Mission Bay Pub Opens amid Cheers

In the spirit of St. Patrick's Day, a bright green ribbon stretched between two beer taps at the grand opening of the Pub at UCSF Mission Bay last Friday. At the count of three, Peter Walter, PhD, and Joe DeRisi, PhD, professors from the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Louis Ptacek, MD, from the Department of Neurology and Stella Hsu, associate vice chancellor of Campus Life Services, reached out and cut the large ribbon amid loud cheering from many onlookers. "From day one, having a pub here was on the agenda," said Walter during his precutting ceremony speech. "These places serve as the focal point for the most interesting discussions." This sentiment was shared by many attending the lively afternoon affair. DeRisi said he likes the casual atmosphere and plans to hold some of his lab meetings there. And Ptacek agreed. "Every new thing that opens on this campus makes it more vibrant," he said. "Scientists frequently come together over a beer. Science is so interactive." Al Minvielle, director of Campus Life Services, said giving scientists and staff a place to come together is one of the main goals of this pub. He said former UCSF Chancellor Haile Debas, MD, former dean of the School of Medicine and now executive director of Global Health Sciences, was the true spearhead of the project, though Debas couldn't attend the opening party. After noticing pubs like this at university campuses around the world, Debas realized they were an integral piece of campus life, Minvielle said. "To have a collaborative community and an exchange of ideas, you need to have places like this," he said as he pointed to a large group of young scholars lounging on sofas and drinking beer dyed green for St. Patrick's Day. "I was a little skeptical at first, but this is an amazing success."

Joey Convento of Campus Life Services serves as disc jockey for a day.

In fact, as the grand-opening festivities continued, groups of researchers began settling down at tables in the Pub, some nestled under the beautifully arched red and purple ceilings across from the bar, others scattered in the large, airy room adjacent to the atrium. While a few groups watched a basketball game on the large flat-screen TV over the bar, most chatted and listened to music played by guest disc jockey Joey Convento of Campus Life Services. Brian Long, a researcher from the Gladstone Institute of Virology and Immunology across the street, came to celebrate the grand opening with three colleagues. He said he's glad to have an alternative to Café 24 at Genentech Hall, and will definitely be coming to the Pub for lunch in the future. Long Time Coming
The opening of the Pub, as it's simply called, signals the completion of the Mission Bay Community Center. In addition to providing a place for great minds to come together, the Pub supports the Mission Bay conference center with a full production kitchen. And a portion of the proceeds from campus vendors supports Campus Life Services, which enhances the quality of life for the UCSF community. "This has been long coming," said Hsu. "With the opening of this pub, the conference center is complete. It feels like there is finally closure to this project, which began seven years ago." The community center started with a fitness center, said Hsu. Then a student health center and library were added. "And this is the final piece," she said.

Faculty, staff and students attend the March 17 grand opening of the Pub at UCSF Mission Bay.

As more and more people joined the celebration, waiters in black could be seen weaving through the crowd, carrying plates bulging with large hamburgers perched atop heaps of French fries. Behind the bar, a long. glass-fronted cabinet held many different kinds of wine. And, of course, the festive green-colored beer was flowing. Located on the first floor of the community center, the Pub faces east and opens out onto Koret Quad. Soon outside seating will be available, giving patrons the opportunity to enjoy breakfast or lunch alfresco. "This is a wonderful place," said Eric Vermillion, associate vice chancellor of finance. "It was worth the money." For more information about the Pub, contact Chris Dowler, 415/514-4700. Photos: Nancy Heller Source: Aria Pearson