As loyal fans and the Detroit Bar grew up, the venue was rechristened as The Wayfarer. Opening its doors in July 2014, when the former owner of the Detroit Bar sold to local entrepreneur Jeffrey Chon, many local residents became worried that the musical preferences and style would be dramatically altered. Instead, the sound system was upgraded by local Costa Mesa company QSC, but the sounds that boomed through it remained on the same wavelength that the Detroit Bar created. Their dedication to presenting good quality local music is the cohesion between Detroit Bar and The Wayfarer. Detroit Bar was filling the niche market of showcasing the Orange County music scene. Because of them, being a band out of Orange County isn’t a minor thing anymore. Detroit proved that with Young the Giant, an Irvineborn alternative band. The Wayfarer is continuing the legacy with big name shows from Aloe Blacc, DJ Z-Trip and Jim Adkins from Jimmy Eat World. They are also continuing to give upand-coming bands a chance and watch the fandom for smaller names, like HAWAI, grow on their main platform “The Detroit Stage” to pay homage to the legendary past. The Wayfarer is Chon’s first venture into operating a music venue and came with its share of trials and tribulations. However, with the help of including Detroit Bar’s Talent Buyer Eric Keilman on his team, Chon was able to learn the ins and outs involved in the musical performance industry. This especially proved beneficial for the local artists residencies that fill up the Monday calendar booking entries and keep locals still packing The Wayfarer’s larger hall— playing pool whilst imbibing in the newly 160 | LOCALE MAGAZINE
elevated drink menu with an extensive tap and whiskey selection. In addition, Chon has added monthly Roots Reggae Tuesday and DJ Nights along with Karaoke and the occasional jam band to fill up the event calendar in between national and regional act performances. The Wayfarer aims to give the consumer a more complete experience than its predecessors did. Those before them did many things right with regard to the music scene, but Chon, coming from the restaurant business, had a more complete vision for the spot. Keilman has seen the transition first hand and the positive reception from the community.
Photos - Phantogram: Timothy Saccenti | Skrillex: Jason Nocito | Jeffrey Chon: Matt Doheny
A MIDNIGHT SHOW FROM THE LOCAL NATIVES IN 2007 HAD THE CROWD SCREAMING, MEMBERS OF THE WU TANG CLAN TOOK THE MIC TO SPIT RHYMES IN 2009 AND IN 2010, SKRILLEX BUMPED A DJ SET ALL AT THE DETROIT BAR, A PLACE THAT HOUSED HISTORY IN THE MAKING.
SHOW ENTHUSIAST > If you are in Santa Ana, be sure to check out the Observatory and its smaller venue the Constellation Room. > If you are in South Orange County, the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano by the Mission receives a lot of notable and large artists making their trek up from San Diego like Emmylou Harris and Taj Mahal.
“The audience has really differed and each night it varies,” said Keilman. “We have people coming in now to just see what’s going on, and less of just folks who are friends of the band. It’s a space that is comfortable for everyone to check out now.”
> If you find yourself venturing out to Anaheim, you have a plethora of live music options with the City National Grove of Anaheim, as well as the House of Blues Anaheim.
Behind the bar sits the newly installed kitchen where Chon has taken his experience from The Alley in Newport Beach and Tabu Shabu in Costa Mesa to put together an artisanal menu that includes such eclectic items as spicy shrimp scampi and avocado fries. This helps provide dining options that were previously unavailable in its previous incarnation as the Detroit Bar.
> If you are looking to be surrounded by musical history, our recommendation would be the Doll Hut as this was the venue that both No Doubt and the Offspring got their start.
Overall, Chon’s devotion to the continued success of Orange County music scene is evident by his investment involved with improving the building and sound infrastructure. All of his improvements will keep The Wayfarer an integral venue within Orange County for the foreseeable future. Detroit Bar ignited a passion for music and local talent in Orange County. The Wayfarer has continued the legacy of the incredible landmark and dedicates its operation to bringing music to the people.
STAR STUDDED START-UPS: MUSICIANS WHO HAVE PLAYED AT THE DETROIT BAR > Local Natives > Dawes
> Steve Aoki
> Phantogram > Skrillex
> Foster the People > Cold War Kids > Elliott Smith
> Yeah Yeah Yeahs > Modest Mouse