Grillfire Serves More Music

Known for their ribs, macaroni and cheese and homemade chicken pot pies, Grillfire in Long Beach is giving their loyal patrons another reason to return to their restaurant.

Now under new ownership, the restaurant, at 152 W. Park Ave.,will have more live music, brining in bands such as The Mystic, Sound Image and Head Over Heels every Friday and Saturday, starting at 9:30 p.m.

“We are trying to bring all the best bands from Long Island,” said Dan Shea, the restaurant's general manger.

Although the restaurant has not undergone any major renovations, the new lounge area seats close to 200 people every weekend for live music and $5 weekend drink specials.

“It’s really the same,” Shea said. “The menus the same, the staff is the same, there’s just new ownership now.”

Eddie Sarkis, guitar and singer for Head Over Heels for 30 years, has played at venues across the nation, and after performing two, one-hour long sets at Grillfire on April 6, he only had good things to say about the restaurant's updated venue. 

“We brought our own sound equipment with us but the sound there was pretty good,” Sarkis said. “It was a nice place with a real good atmosphere.”

Sarkis and his seven-piece, Brooklyn-based band expressed only admiration for the restaurant and it’s management, and is rescheduled to play the venue again June 16.

“The owners and management were real involved over there,” Sarkis said. “A lot of times you play a bar and you don’t see them until the end of the night.”

Grillfire's spring lineup:

April 20 - Sound Image

April 21 - “Fabulous Sixties Rock Show”

April 27 - Green Machine

April 28 - The Legendary Murphys

May 4 - Sweet Water

May 5 - The Mystic

May 11 - Uppercut

May 12 - Ace

May 18 - Green Machine

May 19 - Just Nuts

May 25 - East Coast Band

May 26 - Michigan Dave

June 1 - Sweet Water

June 2 - The Mystic

June 8 - Heart And Soul

June 9 - Ace

June 15 - Green Machine 

June 16 - Head Over Heels

June 22 - Rebel Soul

June 23 - Fabulous Sixties