The Roadhouse That Popeye Built Is Home to Beer and Blues
As the giant steel soccer ball and small wooden boat out front attest, Costa Mesa’s Newport Roadhouse isn’t your typical Orange County bar. In fact, in just a few months, it has quickly gained a reputation as one of the hippest bars around.
Known as Popeye’s to local barflies in past years and now commonly called the Roadhouse, it was christened in February when manager Gabriel Tellez took the helm. Tellez had been responsible for scheduling acts at Seal Beach’s Sunset Pub before it lost its entertainment license late last year.
The Roadhouse is attracting all kinds of friendly folk, from early 20s to late 40s, congregating to hear the bands that perform every night or to sample one of 21 beers (six, including Guinness, on tap).
Along with the nightly entertainment, changes from Popeye’s days include a stage and dance floor near the bar and higher tables and stools. And Tellez has removed much of the nautical decor and replaced it with black-and-white photos and oversized posters of blues musicians.
The bar-nightclub primarily features roots rock and reggae bands, known and unknown, Saturday through Thursday for a nominal cover charge. On reggae nights, drink specials include Jamaican Red Stripe beer. Some of the best in rhythm and blues that the Southland has to offer can be heard every “Blue Monday.”
The bar only looks like a real roadhouse of ruckus on Friday nights, when Craig McGahee, owner of the alternative clothing store London Exchange, books punk and post-punk acts under the club-for-the-night title NKOTB (New Klub on the Block).
The Roadhouse offers typical bar recreations, such as pool, darts, video games and, for the passive player, several televisions tuned to sports events.
Because good tunes and libations can make a person hungry, the kitchen serves burgers, chips, chili fries, hot wings, shrimp cocktail and other appetizers ($1.60 to $5.50).
Happy Hour starts at 10 a.m., when the bar opens, and lasts until 9 p.m., when the live show gets started.
Just as its motto promises, the Roadhouse serves up “cheap drinks, lousy food and great music.”
Newport Roadhouse, 1700 Placentia Ave., Costa Mesa. Open Saturday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 2 a.m., Friday and Saturday till 3 a.m. (714) 650-1840.
