With views of its namesake mountains, the Sandia Bar, at 4445 Corrales Road, has officially reopened after an extensive renovation and is welcoming guests under new management.
Patrons can enjoy a selection of Corrales-themed cocktails, including The Wagner, the Corrales Cowboy and the Bosque Stroll.
Established in 1948 and rooted in the village’s history, Sandia Bar has been restored by new owners following the death of longtime operator Steve Chavez, whose family ran the bar continuously until 2018.
While preserving its traditional adobe walls, the new owners updated Sandia Bar with a larger patio and refreshed interiors, maintaining its historic charm. General Manager Lane McIntyre has worked to transform it into a revitalized space for both locals and visitors.
“They’ve always wanted to have a bar,” McIntyre said of the new owners. “They saw this opportunity show up and jumped on the chance to be involved and get it reinvigorated.”
The renovations were as monumental as the bar’s significance to the village. The new owners expanded the interior, nearly doubling the bar’s square footage, and added a new patio and rooftop area. They preserved classic elements, such as vintage Budweiser and Schlitz signs, while transforming the family’s private area into part of the new space.
McIntyre said the biggest challenge was balancing preservation with modernization, ensuring the bar honored its past while updating and rebuilding.
“A lot of thought went into the design and styling,” he said. They incorporated truth windows to reveal the original adobe walls.
Although the bar is open, the kitchen is still under construction. Management plans to offer “elevated bar food” once it is completed and a chef is hired, targeting the end of the year or sooner, according to McIntyre.
Until the kitchen is completed, the bar is partnering with local food trucks to provide dining options. Trucks like Wanna Taco Bout Burgers and BigBoss HotLinks are on a rotating schedule, offering a variety of options until the kitchen is ready.
The management team preserved traditional bar favorites, such as the pool tables and jukebox. They plan to introduce live music in the future, likely on a seasonal basis, depending on local regulations.
“Remaining a pinnacle here in the village and making sure everybody’s having a great time” are the long-term goals of Sandia Bar, according to McIntyre.
Hours:
2 to 10 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 11 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday.
Contact:
4445 Corrales Road
505-835-5983