by Debbi | May 21, 2009 | Off the Wall
This isn't exciting, breaking news, and it's sort of old, but we have a fancy table in the back room now, to go along with our fancy benches.
Since Dave built the table and benches, it's easy to understand why they're tall. He tends to build things for his size, not regular-person size. He also likes the seating height so when he's behind the bar, he can see the people in the back room.
So now we have this lovely triangular shaped table that fits perfectly into the corner of the seating in the back room. What a great place to set your drinks, huh?
by Debbi | Mar 14, 2009 | Off the Wall
Check out our new addition hanging from the ceiling above the fish tank:
A big thank you to Brother Pants, who scored this banner for a very reasonable price.
Our big 20-year anniversary/birthday party will be held the weekend of July 31-August 1 this summer, so save the date on your calendar.
by Debbi | Mar 10, 2009 | Off the Wall
Not too long ago, Dave added some fancy new bench seating in the back room at The Sandbar. They weren't quite finished when I published the first picture- and still aren't totally done- but check out the latest (no models posing on the bench in this picture, sorry):
He closed off the area underneath the benches and also closed in the step area (which is a good thing, as I nearly tripped and fell when I got my foot caught on the unfinished ledge). He's planning to use the underside as a storage area for excess bar stuff, like toilet paper and straws and drink toys. Pretty sure there won't be any extra alcohol stored under there!
And if that wasn't enough, check out the other new bench that is currently in the back room, courtesy of our Landshark Lager rep:
Pretty cool, huh? It will eventually make it's way upstairs to the beach, where it seems like the perfect thing to hang out on while dipping your toes in our fine white sand and staring longingly at the beach mural on the wall. If you close your eyes, you can pretend you're on a real beach…
by Debbi | Mar 7, 2009 | Bar Band, Off the Wall
The Bar Band is a pretty important part of The Sandbar during football and basketball season. In the original post about the beginning of this group, I said I didn't know how long the band had been around- that mystery has been solved.
In our attempt to chronicle some of the colorful things that adorn our walls, I uploaded a picture of a bar band from long ago to our Facebook page and asked for help. Almost immediately, nearly every person in the picture was identified and "tagged," and comments started rolling in.
This picture is of the original Bar Band, and it hangs on the lower wall in between the door and the bar. As you can see, it's been on the wall for quite some time. According to Randy, this group was started in the fall of 1996 by Chad, who was either a bartender at The Sandbar at the time, or became one later, I'm not sure.
Chad said that the group's motto was "What time is it? Beer:30." They tried to keep their mission simple- they traveled around to three or four bars the night before football games to try to get people excited.
The first few times they played at The Sandbar, they actually stood outside the bar and played into the open door. One night they walked up, and Peach and Ted told them to "Get on the bar!"
Ever since then, the bar band has been a welcome addition to the nights before a game. The band members cram into every possible space, including on top of the bar and on the benches. We buy them each a beer to show our appreciation, and then they go on their merry way to the next bar.
by Debbi | Mar 3, 2009 | Off the Wall
Or, in other words, the bartenders are hot.
Sweaty-hot, not the other kind of hot.
After spending one too many nights slaving and sweating behind the bar on a busy night, Dave decided to install a fan above the door. Joe mentioned our energy efficient air circulation system to a UDK reporter last week, so I thought it deserved a mention here.
Whenever the bartenders get too warm, the doorguy can flip the fan on, and it circulates outdoor air into the bar. The recent chilly weather has allowed them to cool the bar down pretty fast.
It doesn't look like much- a strange pink panel on a not-very-fancy piece of plywood. But it's a very valuable thing here at The Sandbar.
The fan blasts air behind the bar- where it's needed most. It cheers up the bartenders and lowers the temperature, but since it's not aimed at customer areas, it won't mess up the girls' hair.
by Debbi | Feb 20, 2009 | Off the Wall
Carpenter Dave built some fancy new benches for the back room. Of course they're Dave-size, meaning anyone under six feet tall who sits on them won't be able to touch the ground.
Here's a picture:
They aren't finished; he's going to cover the fronts with cabinet doors to create storage inside. Everything Dave builds serves multiple purposes. He also wants to add a little step so you short folks out there don't have to dangle your legs. There's already a board that serves as a footrest, but he'll make it a little wider and sturdier.
Dave didn't intend this when he built them, but it's a welcome addition: if people are sitting on the benches back there, he can see them from behind the bar and keep an eye on things. Before, with the lower benches, he couldn't always tell if someone was even in the back room.
If you haven't been to The Sandbar in awhile, you might want to stop by soon. You may not recognize the place for all the things Dave has created.
