Rodman’s club takes on new look, owner’s name

Alicia Robinson

Hoops celebrity Dennis Rodman may have moved to Huntington Beach, but

his name lives on in Newport -- or it did starting last weekend, at

least.

Rodman has reopened his restaurant and club, formerly called Josh

Slocum’s, and now appropriately named Rodman’s.

“There’s been no change in ownership,” said Pat Connors, the

club’s general manager. “We just figured we’ve got a celebrity name;

we might as well use it.”

Rodman had a reopening party last weekend at the club.

A consultant was hired to plan a new menu including the freshest

seasonal fish and the “Rodman burger,” made from pricy Kobe beef,

Connors said.

The club was redone inside, with marble and gold decor,

custom-made booths, plasma screen televisions and a 10-foot,

high-definition screen for special events.

“We just did that because that’s the way Dennis is,” Connors said.

“He likes to change things up, keep things fresh.”

He said people have liked the new look. To make sure the club

could open Friday night, city building inspectors had to work

overtime, said Jay Elbettar, Newport Beach building department

director.

“I’m not sure of the specific hour, but I would assume 8 to 9:30

at night,” he said.

The club has had its ups and downs. It had to be remodeled after a

July 2002 fire nearly gutted it, and the Newport Beach City Council

rejected a request in August to increase the club’s occupancy and

allow live entertainment and dancing.

“In that particular area, across the bay from there, people are

concerned about late-night noise being generated from all the

different restaurants around there,” said City Councilman Don Webb,

who represents the area of Coast Highway that includes Rodman’s.

At the council hearings, Newport Beach police said they had

responded to a large number of calls at the club in the past year,

and council members considered that, Webb said.

While he wishes Rodman’s redesigned club the success he wishes all

Mariner’s Mile businesses, Webb said it’s not likely to become his

hangout.

“If it’s the type of music and loud noise I think it will be,

that’s not the type of place I enjoy going to,” he said.

“Both my sons are more into that.”

* ALICIA ROBINSON covers business, politics and the environment.

She may be reached at (714) 966-4626 or by e-mail at

alicia.robinson@latimes.com.