New nightclub plans to open next month

BARSTOW • A new restaurant, nightclub and bar will be materializing on East Main Street alongside Interstate 40 next month.

Nightclub owner Ariel Vera said opening day for the Mojave Nightclub and Restaurant is planned for July 25. In the meantime he and partner Ana Diaz are busy transforming the old Eagles Aerie 3637 into a place that Vera says will offer $3 breakfasts to senior citizens, $5 to $6 sandwiches at lunch and karaoke nights and live bands on weekends.

Currently the owner of a construction company, Vera said he hopes to offer a classy venue — one that will attract well known bands and artists — that’s inexpensive enough for anyone in the community to enjoy.

“Something the community doesn’t have a lot of is entertainment,” Vera said, adding that even though he’s the owner of a construction company, he’s been around musicians for a long time as a promoter. “We plan to have four different bands here every month.”

Vera said he wants to offer a mix of entertainment for the community including country music, ranchero and mariachi music as well as jazz and oldies for the seniors. He and Diaz knocked out offices in the front of the old Eagles Lodge where the dining area will be, and the old hall in the back is going to be used for private parties, weddings and, Vera hopes, city banquets.

As someone who’s active in the music industry, Vera said owning a nightclub is something he always wanted to do. He said he has been on the verge of buying one before, but hasn’t until now.

“As a patron I know what I want,” he said. “I know what high end looks like. We’re going to clean this place up and it’s going to look decent.”

Gabriel Diaz, former owner of Club Inferno, which closed its doors two months ago, has been helping Vera and his sister Ana Diaz clean up the building the Mojave Nightclub and Restaurant will be at. In addition to being a venue for the more well-known artists, Gabriel Diaz said the new nightclub will be a venue for local bands.

“We plan to do a lot of rock concerts,” he said.

As far as food goes, Vera said salads and other foods that don’t require cooking will be prepared at the restaurant, but plans to cater the rest. He said he has sources in Fontana that will provide food services, but he soon hopes to have a full kitchen and chef that will serve locally obtained products.

Even though the location of the Mojave Nightclub and Restaurant may be somewhat out of the way, both  Vera and building owner Bruce Urban don’t think so. The location provides ample parking and it’s visible from the highway, Urban said. And Vera said he hopes the club will attract local bar hoppers and tourists on their way to Las Vegas and the Colorado River.

“We plan to be here a long time,” Vera said. “We’re hoping the community gives us support.”

Contact the writer:
(760) 256-4123 or jcejnar@desertdispatch.com