Java Joe’s Pub, previously known as the famed San Diego acoustic venue Java Joe’s, reopened Jan. 1 at its new home next to San Diego State University. Joe Flammini, owner and namesake of Java Joe’s, bought out Kelly’s Pub in late 2003 and has big plans to promote local music in the college scene.
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First opened in Poway in February 1991, Joe’s has relocated in Ocean Beach twice ‹ in 1993 and 2000. The popular local music venue’s latest transition is to coffeehouse-turn-restaurant turn-pub. A year before Java Joe’s last location at Ocean Beach on the corner of Bacon Street and Santa Monica Avenue closed, Flammini applied for a liquor license and kept the music unplugged to avoid applying for a cabaret license. The new location of the pub promises amplified performances and Flammini plans on unplugged performances on the patio in the upcoming summer. Also, if plans go well, a second alcohol-free, all-ages Java Joe’s will open in North Park this summer.
The current 21-and-over venue is booked every night except Mondays with local talent, including Vertibird, Tristan Prettyman, Robin Henkel and Anya Marina.
Java Joe’s has been a springboard for its famous alumni: Jewel waitressed there at 16, took the stage a few years later, and took on the world shortly afterward. Jason Mraz started out playing open mics, then began selling out Thursday nights regularly, and now sells thousands of records. This knack for finding and housing enormous talent has turned Java Joe’s from a 49-seat-capacity word-of-mouth success to a 143-seat-capacity phenomenon.
Java Joe’s Pub hosts weekly open mic nights and free pool on Tuesdays, and Miff’s jam night every Sunday at 6 p.m., where musicians can bring in their instruments and play with other musicians. To promote its new location, shows for the month of January are free and on Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays, pitchers of domestic beer are a mere $6.
Java Joe’s Pub is located at 6344 El Cajon Blvd., between San Diego State University and La Mesa. Find out more information by calling (619) 286-0400 or visiting http://javajoes-sd.com.
Upcoming events
Friday, Jan. 23: Joey Harris with Paul Kamanski and Caren Campbell
Saturday, Jan. 24: Anya Marina and Saba
Tuesday, Jan. 27: Open Mic Night
Wednesday, Jan. 28: Tommy Price
