CONCORD, CALIFORNIA — After more than two years of anticipation, missed opening targets, and plenty of questions from residents, Blast & Brew has finally opened its doors in downtown Concord.
The California-based restaurant and tap house is now serving customers at 2151 Salvio Street, Suite L, at the corner of Grant and Salvio streets, right on Todos Santos Plaza.
The restaurant occupies the former E.J. Phair Brewing Company location, bringing food and craft beer back to a prominent downtown space that had remained vacant for years.
We stopped by and confirmed in person that the restaurant is indeed open and operating!
A Restaurant Opening More Than Two Years in the Making
For Concord residents, this opening has been a long time coming.
Plans for Blast & Brew at the former E.J. Phair location were publicly reported as far back as August 2024. A restaurant menu distributed that summer even advertised Concord as opening in summer 2024.
That deadline passed without an opening.
By December 2025, Bay Area Telegraph food critic Richard Eber was still questioning whether the restaurant would ever begin serving customers. E.J. Phair had previously operated at the location for approximately 22 years.
Then, in October 2026, a new banner appeared on the building promising an opening at the end of the month.
As Bay Area Telegraph reported at the time, the announcement was encouraging, but hardly a guarantee after so many delays.
This time, however, the promise became reality.
Local diners began reporting visits around October 26, and the restaurant has since published its full Concord menu online.
What’s on the Menu at Blast & Brew?
Blast & Brew describes itself as an American eatery and tap house emphasizing comfort food, artisan pizza, and craft beer.
Its newly published Concord menu offers a broad selection of casual dishes, including burgers, sandwiches, wings, salads, and pizzas baked in a fire-brick oven.
Some menu highlights include:
- Margherita Pizza — $17: Fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, basil, and olive oil.
- Rodeo Burger — $19.50: Angus beef, bacon, onion rings, cheddar, and barbecue sauce, served with fries.
- Bavarian Pretzel — $13.50: Served warm with cheese sauce and spicy mustard.
- Chicken Wings — $17.50: Available with sauces including classic Buffalo, mango habanero, and Nashville Fire.
- California Burger — $20: Angus beef topped with bacon, avocado, cheddar, and vegetables.
- Cajun Mac & Cheese — $19: Featuring spicy sausage, blackened chicken, vegetables, and a five-cheese sauce.
The pizza selection includes traditional favorites alongside more unusual combinations, including fig, prosciutto, and arugula pizza for $20.
There are also vegetarian choices, build-your-own pizzas, desserts, and a children’s menu with options starting at $8.
Prices are based on the restaurant’s published menu and may change.
Craft Beer Is a Major Attraction
Beyond food, Blast & Brew’s biggest selling point is its self-pour craft beverage concept.
The company advertises more than 26 rotating craft beers and wines across its locations, allowing customers to explore different styles and sample drinks rather than committing to a full pour.
The Concord location has been reported to feature 22 rotating taps, although the available selection may change.
The concept positions Blast & Brew as both a casual restaurant and a gathering place for customers interested in craft beverages.
It also adds another option to downtown Concord’s growing beer scene, which already includes nearby establishments such as The Hop Grenade.
Another Downtown Concord Restaurant Space Comes Back to Life
Blast & Brew’s arrival brings activity back to that corner at a time when other nearby restaurant spaces are also undergoing changes.
Sultan’s Kebab is preparing to take over the former Lima restaurant, another long-vacant space in the Salvio Pacheco Square development.
Together, the two projects could help restore some of the restaurant activity that once made this stretch of downtown a popular dining destination.
For residents who have watched the Blast & Brew signs for the past two years, though, the most important development is a simple one: the doors are finally open.
Location and Opening Hours
Blast & Brew Concord
Address: 2151 Salvio Street, Suite L, Concord, CA 94520
Hours:
- Monday through Thursday: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Friday and Saturday: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Sunday: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Phone: (925) 510-2159
The restaurant is located at Grant and Salvio streets, near Todos Santos Plaza. Hours are subject to change, particularly during the opening period.
The full menu and additional information are available on the Blast & Brew website.
