New beer garden set for Sacramento’s midtown to pay homage to local music
A new beer garden, catering to caffeine aficionados, is coming to Sacramento’s midtown.
Called the Backstage Bar and Cafe, the new space will be on the same site as a 20-year-old recording studio, offering inspiration for the owners who will pay homage to local bands. Patrons sipping a beverage — wine will also be served — can see into the music engineering room on site, said David Herrera, who has teamed up with his wife Dana Herrera to bring this effort to life.
The outdoor patio, transformed into a beer garden, abuts a recording studio, The Formulation Room, at 1812 D St. in midtown’s New Era Park neighborhood. Like its name suggests, customers munching on light snacks and pastries will feel as if they are sitting behind-the-scenes in a studio, said Herrera, an executive president at Colliers whose portfolio includes several midtown restaurants and bars.
“We thought the experience would be different than what anybody else is doing here in Sacramento,” he said.
Herrera and his wife Dana Herrera, with twin brothers Cory and Kale Coppin, opened The Backstage Brewing Co. last year in Curtis Park. Ales from the brewery will be served at the 2,600 square-feet D Street location.
Herrera added the venue also plans to cater to Sacramento’s love of bikes, offering the cyclist enthusiasts a place to store their wheels. . The site has access points to the American River Parkway nearby.
Sacramento’s Planning and Design Commission approved the Backstage Bar and Cafe on Thursday. An opening date has not been set, Herrera said.
No one spoke in opposition to the project during the meeting, but a pair of residents living in the area sent concerned letters about the level of noise.
Herrera said the outdoor music will be at a decibel level that’s comfortable. Live music is not planned for the site and the recording studio is closed to the general public, according to a staff report.
Commissioners said this project could breathe new life into the neighborhood.
“This is a ton of potential in this part of town, potentially a new mode of activity in the city,” said Commissioner Dov Kadin.
