New East Bay Beer Garden Brings The Community Together

ALAMEDA, CA — A new beer garden has sprung to life on Park Street, and it's already become a hotspot for Alamedans to gather. Called "Park Station," it's the creation of Dan and Melody Thebeau, who spent the summer prepping for last week's grand opening.

"We've had a great reception," said Dan Thebeau, co-owner of Park Station. He and his wife, Melody, also own SacYard Community Taphouse in Sacramento.

Alameda is home to a handful of breweries at Alameda Point, a former Naval Air Station. Park Station's location in downtown Alameda differentiates it from the other offerings.

"It's distinctive with that much outdoor space in the middle of town," said Thebeau.

Park Station boasts approximately 10,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space with plenty of seating, including long wooden tables with benches and circular tables atop large beer barrels with metal stools surrounding them.

It's taken over the former site of Big O Tires, where Thebeau used to get his truck serviced when he lived on the island with his family. His familiarity with the spot, which includes a main building, a smaller one, and a spacious area in front of them, sealed the deal.

"When it came up for sale, [because] we knew the building, it was the only thing that we looked at in Alameda," he said. They bought it approximately three years ago, and while it took some time to construct, it's now come to fruition.

Park Station has 30 rotating craft beers on tap from local breweries such as Faction Brewing in Alameda; Otherwise Brewing in San Francisco; Original Pattern Brewing Company, Ghost Town Brewing, and Cellarmaker Brewing Company in Oakland; Fieldwork Brewing Company in Berkeley; and Drake's Brewing Company in San Leandro. There's also a selection of wine, cider, seltzer and non-alcoholic beverages on the menu.

Food-wise, the East Bay eatery Southie, co-owned by Rich and Rebekah Wood, has moved in, offering bites that stand up on their own but also complement drink offerings. It's Southie's second location, with their original spot on College Avenue in Oakland. The Woods own two other restaurants: Wood Tavern, also with a College Avenue address, and The Wolf on Piedmont Avenue.

"When we bought the space, we approached Rich about being our food partner, and he checked out the space and was immediately in," said Thebeau. "We're pretty fortunate to get someone who's so established, produces great food and is a reliable partner."

The space is family-friendly, dogs are welcome in the patio area, and the plan is to have live music outside at least a few days a month. Thebeau's considering featuring musicians inside as well.

"We're not quite sure how it's going to sound in there," he said. "The ceilings are 18-feet tall, so we're just going to try it out and see. Hopefully it'll work."

Park Station, located at 1200 Park St., Alameda, is open Monday from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Wednesday and Thursday from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday from 1 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Saturday from 12 p.m. to 11 p.m.; and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. It's closed on Tuesdays.