BOTTOM OF THE FIFTH, 498A Military East St., has a new look, late-night food menu and, for the first time in the establishment’s history, a kitchen.

Owner Bruce Adams said he saw a lack of late-night food options in Benicia, “so he did something about it, opening his new kitchen just in time for NFL season,” said Adams’s son, Sam, marketing director.

“Not only adding a food menu, they pulled out all the stops, remodeling the entire place — new floor, new ceiling, new bar top, new look, new attitude,” Sam Adams said.

“This was a long process, but I am thrilled with the results,” said his father, Bruce.

They said the bar will keep its normal hours, 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily.

The kitchen will be open daily from noon until midnight so residents will have a place to find quality food if they’re out and about late at night, they said.

And in the future, they said, the bar will have a weekend breakfast menu.

“We now have four craft beers on draft and eight big-screen HDTVs with Sunday NFL Ticket to watch sports,” Bruce Adams said.

For 10 years, Bruce Adams operated a downtown establishment, JM’s, named for a friend. He opened Bottom of the Fifth in 1990.

The recent renovation took two years to modify the interior, literally, from floor to ceiling, Sam Adams said.

During that time, Bottom of the Fifth remained open, except for a weekend shutdown required to finish the work, he said.

As the work wound down, Bruce Adams hoped to have his soft opening coincident with the opening of the Bay Bridge’s new East Span. But the tasks took a little longer, and Adams missed his desired date by a couple of days.

The Adamses plan an official celebration for the Bottom of the Fifth’s renovation, but they said some decorating needs to be done first. Currently the walls are bare, as are the shelves.

But soon they’ll be filled with sports memorabilia, some from national teams and athletes, but much of it promoting Benicia and Solano County local sports organizations, Sam Adams said.

Those interested may visit www.bottom5th.com.

Benicia Yacht Club hires new manager

Mark Churka is the new general manager of the Benicia Yacht Club, the board of directors has announced.

“Mark brings extensive experience in the hospitality industry to the position, and will be responsible for expanding the banquet capabilities and (increasing) the membership of the Benicia Yacht Club, overseeing all in-house departments,” said Wendy Peterson, volunteer.

“In just six weeks, Mark has renovated the kitchen, hired an executive chef and introduced a new menu,” said Tim Rose, commodore.

“We look forward to all of the improvements he will make.”

Benicia Yacht Club is also offering social memberships to those who do not have a boat, but want access to the club’s amenities, which Peterson said are views of the Carquinez Strait, the bar and food service for noon and evening meals, in addition to more than 20 social events each year.

Those interested may visit www.beniciayachtclub.com or call Churka at 707-746-0739.

The Benicia Herald’s weekly Benicia Business Beat column is an opportunity for local businesses and companies to tell our readers about such news as moves, grand openings, awards, promotion of employees, staff changes and changes in goods and services. Email information to beniciaherald@gmail.com.

Deadline is 3 p.m. Friday for news items that will appear in the next Tuesday edition’s Benicia Business Beat.

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—Donna Beth Weilenman