On May 12, 2005, the San Diego Union Tribune (
visit link) ran the following story:
"House of Blues San Diego opens its doors downtown
By: Jeff Pack - Staff Writer | midnight May 12, 2005
As Jim Biafore walked along the main hallway of the nearly completed House of Blues San Diego last week, the general manager of the music-house chain's ninth location can't help but be impressed with what he sees.
"When the House of Blues goes about doing something, they go all the way," he said. "Everything they do, every last detail is done well."
Wednesday night, Biafore and his crew opened the club to the general public with a performance by the Wailers. Tonight, funk-master George Clinton takes the stage, followed by Los Angeles' Ozomatli on Friday and Saturday nights. After a full calendar of shows the following week, a three-day "grand opening" weekend will be highlighted by the Blues Brothers featuring Dan Aykroyd and Jim Belushi on May 21.
"It is amazing how a team of people can come together under tough conditions," Biafore said. "It is actually a lot of fun; it's amazing to see the club take shape as quickly as it has."
Occupying the old Woolworth building in downtown San Diego's Gaslamp District, House of Blues San Diego features a two-level music hall, restaurant and sidewalk cafe featuring Southern-inspired cuisine, several bars and VIP rooms. Decorated with folk-art paintings by artists from the South and murals created by HOB's staff of artists, the San Diego location provides an eclectic visual experience befitting House of Blues' reputation.
"In fact, many of the folk-art pieces you see here in the restaurant is some of the artwork that was in the original House of Blues in Cambridge (Mass.)," Biafore said. "They were set aside specifically so they could be put here in San Diego."
You don't have to have a ticket to a concert to take in the artwork or dine in the restaurant or sidewalk cafe.
"Our goal is to become an industry leader in San Diego," said Biafore. "We are going to set the standards for guest expectations for live music and dining experience in our tremendous restaurant. From a guest experience standpoint, I think we're going to elevate the market."
It's a growing market thanks to American Indian casinos and one that's hardly alien to House of Blues. The company's concert division is the exclusive booker at the HOB-owned Coors Amphitheatre and San Diego State's Cox Arena and Open Air Theatre. It also promotes shows at such venues as 'Canes, SOMA, Copley Symphony Hall, Spreckles Theatre and Epicentre. (House of Blues did the same at 4th & B, but no longer. The downtown nightspot recently signed an exclusive booking deal with Viejas Entertainment.) The addition of the 1,100-person namesake club gives House of Blues quite a strong grip on music in San Diego.
"We put a lot of shows in those rooms, probably about 250 shows a year," said Biafore. "Now that we're bringing the branded club down, we think we can add even more than before."
Biafore admits that, at first, some clubs had reservations about a House of Blues nightspot in America's Finest City. "I think they were a little concerned at first, but we assured them that we think we're going to help pull even more people into the market than ever before," Biafore said. "We also think we can pull down more people from North County based on the overall experience we can offer. With more people participating in the live music scene, the better it is for everyone."
Belly Up Tavern talent buyer Jeff Gaulton said he agrees with the "more live music is good for everyone" theory, but says House of Blues has already had an impact on the market. Whether the effects will be good or bad is to be determined."