Today we’d like to introduce you to Kara Godfrey.
Kara, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I moved to LA in early 2018 from England because my ex lived here. Yes, yes I know. I’ve always been a hopeless romantic and I don’t regret the move at all.
I used to have a Social Media Management company in England but I found it rather boring and felt my move to the US handed me the opportunity for a fresh start!
That’s when I came up with the concept of miniature golf and booze. I’ve always been a risk-taker and there was no greater thrill than creating a space where, well, quite frankly, I had no idea if people would buy tickets or not!
I had some change in my pocket and crowdfunded the remaining amount, bringing the first Hole 19 Bar pop-up to life in Beverly Grove. After its huge success, we moved to Huntington Beach in the summer of 2019. Again this pop-up was another smash with floor to ceiling windows and ocean views.
Soon after we developed the concept for our Christmas Bar, ‘Santa Baby’ which came to life in Echo Park over Christmas of last year.
Since COVID, things fell quiet for us until recently where we picked up Hole 19 Bar and moved out of state to Las Vegas where we are currently in the middle of our six-week run!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It hasn’t been the smoothest road, like with any business there is a lot to overcome. From liquor licensing to overcoming difficulties in my personal life, it’s safe to say the past few years haven’t been boring! COVID certainly took the wind out of our sales for a while.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
We are unique! And that is what we are complimented on the most. It’s a small business but anyone who has visited or knows me personally sees the potential we have. The concept is fresh and we create an intimate environment fueled by fun!
We have custom cocktails such as ‘Tigers Tonic’ and ‘British Bastard’, purely because the bar is based around a 1920’s British theme. We are also hugely popular with Birthdays and corporate events. We love to bring people together.
Being female-owned and LGBTQ+ advocates is something I am most proud of. Representation is important.
I also have my own podcast, ‘X’s and Oh’s’ which was created coming off the back of my heartbreak in late 2019. I felt like I needed a creative outlet and it has become my own sort of therapy! It’s LGBTQ+ heartbreak, love, sex and everything else all wrapped into one!
What were you like growing up?
I was trouble! I didn’t like the ‘norm’, it just wasn’t for me. If someone was being naughty at school, it was ALWAYS me. I hated the idea of not being able to have my own freedom, it made me feel claustrophobic. I was also friends with everyone, I never had a specific friend group which is one of the reasons I think I love bringing people together at H19.
I also played semi-pro tennis as a teenager and as a result, I am extremely competitive. But now I struggle to even get myself into the gym. LOL
I was truly inspired by my mom as a kid too, even though I don’t think I realized it till much later in life. She was a female business owner and a badass. I believe it’s why I never really worked for anyone else and have always wanted to be doing my own thing.
Contact Info:
- Address: Current: 420 South Rampart BLVD, Suite 240, Las Vegas, Nevada, 89145
- Website: www.hole19bar.com
- Phone: 8185248015
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/hole19bar
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hole19bar
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