Unfortunately the landmark establishment was hit with a kitchen fire in 2005 and sat vacant for a decade. Then two local businessmen decided to resurrect the name at the same location. And that brings us to why I’m talking about this on a cycling blog…
Before the fire, when I was a Sacramento resident, Joe Marty’s was on my short list of favorite bars. I’d known about the fire, but didn’t know that it had reopened. When I was back in Sacramento recently for the North American Hand Made Bike Show, I decided to check out the newly renovated place with my son.
When we walked in the door, one of the staff greeted us. As I was gazing about the place, she made a comment about the bicycle tattoos I have on my arm. That lead to a quick, impromptu conversation about bicycle, and then she said something that I completely didn’t expect…
She drew my attention to a TV mounted above the bar. The TV was dedicated to displaying live security camera footage of… the bike rack outside. This immediately struck me as so simple, yet so brilliant.
I had to know more. I reached out to the business and was able to talk to reach the owners, for a quick email interview:
JustAnotherCyclist: What is your name, and what is your role at Joe Marty’s?Joe Marty’s: Jack Morris and Devon Atlee, ownersJAC: How long have you be associated with Joe Marty’s?JM’s: …we just opened two months agoJAC: The decor and ambience of the interior is true to the baseball influence that is central to Joe Marty’s history. However, among the big screens with baseball games is also a TV with a very different view from all the others. Can you tell us about that TV?JM’s: We actual added the bike racks to the parking lot just before we opened. We added an outside camera so our customers could sit at the bar have a drink or some food and not have to worry about anyone messing with the bikes.. so far a great addition.JAC: A security camera displayed above the bar specifically for the cyclists isn’t something that is very common. What inspired Joe Marty’s to do this? JM’s: We did it for the neighborhood . At night [the] camera on the TV shows up just like you were watching in the day time.
JAC: When I visited Joe Marty’s, the staff recognized me as a “bike guy” by the bicycles tattooed on my arm. They are the ones that pointed out the security camera to me. Is this something staff are encouraged to actively promote?JM’s: Yes. it has been a conversation piece for the staff and customers.JAC: Does Joe Marty’s enjoy a significant amount of patronage from folks that ride their bikes in?JM’s: Now that the weather is getting nice we are seeing more and more people riding over from the neighborhoods.JAC: Any suspicious activity at the bike racks been caught and averted because of the cameras?JM’s: Not so far.JAC: Anything else you’d like to say to the cyclists living in, or visiting, Sacramento?JM’s: We have enough bike parking space for 20 plus bikes. Baseball season is starting up and we will have the MLB baseball package. The River Cats [local Sacramento AAA baseball club] will also shuttle people to and from Joe Martys every Thursday for RiverCats home game. stay tuned!!If your cyclist fiends want to join our e-newsletter [for] events and specials go to gojoemartys.com
JAC: Thank you for taking the time to talk to us. I know that I’ll be stopping by on my bike for a pint and more of those street tacos next time I’m in Sacramento!
Joe Marty’s Bar & Grille is located in Sacramento’s Land Park neighborhood in the Tower Theater complex at 1500 Broadway. And yes – I really do recommend the tacos.