Relativity Bar and Grill

Christine Kaleikini, 377th Force Support Squadron operations officer, shows a Relativity Bar and Grille glass to 377th Air Base Wing Commander Col. Eric Froehlich. Relativity patrons will be able to buy a glass, have it engraved with their name at the Arts & Crafts Center and then store and use it at the bar. (Photo by Jamie Burnett)

Relativity Bar and Grill

The newly renovated bar and grill at the Mountain View Club has been open for a few months, it finally received its new name of Relativity Bar and Grill at a First Friday event March 4. The bar is becoming a popular spot for patrons; it saw more than 400 customers for a recent viewing of a UFC mixed martial arts fight. (Photo by Jamie Burnett)

Relativity Bar and Grill

Three state-of-the-art 80 inch ultra high definition televisions adorn the walls of the newly renovated bar and grill at the Mountain View Club. The bar, called Relativity Bar and Grill, is becoming a popular spot for patrons; it saw more than 400 customers for a recent viewing of a UFC mixed martial arts fight. (Photo by Jamie Burnett)

MVC bar and grill gets renovations, new name

Published March 9, 2016
By Kendahl Johnson
Kirtland Public Affairs

KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- While the newly renovated bar and grill at the Mountain View Club has been open for a few months, it finally received its new name at a First Friday event March 4.

The establishment, which closed in June 2015 for about six months for renovations, has been named Relativity Bar and Grille. The name helps pay tribute to Kirtland's atomic history.

The changes to the bar were not minor.

The old bar was completely gutted, getting a new design and an all new interior, including new walls, floors and ceiling. The new furniture is top quality, and three state-of-the-art, 80-inch ultra high definition televisions adorn the walls.

Denis Hansard, 377th Force Support Squadron sustainment flight chief, said the new look is more in line to what people expect when they go to a nice restaurant downtown.

"The quality and functionality has greatly improved the service we can provide to the guests," he said. "Before there was more of a pub feel. The ambiance has changed and there is a different atmosphere now."

Brandy Prendes, club manager, agreed. She said the changes have made a major difference in not just the look of the bar, but also the feel.

"It's got more of an upper-class feeling," she said. "We've received a lot of great feedback."

The project cost about $400,000.

Hansard said one of the biggest expenses was removing swamp coolers and adding air conditioning. He expects that in the hot summer months, having an air conditioned place to relax and enjoy a cold beverage will have great appeal. The new tap has a refrigerated line, he added.

Dinner is served Thursday and Friday nights, with standard offerings such as appetizers, sandwiches and burgers. Hansard said the next phase of the renovation project will be a complete overhaul of the kitchen to help increase speed of service and improve the quality of food. He hopes to expand the number of nights dinner is served.

Relativity has already seen great success. More than 400 people filled the establishment to enjoy the recent marquee UFC mixed martial arts fights.

"It was amazing," said Christine Kaleikini, 377th FSS operations officer. "If people haven't been over there yet, they really should stop by and see all the amazing changes."

Hansard said they plan to open the patio in May, with brand new patio furniture.