Katie Sherwin and her son, Oliver, spend an afternoon at Bobby G’s in Berkeley, Calif., waiting to hear back from a women’s shelter to see if there is room for them to sleep overnight. The Sherwins stayed at the shelter for several weeks before moving to a town an hour away. Bobby G’s opened in 2006. Since then it has thrived with live music and a popular trivia night. The establishment also attracts an eclectic mix of regulars and employees who laugh, drink, cry and argue with one another.
Oliver Sherwin, center, entertains new owner Randeep Rekhi, second from right, and his friends outside Bobby G’s during a celebration on Robert Gaustad’s last day of operating the establishment. Ten years after opening Bobby G’s, Gaustad sold the restaurant to two brothers, Randeep and Karandeep Rekhi. “I was always exhausted working seven day weeks,” Gaustad said. “So, I got a much-deserved reputation as somewhat of a curmudgeon. But, hey, I blame the employees and customers.”
A crowd filled to capacity watches a Golden State Warriors playoff basketball game at Bobby G’s. Even though space was tight, regulars, including Michael Goodbar, lower right, found a seat while Eddie Garcia, far left, had to settle for outside standing-room only.
David Blake reads a book as employees close down Bobby G’s for the night.
Tito Gonzalez and Jade Austin talk during a brief break from taking orders and serving food during Trivia Night at Bobby G’s.
Matt Northrup, left, and Sama’a Djomehri finish their last beer before closing.
Michael Goodbar plays with Bogart outside Bobby G’s.
From left, Stevin Bocchini, Chris Costes, Chantal Quezada, Navi Hundal, Sama’a Djomehri and Michael Goodbar react upon Todd Fulton’s arrival for his 40th surprise birthday party. A mix of regulars and employees — who met individually at Bobby G’s — attended the party.
Chantal Quezada, center, an employee at Bobby G’s, joins the group for a dance party at regular Kim Lucas’ house.
Tibor Lageman feeds a cardboard cutout of Queen Elizabeth during an “Escape from Britain” 4th of July party at Kim Lucas’ house.
Chris Bray burns a cardboard cutout of Donald Trump during an “Escape from Britain” 4th of July party.
Donald Trump’s hand burns after a cardboard cutout of the former president was set on fire during an “Escape from Britain” 4th of July party.
Berkeley firefighters battle a blaze that destroyed a 7-story building under construction across the street from Bobby G’s. Because of concerns the building could collapse, Bobby G’s closed down for nearly a week — impacting a business already strained due to the pandemic.
A door is boarded up after a passerby broke the glass at Bobby G’s.
A face mask rests on the floor amidst shattered-glass after a passerby broke a window.
A photograph of a younger Robert Gaustad adorns a wall at Bobby G’s. When the Rekhi brothers took over the establishment they remodeled the restaurant hoping to attract a “hipper” crowd.
Karandeep Rekhi feeds Bogart, a dog belonging to a regular, a piece of chicken at closing time.
Employees and regulars raise their glasses in honor of Keith "Keithling" McNabb, an employee at Bobby G’s who died from a form of oral cancer.
A customer brings a pet into Bobby G’s.
Tibor Lageman and Leland von Kugelgen celebrate during a Golden State Warriors playoff basketball game.
Leland von Kugelgen makes a tower from coasters on a slow night at Bobby G’s.
Keith "Keithling" McNabb smokes a cigarette during a break working in the kitchen.
Lisa Barbato gazes into the street after working a full shift.
Sama’a Djomehri and Jay Fitzgibbons arm wrestle outside Bobby G’s.
Jacob Johnston waits for customers at Bobby G’s. During the pandemic, customers could only sit outside or order food to-go.
Tibor Lageman and Chuck Griffin help build a parklet for Bobby G’s during the pandemic.
Customers enjoy food at the parklet outside Bobby G’s. Dubbed the “Paul Erickson Parklet” after a longtime regular, the parklet was built by regulars — led by Tibor Lageman — at no cost and using discarded wood from nearby construction sites. "I couldn’t believe when the building of the ‘Paul Erikson Parklet’ was announced,” Nate Duffy, a regular, said. “That Tibor would be hustling up the materials as well as designing and building the parklet on behalf of Randeep without any charges. Now that’s real community."
Leland von Kugelgen smokes a cigarette outside Bobby G’s.
Robert Gaustad closes down the establishment for the final time as owner of Bobby G’s. Gaustad retired for a few years then opened a hamburger restaurant in Petaluma amidst the pandemic. "Bobby G’s Pizzeria turned out to be the exact place I envisioned,” Gaustad said. “I told people if I was going to have to be there every day, I wanted my favorite things in the restaurant – pizza, beer, wine, sports, politics, blues, and great, great customers."