gmhTODAY 17 gmhToday Nov Dec 2017 | Page 48

What’s New Downtown Gilroy? Written By Carly Gelsinger Bartender’s Union 7421 Monterey Street Owner Dustin Evanger overhauled the dark dive bars of the past with a brand new rustic wood-paneled wall, modern glass bottle pendant lighting, and industrial steel tables. The feel at Bartender’s Union is classy but relaxed. Evanger’s super clever concept for the bar is one that would attract a bartender on his day off. On one wall, there’s a list of “union rules.” Drunk drivers suck. Don’t grab the bartender. Keep it Classy, Gilroy. Classy, indeed. The drinks are fresh and the service is personal and people can mingle at the bar, at long tables, or talk over a game of pool or darts. “Business is going great and we feel really welcomed by the community,” Evanger said. Cheers to that. Station 55 Mex 55 Fifth Street Another downtown building with a history of failed establishments, Station 55, is back but different than ever before. Formerly an American diner and Indian buffet, the former firehous’s new owner Genaro Guízar retained the historic name, but brought his own extensive menu of traditional Mexican eats to the kitchen. The food is fresh and presented beautifully with garnishes of bright green guacamole and housemade Chipotle sauce, but perhaps even better are the cocktails. The full bar offers fresh-squeezed lime margaritas, pina coladas, mojitos, and more. “The fruit for our drinks are hand squeezed every morning,” Guízar said. Guízar plans to use the spacious second floor for concerts, and public and private events. Golden State Brewery 7560 Monterey Street This 10,000-square-foot venue in the old Net Fitness building will celebrated its soft opening the end of November with beer, wine, paninis and finger foods. In the spring of 2018, owner Seth Hendrickson said Golden State will have a full restaurant and brew their own beer on site. “The City [of Gilroy] has been so welcoming and kept saying yes to everything we asked for,” Hendrickson said. “The community has been awesome so far.” During the brewery’s soft opening, fourteen beers will be on tap, but within six months, they will have twenty, including a roasted garlic beer. Hendrickson is especially excited about the brewery’s patio on Monterey Street. “The downtown area is yearning for some action outside,” he said. He plans to grow his hops around the patio as a privacy screen. “We’ll have misters, we’ll have music. The focal point will be people out having a good time.” Golden State is a family-friendly and dog-friendly environment where people can relax for a half-hour or three hours, Hendrickson said. We can get behind that. 48 GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017 gmhtoday.com