Blacksmith Square

I don’t think this place is 1 star, I actually think it’s 4, but I want the people who hire the bands to take this seriously.
We stopped by here on 05/​30/​2015 around 9 pm. We sat down, had wine, beer, and watched the band.
The band.
The band was great. Then the lead singer picked up a bucket, strung it over his guitar, and probed the audience for tips. Literally. He walked around and shoved it in everyone’s face. It was the most disgusting, unflattering, and unprofessional thing I’ve ever seen. It made me want to leave. And we did.
Begging for people’s money, because yes, that is begging, in an environment where your guests are trying to enjoy themselves and relax is the most trashiest, unattractive thing ever. I watched as people hurriedly opened their wallets, whether they wanted to or not, because they were being put on the spot. No thanks.
And when the lead singer made his way toward me, bucket in my face, I said NOPE! Sorry I’m not sorry!
People are trying to enjoy themselves. They’ll tip you when they want to, and if they want to. It’s not necessary to tip, which I made clear to Mr. Money-​Hungry singer.
Huge turn off and makes the businesses look extremely bad. If I knew that band would be there, «I want sum mo’» antics in tow, I would choose to sit at home with my thumb up my ass.

Fun for wine and beer tasting! Get a bottle and sit outside listening to some music! Good time for all!

I should have checked this place out much sooner… outdoor seating, beer, wine, food and music! What a cool place… and it’s not too snobby (must be us beer drinkers who even out the place :) I’m going back soon — real soon!

Great hang out! Blacksmith square has a great outdoor patio area for meeting up with friends. Also it has the greatest gift store called artistic edge.

Even better now with the addition of SWIRL …
«Swirl is a local „Wine Lounge“ with a focus on pouring outstanding wines paired with tantalizing small plates (tapas). The vision of Swirl is to provide you with an authentic Livermore Wine Country experience. The owner, Rocco Maitino, hails from two other popular local restaurants (Trio at Stony Ridge and Casa Madrid). Now with his new solo venture, Swirl on the Square, the vision is to pull from some of the favorite menu selections found at the previous locations and showcase them, along with all new creations, at this new and unique dining location.» from the Swirl website
… and also TAP 25
«We are beer lovers who decided to create a place that people could come to enjoy the world of American Craft Beer. By creating an intimate setting with beautiful outdoor seating we wanted to have a place that’s all about the beer. Good Beer. You won’t find big corporate beer here, just the great tastes of American Craft Brewers from across the nation. We are always rotating 25 handles of the rare, the favorite and the crazy flavors that make up this beer revolution. «from the TAP 25 website

Remember when there were 5 or so wineries that had tasting rooms at Blacksmith Square? Those were the days. I would hang out there with my friends, share a bottle in the courtyard and enjoy the sun and some snacks. Im sad that BWH, Coyne and Retzlaff have moved on, but glad that JCC has hung on there. I dont have much to say about swirl because they are either closed for a special event or just closed between lunch and dinner when I am there… but from what I understand they are good. With most of the wineries gone, I dont have much reason to go there, but I wish them luck… its a fantastic location and I hope they do well.

Wine Tasting, Tapas, Artisan Olive Oils, Music on Saturday afternoons 3−6pm (Seasonal), Specialty BBQ Shop and a cool courtyard… if you have an hour on a Saturday afternoon consider a visit because the atmosphere is great. Most of the shops are open Thursday to Sunday.

Stopped by on a gorgeous Saturday afternoon to listen to Stones Throw rock the house. Great music, good wine and family happened to be there too. Even the grandparents were dancing!

Wine tasting can NOT be more convenient!
I only had two hours to celebrate my birthday with my hubby, so I chose Blacksmith Square. There was a special event that involved not only pourings by five wineries, but a live band and free food!
We snagged the last table (note to self: bring chairs just in case) and rocked out to Papa’s Garage. Hubby ordered some tapas from the new restaurant, Swirl. I got my tasting on at Hidden Creek and Retzlaff and enjoyed every minute of it. Do yourself a favor and come on down!
By the way, all my tastings were free because it was my birthday. I can’t guarantee you the same success though. It just might be my charm…

Be here or be square? I’ll be at the square thanks! hehe… this is a great stop on a saturday and the restroom facilities aren’t eve gross :)

This Blacksmith Square concept is pure genius on the part of Livermore vineyards, and a whole lot of fun to visit (be sure to have a designated driver!). There are a bunch of boutiques for a myriad of small wineries in the area, and each is unique and fun to visit. The people staffing the boutiques have a genuine enthusiasm for the wineries they work for, and a lot of information to share about their winery in particular, and the region in general. If you only make one stop in the Livermore wine valley this is the one to make! And once you’ve had a couple tastes, you’ll probably rethink the whole «one stop» concept anyway.

Our «Biking and Wining» tour thru Livermore wine valley started here at Blacksmith Square. With a large parking lot just across the street, this was the perfect place for a bunch of perpetually late people to gather up. Those arriving ontime could start tasting at any of the 5 – 6 wineries with tasting rooms here.
We checked out John Christopher Cellars and peaked around in Thomas Coyne. I was suprised by the large courtyard with ample tables and seating to be so empty … probably because the entire square is made up of the wineries. They should throw in a Quickly, Jamba Juice and Coldstone into the mix … that way jr can get some ice cream and mommy can add a shot of merlot to her strawberry banana smoothie.