Hogs & Heifers has a party planned for New Year’s Eve. The “where” of it all depends on the moving of dirt, and the arrival of a building from Colorado.
The Vegas-based biker bar will either celebrate at its popular Outpost pop-up at Plaza, or on its new parcel a few strides to the east at 307 and 319 S. Main St. That site is to be H&H’s permanent home.
Regardless of how the timing works out, Plaza and H&H are planning to partner in a new venue with Plaza CEO Jonathan Jossel. We’re forecasting an elevated Hogs & Heifers idea here.
This concept is still in the unsigned, developmental phase. But if it works out, the club would open after H&H relocates from its pop-up home, the former Sand Dollar Downtown location just off the casino floor (the OG Sand Dollar is still running at Spring Mountain and Polaris).
The next Hogs & Heifers should be in full rumble by January.
“We are still pushing for an early December date, so we either open on Dec. 1, before the NFR, or we open after the rodeo and Christmas on New Year’s Eve,” H&H owner Michelle Dell says. “Likely, we will have a 10-day closure at the Plaza while we relocate.”
The original plan was for H&H to operate out of the Plaza beginning in January, with no firm timeline for moving to the new spot. Dell’s timeframe was six to eight months, or longer, whatever it took to assemble the new saloon.
Jossel said he is fine with the club staying at his hotel-casino through the end of December. Initially these partners knew little of each other and had not met before Dell and H&H COO Michelle Sandler broached the Plaza pop-up concept.
Jossel was educated fast on what H&H would bring to the property.
“I didn’t know what I was getting into,” Jossel said. “If you go in on a Tuesday at 5, or a Saturday at 10, it’s energy, it’s fun, it’s great. They have been great partners.”
Dell said she has found a kindred spirit on 1 Main St.
“We love that the Plaza is old school in so many ways but looking for new ideas,” the owner said. “I think Jonathan respects how hands-on we are in our business operations.”
Dell says it will take 30 days to set up the post-Plaza building once the materials arrive, then the work starts on the interior. Dell and Sandler went with Semper Fi Steel out of Centre, Alabama, about two hours southeast of Huntsville. The owners of the family business are female military veterans.
Dell says the entire process “adds up to s—- is happening fast.” But she is determined to be up and running in the new spot in December “if the devil’s willing and the creek don’t rise.” In H&H-speak, that makes sense.
A biker-bartender campaign
H&H bartender Jessica Bollant hopes to be back working at the saloon just as it is being readied for the move. Remarkable, as Bollant suffered serious injuries in a recent motorcycle accident May 29 at the Stephanie Street and I-215 on-ramp.
Bollant struck the guard rail and shattered her left foot. She managed to get off the bike and call 911, then fashioned a tourniquet with her belt. Sadly, her foot could not be saved. On June 1, doctors removed her left leg below the knee.
Bollant will live with a prosthetic – joking whether she should go with a peg leg or bionic foot.
The club and Bollant’s friends have galvanized to help defray costs related to the accident. Find that campaign on the Hogs & Heifers Facebook page. From Bollant’s post, “I’m not asking anyone to buy me a yacht. Just to help me survive life while I learn to walk on one leg.”
Donate to the GoFundMe page, or in-person at the Plaza. Bollant is planning to reunite with her teammates and customers by the end of the year, saying, “I suck being a homebody, but that’s my plan: To be up and walking in a prosthetic, back behind my favorite bar, kicking ass and taking names like usual.”
Who was where
Joey McIntyre of New Kids On The Block attended “Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson” at Majestic Repertory Theatre on Thursday night. The rock musical centers on the founding of the Democratic Party, with the controversial Jackson, the seventh U.S. president at the center. The production runs through July 11.
McIntyre seems to have an interest in downtown (hint) maybe for a non-NKOTB project (another hint). Not at this venue, mind you, but somewhere.
Take a backstage pass
Smith Center President Myron Martin has turned to the entertainment community in dressing-room renovations at Reynolds Hall. On Facebook, Martin asks, “What makes you happy when you walk into a new or favorite venue? Best makeup mirrors? Furniture? Refrigerator? Sink? Lighting?” I’ll add, “Cooler o’ FizzyWater.” Jump in with suggestions if you feel you qualify. The work should be finished by the end of the month. None of the work will impact the performances.
Cool Hang Alert
Rock stalwarts L.A. Guns, with special guests Danny Koker and Count’s 77, jack up the amps at 6 p.m. (doors), 7 p.m. (show) Sunday at The Club inside the Cannery. Tickets start at $58.25; go to ticketmaster.com for intel.
John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section. Contact him at [email protected]. Follow @johnnykats on X, @JohnnyKats1 on Instagram.