Oakland's century-old Stork Club, which called it quits during the pandemic, will get a resurrection thanks to veteran bar owners in the city. Those are Billy Joe Agan and Matt Patane, who own another landmark bar, Eli’s Mile High Club, and Marc Ribak, event planner for the Mosswood Meltdown music festival hosted by Waters. Retitled Thee Stork Club, the bar will open July 1.
The Stork Club epitomized 'dive,' and that's why we loved it. The bar's extant Facebook page adorably outlines how bands needed to bring at least ten paying people to the door to earn the free drink tickets for the performers (one well drink or two PBR bottles each). The team plans to bring back 'trash cocktails,' such as the Harvey Wallbanger (which incorporates the anise-flavored liqueur Galliano, which few adore) and the kamikaze, a fairly decent vodka cocktail that borrows some ingredients from margaritas. They're aiming for sugary overload and 'gaudy garnishes,' according to the entertaining Oaklandside piece.