Keith Burks, owner and manager of downtown Hayward’s newest restaurant, Julian’s BBQ Beer and Wine, hopes he and his restaurant can play a major role in the local community.
Julian’s, which officially opened in June 2012, tested the first trial of live music after the ban lifted around that time, and has recently started a new community program that gives back to local college and high school jazz band programs.
“The first trial period started literally just as we opened, a month before. I was told the city used us as the model to get the extension through,” says Burks, referencing the live music and dancing ban that lasted for six years in Hayward.
“So, when we got here and started providing the jazz on stage with the ‘adult environment,’” he explains, it actually turned the restaurant into a more family friendly atmosphere.
The tall, enthusiastic man explains people come from different cities around the area like Castro Valley and San Leandro, to enjoy the food and the newly allowed live music. Burks explains there is nothing really like it in Hayward, and that “there aren’t many sit down restaurants where you can go and get BBQ.”
Burks’ father’s Mississippi heritage influenced his combination of comfort food and Julian’s rustic, old-time jazz feel. Their southern style ribs, pulled pork dinner, potatoes and cobbler bring in customers. He said his restaurant is growing and thriving, because of its widely popular barbecue taste, and live jazz music, to which he says, “[it’s] like the Yoshi’s of Hayward, but with better food.”
“I would give it a 50/50 split,” says Burk, who explains both the music and food bring people to his restaurant. “I think we have stumbled onto the right combination, we have gotten quality top notch jazz musicians in here, so we are not sacrificing the quality of the music, and we are not sacrificing the quality of the food either.”
While he claims they have great food, they also showcase talented jazz musicians, such as Frank Sumares, who has been featured on the Julian’s stage several times and is considered a Hayward legend. Other local bands such as Jazz Kong Fusion and Giant Garage Spiders are known to play often at the hub.
Burks explains they give local musicians a chance to come in and shine, and is introducing a few projects including the Real Stage Project, which will be held on Wednesdays to help give back to the community.
The Real Stage Project will highlight different local high school and college jazz bands, with 20 percent of the night’s proceeds going to that college or high school’s music programs.
“That’s what it is, to give that opportunity and really give back, we are here to make money of course, but we are really here for the community,” says Burks. “Our goal is to be the blessing, not just to be blessed.”
Another project in the works is their Gospel Sundays, where every Sunday Julian’s will feature an artist from a local church. The restaurant will host a choir who will play two shows that night. A $200 donation will be given to the church that performs, according to Burks.
The third Sunday each month will present a “Feature Gospel Artist” who will perform praise and worship songs. Musicians are welcome to have a donation bucket on stage and can sell merchandise.
For now Julian’s is only open on the weekends. But, Burks says they have people calling in everyday, wanting to know when they are going to expand their hours.
March 28 marks that date.
Mayor Michael Sweeney and the Hayward Chamber of Commerce will be at Julian’s BBQ for a ribbon cutting ceremony, to celebrate the extension of their hours and days.
Eventually, Burks is planning on having late night shows for people who want to get dessert with a side of entertaining live music.
According to Hayward’s previous law, the music ban only allowed live music and dancing until 10 p.m.; in December 2012 Hayward city officials extended those hours to midnight.
Burks says he has not yet taken advantage of the time extensio
