First Look: Biggest Little City Club bar

See inside the new California Avenue bar in our gallery.

Its name, “Biggest Little City Club,” doesn’t reveal much about what the bar is about. OK, it clearly has something to do with Reno, and the city's past and present wild image are reflected by the new bar that has opened where Satellite used to be.

The Biggest Little City Club – hereafter referred to as BLCC – is both old and new Reno. The place, at 188 California Ave., has the feeling of a historical saloon, though it’s conjured with simple accents. Cowboy hats hang symmetrically. Chandeliers lend an old-time elegance. Antlers are mounted near a wall-sized painting of trees.

It’s fancy without being uncomfortable.

Modern touches

But then there are the modern hipster touches throughout. The restrooms’ genders signs are unusual and cheeky. Mirrors hang above the well-stocked racks of alcohol where TVs might sit in other joints. A giant image of the old Reno arch is splashed across one wall.

A projector flings fuzzy images on the window looking out onto California Avenue. During the opening night on Tuesday, visuals lingered from a samurai flick, flirted with ‘40s burlesque and then snapped to cult vampire film “Nosferatu.”

Satellite's specter

Just like the past shines through in the décor, so does the Satellite Cocktail Lounge.

After the Satellite closed abruptly on Jan. 15, its new owners went to work. The place is strikingly different, even while being built on a familiar frame.

Brian Egan, one of the BLCC’s owners, said some things were never on the chopping block.

“There’s a killer concrete bar, and we liked it,” he said. However, the rough surface of the iconic semi-circular bar has been polished down and given a nice finish. There’s also one other important change.

“We cut a hole in it so we can get in and out without bumping the s--- out of our heads,” Egan said. It’s shocking this fix hadn’t been done before.

Fast change

It and the rest of the drastic overhaul were completed in a whirlwind two months. But there are still signs of Satellite: The raised triangular platform reminiscent of a stage at the front, the square holes cut in the prominent beam along the ceiling, and the same old patio. And right now, the patio is cold.

One major structural difference is the back wall being knocked out, making the place seem much larger and providing more seats.

Egan hopes those seats will be filled by the professionals working on California Avenue and the surrounding area. That’s the community they’re targeting, especially with the happy hour, but Egan said the bar still wants to appeal to all ages.

Music not on center stage

Another big difference is in that the BLCC isn’t crafting its business around live music, and Egan said the bar doesn’t plan to have regular door charges.

Concerts will happen, perhaps even featuring out-of-town acts, but for right now, the BLCC is sticking with incidental music and acts playing throughout an evening for the free enjoyment of patrons.

But music, like the drinks menu and the hours and most everything else, is at least a little bit in flux.

“We’re flying by the seat of our pants, here,” Egan said.

In this economy, we’re delighted to see a new business flying at all.

The Biggest Little City Club, at 188 California Ave., opens daily about 3 p.m. and closes late. Happy hour is from 3 to 7 p.m. Monday-Saturday and all day Sunday and features $1 off well and draft drinks and other specials.