Late 1980s Cabo was a small little nothing fishing town. Rock and Roll superstar Sammy Hagar saw it as a get away spot where he could unwind away from the crowds, away from the press, and enjoy some beach life. He decided to build a a little bar there with a small stage to goof around on when on vacation with his musician buddies.
While it was getting built he was away touring with Van Halen. On the road discussing the ongoing construction of Cabo Wabo Cantina with the builders he never noticed that the Mexican architectural plans were in square meters instead of square feet.
When he finally got to see Cabo Wabo in real life towards the end of the project the place was huge! Way too big for such a small town like Cabo.
Then Van Halen's Cabo Wabo song was a big hit. Cabo San Lucas became a spring break destination - a year-round vacation spot. Cabo San Lucas grew very large and Cabo Wabo Cantina became a must see in the center of all.
Sammy Hagar looked like a genius for building a club large enough for big crowds :)
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Cabo+Wabo+Cantina
Cabo Wabo
has come a long way since its MTV advertised premiere birthed a brand new Spring Break destination. Originally opened in 1990 by Sammy Hagar and his then Van Halen bandmates - who can forget the eponymous song from their OU812 album?Cabo Wabo has since become a mandatory stop for just about everyone who visits Cabo San Lucas, even cruise ship passengers who only come ashore for a few hours.
It's a complete lifestyle experience, albeit one which continues to revolve around live music. A house band jams good-time rock n' roll seven nights a week, with occasional cameos from visiting country and rock stars. But there are other reasons beyond boogying down to stop by, from "waboritas" (the house version of the margarita) to comfort food specialty dishes and souvenir t-shirts.
The best time to visit is during October, when "The Red Rocker" himself hosts his annual birthday bashes with plenty of big-name guests.https://www.10best.com/destinations/mexico/cabo-san-lucas/downtown/nightlife/cabo-wabo-cantina
The Cabo Wabo Cantina Story:
Who better to tell the story of the Cabo Wabo Cantina than Mr. Cabo Wabo himself, Sammy Hagar. And we quote:The Cabo Wabo Cantina has generated enormous curiosity from the day it opened. At first, it was because of the time and place.
In 1990, Cabo San Lucas was pretty small for such an elaborate nightclub. Later, when this town at the tip of Baja California grew into the prominent vacation destination that it is today, it seemed as if I had looked into a crystal ball.
The truth is that the concept was evolutionary and the reality of what it has become is based on small steps, a lot of mistakes, a few good people and tons of luck.
When I arrived in Cabo San Lucas for the first time in the early '80s, I fell in love with the town. It was just a fishing village then with only one major hotel. No phones no television and no newspaper.
On my second visit, I met Jorge Viana, who now manages the Cantina, and told him that I wanted to open a tequila bar with a small stage so I could perform there when the mood struck me. 'Any musician who wants to will be able to play there,' I told him.
Jorge regarded me with the politeness that Latinos reserve for dreamers. But I persisted and only convinced him that I was serious after I brought him to the United States and had him as my guest at a concert in San Diego.
By then, I was already in Van Halen and had written the song "Cabo Wabo" with Eddie Van Halen. But the Cantina was always my project and not the band's.
Jorge and I then started shopping for properties. When we had the property we wanted, we held a contest among local architects in Cabo San Lucas. The winner was Marco Monroy. I was happy that it was Marco, because he and I had already become friends.
When Marco brought his design to me in Los Angeles, I was impressed, but didn't notice that his measurements were in square meters and not square feet!During construction, Van Halen was on tour and Jorge was in charge of the details. So by the time I first saw the Cantina it was almost completed. ‘I can't believe it's this big,' I told Marco. ‘This is way too big for Cabo San Lucas. But, I like it.'
Of course, I wanted a monster opening that included MTV coverage. Since Van Halen was going to participate on my behalf to make the grand opening a major event, I felt a sense of camaraderie. It seemed appropriate to offer the other members of the band financial participation in the project. They accepted.
At first, because the cantina was a novelty and had received worldwide press coverage, business was good and everyone made money. But management was shaky and the club soon became a white elephant. Then it began costing the band big money. When it did, the other members of Van Halen no longer wanted any part of it.
But it was my baby and I wanted it even if it was a white elephant. I believed in the project. It just needed proper attention and better management.
When I assumed total control of the Cabo Wabo Cantina, Marco asked if he could come in as my partner because he believed in the project. This was in 1994 and he became my partner that year. The building was redecorated, the restaurant was moved upstairs and a prime chef was brought in. Soon Marco had the local population involved and coming in to enjoy themselves.
By then, the Cantina had become the place to go in a town that was already a destination of choice. It has helped, too, that Cabo San Lucas has almost tripled in size since my first visit. It is no longer a simple fishing village.
Because of my current partners in the operation and the enormous amount of publicity that Cabo Wabo receives in the United States every year, the success and size of the project has become much more than I ever imagined it to be.
Besides MTV, the Cabo Wabo Cantina has been featured on the Travel Channel, VH1, E and many television shows. Voted as one of the Top 10 party spots in the world, it is still my baby. Even so, it has grown into a monster that has a life of its own – one big party animal.
Wow! All that from a dream!
Go there and enjoy yourself. That's the reason the Cantina was built!
Sammy
Cabo: - Cape in Spanish
Sammy Hagar claims he coined the name Cabo Wabo after watching a man walk unsteadily along a local beach after a heavy night's partying. Using the town's nickname, Cabo and shortening "wobble" to "wabo" he said the man was doing the "Cabo wabo."
2016 Interview:
We talked to co-owner Marco Monroy, who opened Cabo Wabo with Sammy Hagar in 1990, about the cantina's legendary history - and what's in store for the future:
1990 when Cabo Wabo was opened, Cabo was just a small town with a few paved streets, no stop lights and a few buildings here and there. Little did anyone one it was going to be what it is now!
Sammy and Van Halen had a few local architects submit drawings. I was lucky enough to be one of them and was thrilled to have had my design chosen. I came up with the light house concept myself and the main inspiration was Cabo Wabo being a destination.
It's a big place. The whole establishment is about 20,000 square feet. Nowadays, it feels like it could be bigger but at the time we opened in 1990 it felt like we were never going to be able to fill it up. Times change!
The diversity of Sammy's music has greatly influenced the music at Cabo Wabo. Even when he performs it's a free atmosphere where all kinds of music is played. We have hosted numerous renowned bands, from jazz and R&B to country and rock & roll. The truth is you never know who is in town and ready to come hang or jam at the cantina!
The annual Birthday Bash is our flagship event. We have been hosting fans from all over the world for 26 years. This year we had 40,000 request for tickets and could only accommodate 2,500. By the way, we are planning a big event at the beach next year so we can accommodate more of our fans to come down, enjoy Cabo and celebrate Sammy's birthday Cabo Wabo style. Cabo Wabo is a lifestyle, there is no need for a planned event to have a good time and celebrate life!
We are known as a bar but our food is fantastic! We have all sorts of food from some of the best fish tacos in town to the best lobster burrito on the planet. People get blown away when they try our food – unexpected from a rock & roll joint.
https://blog.cabovillas.com/cabo-wabo-cantina-is-still-rocking-after-26-years
Sammy Hagar on Cabo Wabo Tequila:
2015 Interview by Tequila Aficionado Magazine:
Q: What got you into the Tequila's?
Q: Do you have any mentors that you follow to get into Tequila? Any mentors you can talk about?
Q: A purist?
Q: So do you consider yourself a Tequila Aficionado?
http://tequilaaficionado.com/2015/07/02/interview-with-sammy-hagar-from-cabo-wabo-tequila
Van Halen OU812: Cabo Wabo
Provided to YouTube by Warner Records
Since opening in 1990 the Cantina has long been one of the topmost places to eat and party in Mexico and the world. Featured on MTV, VH1, E-Channel, Travel Channel, and in many dreams of partiers and would-be partiers, the Cantina holds distinguished status among the world's greatest fiesta-goers. Come experience the Cantina and you will quickly see why this spot gave birth to the Cabo Wabo way of life!
Brought to Las Vegas by Sammy Hagar, Cabo Wabo Cantina blends the laid-back, beach-town vibe of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico with the excitement of the Las Vegas Strip. Located center-Srip inside Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, Cabo Wabo Cantina combines a signature blend of authentic margaritas and fresh flavorful Mexican cuisine created by executive chef, Tacho Kneeland. Sammy Hagar's rock ‘n' roll style tops off the young energetic vibe of the restaurant.
Cabo Wabo Cantina blends the laid-back, beach-town vibe of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico with the excitement of Hollywood. Cabo Wabo Cantina combines a signature blend of authentic margaritas and fresh and flavorful Mexican cuisine. Sammy Hagar's rock ‘n' roll style tops off the young and energetic vibe of the restaurant.
Opened in 1990 by Sammy Hagar and Van Halen bandmates. Cabo Wabo has become a mandatory stop for just about everyone who visits Cabo San Lucas
