The Wayfarer Books First Show, We Peek Inside
By Nate Jackson | May 21, 2014

While we certainly dig The Wayfarer’s old-school approach to kicking off the building’s new chapter, the decision to keep the performance side of the venue tagged as “The Detroit Bar Stage” has some folks curious about Chon’s plans to proceed with his brand while still being tied to the old one. Considering all the changes he plans to make to the place, is it a smart move?
“Places don’t need to completely change in order to be great, I do think they need to evolve though,” says the 30 year-old restauranteur–who also spent plenty of nights at the venue himself while growing up around OC. Yesterday, we stood outside the venue with Chon as crews drilled and hammered away at his unfinished vision. Some of the old posters from the last week of Detroit’s existence were still clinging to the rear entrance door.
“Detroit has been what its been for over a decade, and it’s been great, but it hasn’t evolved and so that was my goal in thinking this place could evolve into staying the same thing at its foundation. It’s always been a cool hang out and a cool place for music, and that’s what we’re trying to keep it as.”
During a walkthrough with Chon, we got a chance to take a peak inside the unfinished new design of The Wayfarer. From our first impressions, it seems promising. The stage is still essentially gonna be in the same place as it was, give or take a little. The ceiling has been elevated, which should help with sound. The fact that they’re spending a ton of dough on some new sound equipment should help a little as well.
A newly extended bar and kitchen area are instant indicators that new food and drink programs are definitely on their way. Get ready for some high brow cocktails and fusion dishes like kimchee chorizo fried rice. Food will be ordered and served through a single walk up window with tables that can be set up or pulled out according to the show schedule.
Similar to Casa taking over Avalon Bar across the street late last year, there’s obviously this movement afoot to class up this corner of 19th St. in Costa Mesa in ways that entrepreneurs think we want to see. Of course only time will tell if they’re right. While Chon insists draft beers and everyday bar staples of the old place aren’t going anywhere, there will be a tasteful attempt by The Wayfarer to get you to stay way longer, which always bodes well for business.
“Nobody’s coming to eat dinner here. That’s not what we’re going for,” Chon says. “We’re going for ‘Hey let’s have a good time–but we can stay here.’ You don’t have to go to 10 different places. You can come here, listen to music, get a good drink, get some good food, and do it all at once.”
Article source: http://blogs.ocweekly.com