Despite malfunctioning elevators, the newly renovated Padre Hotel opened its doors to curious visitors Monday morning. Photo by Terry Telford

A giant mural reading “That dog’ll hunt” graces the wall behind the front desk in the lobby of the Padre Hotel. Photo by Terry Telford

Workers spent Monday morning figuring out what was wrong with the elevators, then had to order equipment to be sent overnight. Photo by Jennifer Baldwin

The tables are set in the Belvedere Room, a fine dining restaurant inside the Padre Hotel. Photo by Terry Telford

The neon lights of the Padre Hotel sign were bright at dawn Monday, the morning of the historic hotel’s soft opening. Photo by Terry Telford.

From left to right, baristas Natalie Wolfe and Arleisha Johnson report for duty with their manager Lindsay Parks at the Farmacy Café inside the Padre Hotel. Photo by Terry Telford

By Jennifer Baldwin

The baristas were ready at their stations in the new Farmacy Cafe. But despite all the caffeine, it was a rather slow start to the much-anticipated opening of the Padre Hotel on Monday morning.

The glitch: The hotel’s public elevators developed a mechanical issue over the weekend, according to Steve Smith, vice president of operations for Eat, Drink and Sleep, the San Diego-based company that owns the hotel.

And since the restrooms are downstairs from the lobby, hotel visitors unable to navigate the stairs weren’t able to take the elevator either.

“It wouldn’t be fair if someone comes in and needs to use the restroom,” Smith said. “So we made the call to hold off until we get the elevators fixed.”

Last minute details like this are what soft openings are all about, he said. Not only are the elevators being fixed, but there are still decorative signage and graphics to install, furniture on its way for the bar areas, and final inspections to be done.

Still, management left the doors unlocked Monday morning for curious visitors to walk through the lobby, get a cup of complimentary coffee from the café, and marvel at the décor and architecture inside the renovated, historic building.

Realtor Katy Glentzer, who lives downtown, popped in for a cup of coffee and was stunned by the beauty.

“I’m just excited for it to come back to life,” she said. “One thing great about it is they’re going to be open late. So there will be a fun, hip place to come hang out for wine and coffee.”

“It’s nice to have a big city feel to our town,” she said.

The Farmacy Café is just one part of the four-venue first floor. The other areas include the Brimstone Bar (casual dining and bar), the Prospect Lounge (music and entertainment), and the Belvedere Room (fine dining). There is also an outdoor bar on the second floor called Prairie Fire.

The plan is to keep the café and bars open until at least midnight seven days a week, Smith said, giving people a sophisticated option for hanging out downtown after hours, such as after seeing a show at one of the theaters. There will be a dress code for the Prospect Lounge and increased security at night and on weekends, Smith said.

Smith says he sees the Padre as being a leader in downtown redevelopment. He likened the project to the company’s trailblazing Tower23 project in San Diego. After completion of the upscale hotel and bar, five or six other similar establishments have joined the neighborhood.

“People will go there because they know they can hit up multiple places,” he said. “We can be a bit of a standard bearer downtown.”

As the buzz has been growing louder for the Padre’s opening, people have already been booking events. The first event was held Jan. 18, a fundraiser for county supervisor candidate Zack Scrivner. Since then, two other private parties have been held, and more have been added to the books — including two weddings. Guests are also booking rooms, although the first expected guest for tonight has been moved to another hotel due to the elevator issue, Smith said.

Unfortunately, the piece of equipment necessary to fix the elevators is not available locally. So it will be overnighted and hopefully installed tomorrow, according to Smith. Then the elevator will need to be inspected for clearance.

“There is a slight chance we’ll open for dinner tomorrow night,” Smith said. “But for now the plan is to open Wednesday.”

The baristas will be waiting.

Editor’s Note: The staff of Bakersfield Express will be taking a full tour of the hotel for an online story and video Thursday, as well as attending a tasting event Thursday night to review a selection of menu items available at the Padre Hotel. Be sure to read and watch our full coverage this weekend at BakersfieldExpress.org.