by Monica Tsai
Staff Writer
Amidst little fanfare, San Marco 1402 — the restaurant and bar named after its address at 1402 San Marco Blvd. — opened this summer. Painted cobalt blue and silver tin, the design was meant to be starkly different than the homey look of the previous restaurant, a barbecue dining spot.
Last week, the nightclub expanded its late hours to include lunch. The menu offers the typical American fare such as hamburgers, cold sandwiches, wings, fish and grilled items and is available weekdays from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and every evening until 1:30 a.m. Drinks are served until 2 a.m. every night.
“It’s hard to open a bar and restaurant,” said manager Sarah Davis. “It’s very competitive. You try to keep your crowd and always try to build it up.”
A Jacksonville native, Davis pooled her experiences in the industry from working at Longhorn Steakhouse, Mudville Grille and Pizza Palace.
The owners, who prefer to remain anonymous, opened the 3,588-square-foot venue in keeping with their personal tastes in dining and entertaining. Newcomers to the entertainment and food service industry, the couple completely remodeled the location before moving in a little more than two months ago. Their staff consists of 10 workers.
“They’re on line with what they thought it [sales] would be,” said Davis. “The first year is always rough.”
To generate interest, the management at 1402 began holding themed nights to create an atmosphere distinguishable from similar nearby businesses. For example, each Sunday a tea dance is held. Customers can bring in potluck dishes and enjoy dancing.
Every Wednesday evening is theater night when customers are treated to live plays for a $5 cover charge. Nothing But the Truth production company approached Davis about the idea and has been staging shows there ever since. The troupe consists of actors and actresses from the Alhambra Dinner Theatre and a local playwright.
At night and on the weekends, parking is allowed behind and beside the establishment. During the day, 1402 customers should park on the street.