West Palm Beach's Clematis Street is about to get a fresh wave of surf culture, courtesy of a new restaurant called Longboards. Located in the street's 500 block in the space previously occupied by Ray's Downtown (Blues), the eatery is opening in grand fashion on Saturday, July 2.
Just to play up the "hang ten" theme of the new spot, owner Rodney Mayo is throwing a massive, surf-themed block party starring the Surfaris of "Wipe Out" fame and the Jacuzzi Boys, who have all the kids saying "glazin" these days.
We spoke to Respectable Street's Allan Bowron to get some more details on the new spot.
What is Longboards like inside?
What he's going for is a surf-themed steak and seafood restaurant and bar. Definitely not like Respectable Street, and much more like Dada. A restaurant maybe with bands late at night. Primarily food and drinks. Surfboards are going to be all over the place in there, and flatscreen TVs for sports. There is going to be a back patio area too. They're still doing tastings for the menu, and finishing process of construction.
How big is it inside?
Well, it's where Ray's Downtown Blues used to be, but it's been completely gutted --
you wouldn't even recognize it. What used to be a bunch of rooms is now big, long, and open. There's a huge, elongated bar
along the center of the restaurant. This 75-foot, surfboard-shaped bar is the centerpiece of the
restaurant and has a huge aquarium in the middle.
Is there a stage?
I don't think so. Rodney talked about doing some surf bands and reggae acts possibly on the back patio. There's not going to be big national acts in there.
How are they going to fit for the grand opening?
There's going to be a big outdoor stage like what we do for the anniversary parties. Three bands outside, a portable halfpipe. We're hopefully getting surfboards autographed by Dick Dale that we'll auction off for the Surfers for Autism charity. It's starting to look like the 200 block of Clematis here!
Longboards Grand Opening. With the Surfaris, Jacuzzi Boys, the State Of, Bonnie Riot, and more. 5 p.m. Saturday, July 2, at the 500 block of Clematis Street, West Palm Beach. No cover. Click here.
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