We just got off the phone with All-Star Sports Bar Operations Manager Joe Potts, who announced that they held a “soft opening” on Wednesday night (Mar. 3), and are now officially “open for business.”
How does one successfully launch a “soft opening” you ask? Simple – turn on the “Open” sign. Maybe call or text some friends. And wait. Joe reports that they had a steady stream of 20-30 customers all day, topping out around 80 before they ran out of “training liquor.”
And all that was without any real publicity. A good sign for a new business in our opinion. And seeing how this is the second new restaurant to open in Des Moines, we say things are definitely starting to look up around here.
All-Star’s hours are 11am – 2am seven days a week, and despite not yet having a full menu, they’ll be serving pizzas this weekend.
The “soft opening” continues today, and the bar is definitely open, so this might be a good time to help “train” their staff by dropping in, bellying up and ordering something; just don’t forget to tip your local server.
Expect a big “grand opening” on Thursday, March 18th, when ESPN Radio announcers Brock and Salk will make an appearance for a March Madness basketball promotion. Be sure to check The Waterland Blog often, as we’ll be posting more news as we receive it.
Joe says they’ll start serving their full menu sometime towards the middle of next week – but here’s an exclusive sneak peek at it so you can start planning your order:
To download a PDF of All-Star’s menu, click here.
The Waterland Blog stopped by All-Star Sports bar last Friday for an update on their countdown to opening. Operations Manager Joe Potts told us they’re “still targeting the Winter Olympics for the grand opening, but it may not be for the opening ceremonies.”
The dark hardwood floors have been laid. The walls are painted a dark blue and deep red. The tables, chairs and barstools have arrived and are stacked all over the place. This week the large screen TV’s will arrive and will be installed.
“Once the bar is finished, we can move the furniture around and take delivery of the pool tables and golf games,” Potts said.
And for those readers asking about employment know that the first team of 14 employees have been hired. Potts is still accepting applications for future employment – you can email your resume to potts2000@hotmail.com or call him at 206-212-6740.
Story by Janet Grella
Photos by Michael Brunk
We’ve all watched the China Seas Restaurant morph into the All Star Sports Bar, but the big question on the minds of Des Moines residents and sports fans throughout the area is:
“When is All Star going to open?”
According to operations manager Joe Potts: “I usually tell people 30 days from the day someone asks me (that question).”
Would that put the opening date as January 17th then?
Not exactly.
Joe hopes that their opening will be no later than the Vancouver Winter Olympics. That would be February 12, 2010. They hope to be open before that, but in the past they had hoped to be open for football season, then the Superbowl, but the Olympics is a safe bet.
Potts also adds “Powell Brothers (A Waterland Blog Advertiser) and Todd Powell have been great to work with. The city has been great to work with. But in my experience I have learned that ‘remodeling’ a house is sometimes more challenging than building a house.”
Transforming the old China Seas from the ‘blight on the corner’ to All Star started when owner Jim Fullerton, general manager Justin Edwards and Potts met with Dr. Scott Andrews regarding his vision and mission for the rebuilding of Des Moines. They found they were all on the same page, and promptly signed a lease on the property. It is All Star’s mission to be a “Pillar in the community of Des Moines and display a sense of community through deeds and sponsorships,” according to Joe.
Des Moines' Powell Brothers has been helping with the renovations.
Long time friends Fullerton, Potts and Edwards all live in Des Moines. Edwards is a Des Moines native, and attended Pacific Middle School and is a Mt. Rainier grad. A few years back, they would convene at China Seas to enjoy indoor sports (pool and ping pong) as well as televised sports. They agreed one day they would own a sports bar. That day draws near.
“We plan to use the newest of high tech gaming entertainment, plus some old stand-bys” said Edwards, including:
- 20 Large Screen TVs
- Two Golden Tee Golf Games
- Darts
- Two Pool Tables (Spring tournament session starts in February)
- High tech Juke Box which will take both debit and credit cards
- Entertainment on weekends: DJ Friday and Live Bands on Saturday
- Fireball
- Real Time Fantasy Stats for the Fantasy players
- Ping Pong table from the old China Seas (the only fixture they saved)
- Free WiFi
All Star Sports Bar will be open from 11am to 2am everyday.
Edwards also tells WLB that “we’ll do for individual-sized gourmet pizza what the Dog House has done for hot dogs.” Other food will include sandwiches, salad and appetizers. They’ll be open for lunch and dinner and events like the Olympics, March Madness, and if we’re lucky the Superbowl!
Know your All Stars: Of the three main guys we learned that Fullerton is a computer programmer and will keep his day job. Potts has had a career in Food and Beverage Services on the corporate side with Holland America and Edwards has spent 12 years as a bartender where he’s developed some pretty incredible drinks that he’ll be sharing with All Star bartenders.
All Star plans to be open from 11 am-2 am everyday, including holidays. There will be ‘no cover-no time.’ They plan to stay a step ahead of other sports bars by offering service, atmosphere and hospitality.
Keep up with All Star’s countdown to opening with The Waterland Blog – in the coming weeks we’ll be sharing their specialized drink menu and food menu – and finally will announce the much awaited opening.
The Waterland Blog has learned from a top secret, well-placed inside source that the Seafair Pirates will be “raiding” Des Moines’ own Butler Bar and Grill on Saturday night (July 18th) after the big 50th Birthday/Waterland Parade, ’round 8pm.
Expect a riotous and raucous evening as they’ll be up to their usual pirate schtick.
You see there’s all sorts of new happenings at Butler Bar and Grill in Des Moines. Can we talk happy hour, new menu, karaoke, trivia nights and more?
Butler’s has a really fun Happy Hour that stretches from Monday to Saturday with great prices on beer, wine and wells. Plus you’ll enjoy some really great bar food with all the grease and cheese needed to make good bar food.
Happy Hour specials are available from 3:30-6. You and your party can enjoy
- $2 Off Well Drinks
- $2.50 Coors Light Pints & $3.00 House Wines
…and some great appetizers including:
- Sliders ‘n’ Fries
- Chipotle Chicken Wings
- Dusted Calamari
- Nachos
- Garlic Styx
- Tacos
Plus Butlers has some really cool mixed drinks such as “The Butler Did It“, and “Butler Tickler” just to name a few intriguing concoctions.
Mike Colello of Butler Bar & Grill
Owner Mike Colello sat down with The Waterland Blog recently to explain how Butler’s is his dream come true. Mike formed the idea for Butler’s in 1998. His idea was to create and “upscale American Pub” to fill a niche in the Des Moines community. Mike added that “the city has embraced us. We are very excited and proud to be the focus of things to come in Des Moines.” Mike went on to explain that the “staff and attitude” of Butlers is his vision and the décor is his partners, Scott Andrews, vision (the neon art, which you won’t find anywhere else in South King County).
Going into the food business was not suprising to those who know Mike. He grew up helping his father Bo Colello sell produce at the Pike Place Market.
Butler opened its doors in Des Moines in October of 2007. Butler can be enjoyed by folks from all age groups, but as the night wears on, Butlers turns its focus to the mid-30 crowd, with Karaoke on Friday and Saturday nights starting at 10 pm-close (around 2 am).
And then there’s Thursday Night Trivia starting at 7:30 pm. It’s $2 a team to enter and special Butler Gift Cards are awarded to weekly winners.
Back by popular demand is Monday Night Spaghetti that includes Delicious Homemade Spaghetti & Meatballs, served with green salad and garlic bread for $12.95.
A month or so ago, Mike told WLB that he was going to develop a menu that “works for this town.” And he’s got it – check this out Des Moines: BBQ’d ribs, fettuccini, steak salad, an array of sandwiches and burgers cooked to a turn, salads both small and large (read the entire menu here).
Butler Bar & Grill is located at 22341 Marine View Drive South.
When The Waterland Blog launched our new Des Moines community website in February we knew we needed to have a fundraiser for the Des Moines Food Bank, and we knew it had to be at Butler Bar and Grill. Why? Because it’s a cool spot in the middle of the Marina District. Over $600 was raised on April Fool’s Day in our “No Foolin Fundraiser,” and we became great friends with Mike, his team and the city and businesses of Des Moines.
We proudly welcome Butler Bar and Grill to our growing Advertising roster, and encourage our readers, who aren’t in the parade to watch the parade from Butler Bar and Grill on the Waterland Parade route this Saturday July 18.
Butler Bar and Grill is located at 22341 Marine View Drive South in Des Moines, in the spot once occupied by the historic Butler Garage.
You can call ahead for reservations 206-429-3709, or learn more at their website.
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Thursday afternoon (4/30), after being shuttered for 17 days, the doors were unlocked, beer taps flowed, locals drank, ate and laughed and it was business as usual again at Des Moines’ trendy Butler Bar and Grill, located at 22341 Marine View Drive South.
As we first reported April 16th, Butler was closed by King County Sheriff’s Officers, who papered over the windows and posted an eviction notice. After an official hearing the following week, bar owner Mike Colello came to terms with building owner Scott Andrews and re-opened today.
On a personal note, we here at The Waterland Blog are very happy to see this hip, neon-drenched watering hole re-open, as we truly enjoy the atmosphere, historic signs and staff, and had a very successful “No Foolin’ Fundraiser” (where we raised nearly $600) for the Des Moines Food Bank on April 1st.
Here are some photos of this afternoon’s re-opening by talented Photographer Michael Brunk:
| Apr ’09 |
| 1 |
| 6:00 pm |
We’re having our first-ever “No Foolin’ Fundraiser” Blog Party on Wednesday, April 1st (appropriately it’s April Fool’s Day) at Butler Bar & Grill, and it’s going to serve as a fundraiser for the Des Moines Food Bank.
You’re invited to come – just bring two cans or boxes of non-perishable food (or $5 cash) as your donation to help feed some hungry neighbors.
Here are the details:
WHAT: The Waterland Blog’s “No Foolin’ Fundraiser” for the Des Moines Food Bank
WHEN: Wednesday, April 1st, from 6pm on
WHERE: Butler Bar & Grill, located at 22341 Marine View Drive South in Des Moines (map below); phone: (206) 429-3709
COST: 2 (or more) cans or boxes of non-perishable food items, or $5 cash donation
Some of the evening’s fun will include:
- We’ll be demonstrating this here blog by doing “Live Blogging”
- Meet the staff of The Waterland Blog!
- Fun, friends and most importantly…Fundraising for the Des Moines Food Bank!
Please spread the word by forwarding this page, and/or downloading a PDF of our poster, printing and posting it around town.
We hope to see you there!
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