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"We plan on having things that people don't necessarily recognize off the bat, but it's palate-approachable." All of Lobby Bar's signature cocktails are $15. Lobby Bar's cocktail menu was developed by general manager Kelly Corso (Hi Tops) and consists of 13 craft cocktails. "We wanted a place that we would go to have good food and drinks," said Seely who lives in Bernal Heights. "Even if it's not the typical Castro bar, we felt like there was a need for something different," added Woodward. Woodward, who's called the Castro home for over 20 years, said he opened Lobby Bar in the neighborhood because "we both wanted to do something gay-focused in the gay neighborhood, that's gay-owned and operated." "It feels great to have real furniture in and everything to finally be in place," said Seely. The interior was designed by Jon de la Cruz ( de la Cruz Interior Design), who also designed Divisadero restaurants Che Fico and Che Fico Alimentari. | Photo: Steven Bracco/HoodlineĬustomers are greeted with banquette seating upfront, an eight-seat bar, a nook with a handful of tables, and additional two-person tables across from the bar. With no real lobby, Lobby Bar has taken over the retail space below Hotel Castro with seating for approximately 50 customers.īanquette seating upfront at Lobby Bar. "New construction is always difficult and Covid on top of it threw everything for a loop." "We're excited now that we're open," said Woodward. Since that time, Woodward, Seely, and the Lobby Bar team have built out the space and developed the food and drink menu. Woodward tells Hoodline the project was more than two years in the making after signing the lease in October 2019. Hoodline readers will recall the boutique 12-room Hotel Castro opened at the end of 2021. On Tuesday night, Lobby Bar hosted a soft opening ahead of its grand opening Wednesday, in order to make sure everything was running smoothly. Hoodline broke the news about the forthcoming Lobby Bar in June 2020.
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Lobby Bar is operated by gay sports bar Hi Tops co-owner Jesse Woodward, and his business partner Blake Seely. The long-awaited cocktail lounge and restaurant Lobby Bar (4230 18th St.) opens today on the ground floor of The Hotel Castro.