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A bar and entertainment venue along Old First Street is in the process of being revamped under new ownership.
Initially dubbed R Place Music Club, the business was advertised as being for sale earlier this year along with its building.
Pleasanton-based restaurateur Fatih Ulas acquired the pair and has rebranded the business to Backstage Livermore with plans to serve elevated cocktails and locally produced wines. He also intends to host live music at the venue everyday with an emphasis on bringing in famous musicians.
Ulas’ recent purchase joins his portfolio of nine restaurants in the Bay Area, including Sultan’s Kebab located on nearby First Street.
As part of the Backstage Livermore rebrand, efforts are underway to clean up the formerly “sticky floor” dive bar, he told Livermore Vine.
“I’ve actually never been there before, but when I bought the building, I wanted to give a facelift to downtown Livermore,” Ulas said. “Livermore is growing really good. There’s a lot of potential.”
Prior to becoming a restaurateur, Ulas worked as a hair stylist and cosmetologist.
Ulas pivoted his career about a decade ago when his father, the founder and former owner of Sultan’s Kebab, was experiencing an issue with his health.
Options before his father were to either sell the sole Sultan’s Kebab in Pleasanton or pass on the business to Ulas.
Since taking over the restaurant, Ulas has expanded the business to Livermore, Danville and Campbell.
He has also created Elia Restaurants, with four locations to-date, and Bódrum Mezze & Cocktails in Dublin.
For the newly acquired Backstage Livermore, Ulas envisions an interior resembling a sports bar and a back patio resembling a beer garden.
The patio could serve as an event venue, he added.
In pursuit of his vision, Ulas said he is introducing different staging, improved acoustic systems and lighting.
A Sultan’s Kebab food truck will be posted everyday in the venue’s parking lot, he added.
“I wanted to bring something new, exciting and cool to downtown Livermore to share with the community,” Ulas said.
Backstage Livermore was open serving beer and alcoholic shots as of June 10. Ulas intends to host a grand opening event for the business after July 1.
