By Lisa Morgan
I walked into the bar at 340 North Palm Canyon Drive at around 11 pm on Saturday night. The place, marked simply by the word “BAR” in large letters painted on the wall, was packed. Machin, a seriously good live Ska band was playing while the popular Giselle Woo and The Night Owls waited to go on. The deco was classy and cool but not pretentious. The crowd was in the range of 21-30 year olds of all shapes, sizes and backgrounds mingling with a few 40ish year old folks including myself. The bartenders were working steadily and nonstop as people lined up at the bar. It all seemed to be run very efficiently. Despite the number of people in there, nobody seemed to have to wait for their drinks very long at all. And they looked delicious.
I was amazed. Not many people would have the steel nerve to open up a new food and beverage business in this economy. Fewer still can boast a full house their first weeks of business. But when I realized who these courageous people were, it all started to make sense to me. If anyone could do it, the family that created the very successful Giuseppe’s in Cathedral City and Palm Springs could.
The Funkey family that has provided the Coachella Valley with Italian freshness and Chicago style pizza for the last several years has now opened Bar, a very classy but comfortable place for lunch and dinner that offers entertainment with top notch DJs and live bands. Mimicking what made their other venue a success, Bar boasts of using only the freshest ingredients, not only in the kitchen, but at the bar. “We squeeze our juices fresh every day and make our own syrups. We want to provide the same kind of high quality food and drinks you would enjoy in the upper end places in Los Angeles without the stuffiness and high prices,” said Donovan Funkey. The Funkey family: Joe and Sue along with son Donovan, daughter-in-law Molly, and daughters Kimberleigh and Jordan, are all collectively working together to bring their fresh cooking and mixology skills to downtown Palm Springs. And things are off to a fantastic start.
Their own description of this new venture states: “Bar, like it’s simple and to the point name, focuses on the three facets of what a bar should be – good drinks, good food, and good entertainment. Located in the heart of Downtown Palm Springs, our welcoming chalet-inspired haunt encourages guests to lounge and linger. Come taste a wide variety of beers, sip on uniquely crafted cocktails, and indulge in unique small plates all the while being entertained by our carefully curated mix of performers on the Redwood Stage. Bar is the 3rd entity of family owned restaurants by Giuseppe’s, which has acquired the reputation for making its guests feel like part of the family. Like their other restaurants, the Funkey’s have created a place where you can comfortably have a drink with yourself, a significant other, or gather with friends. Choose to have a meal or drink on our outdoor patio, in one of our intimate booths, or at the bar top.”
Reservations and party accommodations are available. Donovan is working on a great lineup of entertainment. This Friday, DJ Journee will be spinning a mix of Reggae and Hip Hop. Saturday, DJ Aimlo will be providing his Indie mix. February 1st, the Funkeys will be holding their grand opening party with food and drink specials and Dublab doing a live podcast.
Keep an eye on upcoming entertainment and check out their tasty, unique food and beverage offerings at www.barwastaken.com and follow them on instagram @barwastaken. This may very well turn out to be the best and hottest club to come to downtown Palm Springs.
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