Empress Tavern just reopened in downtown Sacramento. It’s not the restaurant you remember

Empress Tavern is back, more casual than before and under new ownership.

The basement restaurant downstairs of the Crest Theatre reopened Thursday at 1013 K St. in downtown Sacramento, more than two years after it closed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Empress’ arching brick ceilings are one of the few holdovers from the original restaurant to what’s there now. Robert Alvis and Elliot Prestwich of GD Theaters bought the Crest in October 2019, then bought Empress from chef/co-owner Michael Thiemann after it closed.

Many businesses along K Street closed during the pandemic, and GD Theaters saw an opportunity in reopening the downstairs restaurant. But Empress also controlled the Crest Theatre’s liquor license, and the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control had indicated it wouldn’t be renewed if the downstairs restaurant remained closed.

Without a change, concertgoers and movie-watchers wouldn’t have been able to enjoy a glass of wine or cocktail with their entertainment. So Alvis and Prestwich went about redesigning Empress Tavern as a more casual, affordable spot for group to grab a bite before a show.

Empress was well-known for its cocktails and meat-centered menu in a distinct, underground venue.

Now vegan burgers, mushroom risotto and French dip sandwiches have replaced $40 steaks and spare ribs for four. No entree is more than $16, and chef Jackson Wade’s shareable small plates such as chicken skewers or arancini with curry aioli run $4-$10.

“It’s a little bit more focused on the tavern than the Empress,” said bar manager Evan Erickson. “We want to live up to that old Empress name, but it’s going to be a little bit more bistro-style rather than fine dining.”

The former chef at Ella Dining Room & Bar, Thiemann opened the hotly-anticipated Empress in 2015. It was two doors down from his all-vegetarian restaurant Mother, which closed in January 2020.

Empress Tavern will be open from 4-10 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and on other nights when the Crest Theatre has a show.