $5,000 deposit they put down, they were told their wedding could not take place.

Being a surgical nurse, Dana is no stranger to challenges. So once she recovered from the reeling news, she and Brian packed up and headed to Yosemite anyway. None of the vendors they had hired at Yosemite were willing to take a chance of losing their park privileges so the daring duo, with close friends and family to help, moved barricades from the parking lot and got married at the spot of their dreams! Their efforts were highlighted on The Today Show, Good Morning America and Channel 10 news.

The video clips of the ceremony and news coverage was a highlight at the 98 Bottles party Sunday. What a blast! Good for you guys! Such an auspicious beginning bodes really well for a long, happy life together. Thank you for sharing it with us.

A Very Lucky Day

2013-09-14T15:53:00.002-07:00

9/13/13

Who says Friday the 13^th is an unlucky day? Today has actually been the luckiest of days with many wonderful signs. On the way to work a profound message on the car next to mine... “Change lives, start with your own.” WOW! Amazing advice and so true. At Starbucks the friendliest, most helpful barista who really knew her customers by name and by their favorite coffee drink. I told her, "it’s a great barista who knows her customers.” She told me she had lost her job with the county and ended up having to work at Starbucks. She said at first it was really hard because she had never had to do that kind of work before, even when working her way through school. But, she said now she sees her job as a blessing because she is able to "truly connect" with people, something she said "you can never do when going about your normal life." And, she told me the work keeps her really busy which keeps her “in the moment.” WOW – so profound. I told her she was blessed to be aware of such a state of mind and that clearly that is why she is so happy. She told me I made her day…but she is the one who made mine! On the way home I passed a taxi, name on the cab was “New Life”. Could there be a more clear sign of being on the right path? Friday the 13th...a truly lucky day.

98 Bottles App

2013-08-29T22:47:00.002-07:00

It's official, we now have a free 98 Bottles app available for iPhone and Android! It's really exciting...there's all kinds of cool content and we're still building more. Some of the features include:

Car Locator to help you know when your meter's up and also help you find your car if you forgot where you parked
Call a Cab feature
Tip Calculator
QR code download
Beer 101 & Wine 101 with interesting facts and info
Fan Wall
Staff info
98 Bottles Event info
98 Bottles Rental info
Direct connection to our instagram

Plus, we can send you instant push notifications for special offers and events. Check it out...download it...it's free!

Sunday FUN DAY

2013-06-18T21:38:00.000-07:00

This week we're excited to launch Sunday FUN-DAY 98 Bottles style.

Starting this Sunday June 23 we'll be open every Sunday from noon to 6pm with BOTTOMLESS MIMOSAS, Bellinis, Ballast Point Bloody Marys, great craft beer, fun wine and free live acoustic music in the Lower Lounge and Painting & Vino or a music event in The Back Room.

Check our website calendar for details.

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

How Do You Know When You Drank Too Much?

2013-06-01T21:03:00.000-07:00

How Do You Know When You Drank Too Much? This Bergenbier Beer commercial says it all...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_a3oY1ND_8&feature=player_embedded#!

CURB APPEAL

2013-05-25T17:53:00.000-07:00

98 Bottles is all spruced up and ready for summer. Come by and check out our cozy outdoor patios. The weather is beautiful and it's time to party.

Patios are dog-friendly so bring along your furry friends.

THE OVERVIEW EFFECT

2013-05-15T21:59:00.001-07:00

When we're bogged down with the daily hassles of life, we tend to lose our perspective. No one knows that better than a small business owner. We end up focusing all of our attention on the never ending small and insignificant things that demand our attention and we forget to see the beautiful interconnectedness of all things. Apparently a trip to outer space changes all of that in an instant. For 40 years, astronauts from all over the world have reported something called the Overview Effect, a cognitive shift in awareness that occurs after seeing Earth from space. Check it out:

http://vimeo.com/55073825

HOW BEER SAVED THE WORLD

2013-05-11T15:24:00.001-07:00

Next time you come in for a cold one, you can feel good about the fact that you are consuming a historically vital liquid that, according to one documentarian, literally saved the world. Check it out…

http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/how-beer-saved-the-world/

An Ode to the 98 Bottles Staff

2013-05-04T17:05:00.000-07:00

It takes a village, not just to raise a child, but to run a business. Every employee’s part is essential to the success or failure of any operation. When you have exactly the right mix of people it all just works magically. In a small business this reality is amplified tenfold by the simple fact that there are less people to do all the work. So everyone’s whole-hearted participation is key. There is nothing more beautifully inspiring than gathering together a group of highly capable people, offering a little guidance, and then letting them loose to create while you stand back and watch the whole thing come alive. At 98 Bottles we are blessed to have the most amazing staff. We are small but we are mighty! Every single employee is unique and interesting, smart and motivated, funny and kind. Our amazing kitchen staff manages to consistently put out delicious and beautifully presented food every single day, even when we are slammed with up to 80 guests who all arrive at the same time for shows in The Back Room. Our server/bartending staff (who most of you know as the men in plaid) provide the very best customer service because they truly care about the people they serve. Each and every one of them has their own distinctive personality and style and we are so proud of all of them. So this is an ode to the 98 Bottles staff. Thank you for all you do every day to help make 98 Bottles a success. You guys are awesome-you make coming to work a pleasure!

A Dream Come True

2013-04-24T21:32:00.003-07:00

One of the greatest joys of owning 98 Bottles is knowing that in some small way we make a difference in people's lives. We feel blessed that In less than two years of being in business, we have hosted two marriage proposals, bridal showers, engagement parties, weddings, countless birthday parties, worthy fund raising events and many, many other wonderful celebrations.

Recently Steve got this email from Ilene Moyse that just blew us all away:

Mark and I met online in January 2012. I had seen a lot of my Facebook friends post about taking your Tap on Tap class 98 Bottles. I had such good memories of dancing with you at San Diego Jr. Theater in Crazy for You and Bye Bye Birdie. Mark had mentioned that he was also in a production of Crazy for You in high school, although not in a dancing role. I invited Mark to come with me to Tap on Tap for our first date. I knew he also grew up singing and doing musical theater, although he fully admits dancing is not his strong point. We had a fantastic time and Mark was such a good sport about the tap dancing even though he had zero experience. The activities you have at 98 Bottles are so great because there is zero pressure to do anything but have fun.

In early February of this year Mark proposed to me on the USC campus outside of the Los Angeles a capella festival. We will be getting married on June 30 in Las Vegas. We love 98 Bottles for bringing us together!

When we started this business we dreamed of bringing people together in a setting that promotes conversation, new friendships and fun...looks like our dream is coming true. Thank you Ilene & Mark and a sincere thank you to all of you who have chosen to share your very special moments with us. That is a gift and a blessing...truly!

THE BACK ROOM gets a facelift

2013-04-19T15:51:00.000-07:00

Since we're ever striving to improve and grow, we decided it was time for THE BACK ROOM to get a facelift.

When we opened it seemed like a great idea to put the THE BACK ROOM performance area in the corner and it worked pretty well for the past year or so, but we kept thinking there had to be a better configuration.

So last weekend we moved the performance space to the back wall, repositioned the sound board, rearranged

the tables and chairs, added a real stage and VOILA...it's a brand new BACK ROOM. Check it out.

Thanks to Andrew for rearranging and improving the sound, Jake for moving the electrics and Joe for building the stage...you guys are awesome!

The Blues on FIRE!

2013-04-11T10:39:00.002-07:00

Sunday night 98 Bottles rocked the roof off with Nashville blues band Andy T and Nick Nixon. The house was small but the energy could have ignited a forest fire! Damn those guys were great!

It's always harder to generate a large audience for out of town bands, but we're taking the chance anyway, and it is totally worth it for bands as stellar as this one. We hope to bring them back on a weekend night sometime soon. So, watch the calendar an DO NOT MISS THEM the next time. If you do, it will most definitely be your loss.

98 Bottles in the news

2013-03-29T23:25:00.002-07:00

98 Bottles hosted two events this week that brought lots of media coverage.

On Sunday March 24 we hosted a fund raising event for San Diego Repertory Theatre. They are raising money for a new show called Federal Jazz Project that opens April 6. It's inspired by trumpet virtuoso Gilbert Castellanos, a favorite of 98 Bottles Back Room music goers. For 15 years Castellanos has hosted jazz jam sessions around town in warehouses and clubs and his work inspired Culture Clash's Richard Montoya to write a play about the San Diego jazz scene.

KUSI news broadcast live from 98 Bottles at the event:
http://tinyurl.com/blp6h52

On Wednesday March 27 we hosted San Diego's Most Stylish Man Fashion Show put on by VIXEN. With live art, DJ, fashion show and pop-up shopping it was an amazing night of fun. It brought out all of San Diego's brightest and best dressed.

The Pulse was there to cover the event:
http://tinyurl.com/cddwczj

Can't believe it's Spring

2013-03-20T20:03:00.000-07:00

"Time flies when you're having fun"... if that old adage is true then we must be delirious! How can it already be spring with April just around the corner?!? It literally seems like just yesterday we were building the downstairs bar, choosing Halloween movies to show in the lower lounge, booking Christmas parties and planning New Year's Eve. It's been a great 2013 so far. We are constantly blown away with how many loyal customers come to see us every single week, their love and support is astounding! Thursday night trivia is booming with more and more teams every week and The Back Room has been consistently hopping with amazing music. We have hosted so many birthday, anniversary, retirement, engagement parties, weddings and other milestone parties this past year. Sharing those special moments with all of you has been an honor. Clearly we are moving beyond the infancy stage and it feels great. So here's a shout out to all of you who have made this 98 Bottles adventure a truly poignant and wonderful experience.

A Picture is Worth 1,000 Words

2012-06-27T20:53:00.000-07:00

BEFORE

AFTER

The Devil is in The Details

2012-06-17T19:46:00.002-07:00

After a near disaster (a story we MIGHT share over a cold one sometime) the new bar top is complete (left) and the outdoor patio railings are installed. Thursday we passed our final Health Department inspection...all HUGE milestones. Now we face a long laundry list of things we have to get done before the second bar is fully operational.

The devil truly IS in the details!

Still, we're getting closer every single day! We will be closed July 1,2,3 & 4 to install the new storefront and then open the downstairs bar shortly thereafter. Our Grand Opening is targeted for early August... stop by for a beer and flatbread and check out our progress!

OH SHIT don't tell OSHA!

2012-06-09T22:24:00.001-07:00

Safe construction best practices:

You can't make these types of cuts using the RIGHT tool."

Hindsight is 20-20

I SEE A BAR, WHAR? OVER THAR!

2012-05-28T20:30:00.001-07:00

Well kids things are really coming along! All of the plumbing is in place AND approved and the bar has been framed out. All that's left for that portion of the project is the finishing decor touches which should be accomplished by the end of the week. Then we just need to order bar refrigeration and stools, get them in place and then final inspections next week! Our goal is to complete the entire project (new bar, new storefront and outdoor patio) by mid July. And so far (keep your fingers crossed) we are right on target!

We will be closed just a couple of Tuesdays, May 29, June 5 and July 3 & 4 (holiday) but other than that we are OPEN DURING RENOVATIONS! Come on by and check out our progress!

Our friend Eric who came all the way from Sacramento to help! What a prince!

Back to the Grind

2012-05-20T15:03:00.000-07:00

The floor plumbing for the new bar is in and approved, so now it's back to the grind. Chris is once again grinding away this time making the metal frame for the bar. The question is, which is worse, metal spray in the face or in the crouch? Look at the photos and you be the judge.

Don't anyone call OSHA!

This time at least we forced him to put on glasses, but he still didn't wear gloves, or sleeves for that matter.

Either way, he'd better be careful, remember what happened last time he was grinding metal? (see August 26, 2011 blogpost - photo below)

Hole-y Crap!

2012-05-12T22:08:00.000-07:00

Projects are ALWAYS ten times harder than they appear, especially when you're dealing with a 100 year old building. Who would think that ALL the cinder block in this building would be filled solid with concrete, not hollow as any reasonable person would expect cinder block to be (that must be the way they did things back in the day... guess things really aren't made the way they used to be). So this week Chris and John tied their bandanas and went to work drilling the holes to run the plumbing. Using a 50-pound core driller meant to be used vertically into the ground, they shouldered the damn thing and drilled through 8 inches of solid concrete managing somehow to operate the "Rambo" machine gun-like tool from the shoulder. They finally managed to blast through the concrete creating the holes you see in this pic. Now we're ready to lay the pipes for plumbing. We're hoping to have all the pipes laid next week for mid-term plumbing inspection shortly thereafter. Once the plumbing goes in we can start concentrating on building the bar. Once the bar is done we can focus on the interior decor and finally the new store front and outdoor patio. Once we are done, we will all drink...heavily. It all takes more time than you expect (of course) but we're still hoping for mid to late June completion. Oh, and the smiley face on the wall... that was Chris and John's way to show how happy they were to finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. :-)=

In The Trenches

2012-05-05T21:12:00.001-07:00

We got final Health Department approval to add our new bar and so the process begins!

One day of saw cutting which almost suffocated John THE MAN Heger (best plumber ever) & our beloved Chris with CO2 fumes AND created a literal river of mud in the Lower Lounge!) Next, a day of jack hammering and we finally reached dirt (which in our case is clay requiring a bit more jack hammering). Hope to have the street level bar up and operational by mid June...but don't forget we're open during the renovation, jack hammering by day, serving beer & wine by night. We're having some fun now!

Business As Usual

2012-05-02T13:54:00.001-07:00

It's still business as usual at 98 Bottles, even as we begin our remodel. We're maintaining our normal business hours (plus opening for a few extra Sunday events), and handling a lot of the current grunt work behind the scenes and after hours.

Still, you may have noticed a few small pieces of evidence that the building phase will begin soon...Exhibits A & B (notice the ladder and tape outlined on our floors):

But what's most important is still intact...Exhibit C:

Even during the planning phase, construction, and up to our official unveiling, 98 Bottles remains intact. We're still your friendly, neighborhood bar with an impeccable drink selection and delicious dinner menu--and soon enough, we'll be your greatly improved friendly, neighborhood bar, with an outdoor patio and an even better space to boot!

Our Stamp Collection

2012-04-26T22:37:00.001-07:00

No, we’re not turning into philatelists, those are the folks who collect the lovable, lick-able postage stamps issued by the post office. We’re just trying to collect the multitude of city and county approval “stamps” required on our architectural drawings before we can begin construction. They can be as difficult to obtain as a special edition 1 cent stamp from the earliest days of the USPS. So that you might benefit from our learning experience (should you ever decide to build or permit something) here are a few “stamp collecting” tips:

Here are the 4 stamps we've collected so far

THE EARLY BIRD GETS THE WORM - Show up at the city planning office early, 15 minutes before they open is best. You want to get the planners while they are still in good spirits before they’ve been crushed by cubical claustrophobia and inundated with general contractors, architects and engineers. Besides, for every hour after opening you show up, you’ll probably have to wait three times as long to get your turn at the counter.

GO INTO YOUR SONG & DANCE – You can’t just present your plans you have to SELL them! The truth is you are awarded or NOT awarded the coveted stamps sometimes based, in large part, on the whims of the planners you happen to get at the counter. In fact, after a few rounds of “when did she tell you this?” and “why did he tell you that?” one of the planners readily confessed, “at least we’re consistent in our inconsistencies!”

MANNERS COUNT – The people behind the counter may hold all the power but don’t forget that they are still people. They appreciate a friendly smile and a sincere hello and a self-deprecating demeanor. Anyone who has been through the permitting process knows this. That’s why you will see even the most seasoned architect or the burliest contractor act like humbled, bashful kids when they show up to the counter vying for their stamps.

DON’T GIVE UP OR GIVE IN – Part of the battle is being insistent, YOU know that what you want to do makes sense, your job is to convince THEM.

We have followed all these handy tips and STILL we sit waiting to get four more stamps needed to complete our collection. Here is one more tip; you have to go in order. In our case, CCDC’s waiting on Mechanical and Plumbing, Mechanical and Plumbing is waiting on Health and Health has put us off for a few days because of other “minor” projects ahead of us. Hopefully by early next week we will have the whole thing “licked!”

To Our Health

2012-04-21T14:02:00.000-07:00

Well, we submitted our plans to the Health Department this week and now we wait. Hopefully no more than 7-10 days, then we’re off to get city approval and the final stage of the build out begins! Keep your fingers crossed that we don’t run into too many snags. We’re tying into all new plumbing that we put in a few months ago so that shouldn't’ be too complicated or raise any red flags, still when you’re dealing with local government bureaucracy, you never know! We’re really getting excited to see the project take shape. The feedback we’ve gotten from everyone has been super positive. If all goes according to plan, in about 8 weeks you’ll be able to come by and enjoy a beer or glass of wine on our new outdoor patio, play a game on our new bar shuffleboard or just hang out in our newly remodeled digs. It’s been the support of all of you that has gotten us this far so we know what a difference it makes to have everyone pulling for us. So keep your fingers crossed and say a toast To Our Health!

Final Phase (Here We Go Again!)

2012-04-10T21:54:00.000-07:00

In a couple of weeks we’ll be under construction again with the FINAL PHASE of our build-out. We’ve been open 7 months now so it’s time to finish what we started. This phase involves adding another bar in the Lower Lounge, opening up the storefront and adding two outdoor patios. We’ll also be extending the Back Room by building a wall at the top of the stairs and opening up the wall behind the existing bar so you’ll be able to watch live music and other entertainment from the bar. Luckily this construction does not require near as much drawing and permitting as the original build-out so we should be done by early to mid-June. And since WE'LL BE OPEN DURING CONSTRUCTION, the whole process shouldn’t be too disruptive. When it’s done we’ll have a great neighborhood bar space downstairs (complete with bar shuffleboard) and an enhanced Back Room entertainment/event space. Here are a couple of drawings of what it will look like. Stop in and let us know what you think!