In mid-January, Pivot Craft Kitchen and Sports Bar opened in Hacienda near the Four Points by Sheraton hotel. The new tenant is part of Sabio Hospitality Group, founded by Jim McDonnell, Rikin Lakhani, and Chef Francis X. Hogan. According to Beth Crotty, Director of Sales and Marketing for the company, the founders created the group because they saw a gap in the East Bay for certain types of food and beverage concepts and wanted to fill those pockets intentionally with quality product, thoughtful design, and genuine hospitality. Today the group operates several concepts in the Tri-Valley, including Sabio on Main and Crush’d Wine Bar + Kitchen.

“Pivot plays a unique role because it brings together elevated food, sports, events, and hospitality in one large, flexible space,” Crotty says. “Pivot is one of our newest openings, and we chose Hacienda because it’s such a strong and growing business and community hub in the Tri-Valley. The location gives us great visibility, access to both corporate and local guests, and a chance to be part of an active neighborhood where people already live, work, and gather.” The new venue is opening in a few phases. The bar side of the restaurant, which seats 81 guests, is open for business between 6:30 am and 10 pm. The menu now features breakfast items, such as avocado toast; lunch items, including a Brandt Beef Prime Double Burger; and a host of appetizers. Pivot serves non-alcoholic beverages as well as beer, wine, and cocktails. The menu will expand significantly after the main dining room opens, which is expected in March. Catering will also be available in March.

People are often surprised by how intentional Pivot’s food program is for a sports bar, according to Crotty. “Our founding chef and partner, Francis Hogan, designed the menu to be very approachable, but everything is done at a higher level. Even our ketchup is made in house from scratch. In Phase Two, we’ll roll out more of the menu with steaks, chops, king salmon, baked rigatoni, and other entrées.”

Once the venue is fully opened, the variety of spaces will set Pivot apart from other sports bars. Topgolf-style bays upstairs and four private event suites and spaces downstairs will allow Pivot to host everything from corporate events and team outings to birthdays and celebrations. A big part of what makes Pivot unique in this market is the focus on creating a place for the community that also serves delicious meals.

“At Pivot, what makes us special is that we’re not just a sports bar,” notes Crotty. “We’re a scratch kitchen with elevated food, a full cocktail and beer program, private dining and event spaces. We want Pivot to be a place where people feel genuinely welcomed, whether they’re coming in for a game, a family dinner, a celebration, or a business event. It’s going to be a big year for sports in the Bay Area. This summer we’ll be showing the FIFA World Cup, with 39 days of incredible matches and events. We hope to become Pleasanton’s go to spot to watch sports and gather with friends and family.”

For more information about Pivot Craft Kitchen and Sports Bar, please visit www.pivotpleasanton.com, www.instagram.com/pivotpleasanton or call (925) 800-7655.