8 Ball Tavern, a historic neighborhood bar, has officially relaunched under new ownership in Cotati at 8 Charles Street.
The nearly 90-year-old bar was purchased in January 2026 by Julie LaMalfa Black, Jenafer Keys, and Audrey De Vere Hunt, according to The Press Democrat. Black previously worked as a bartender at the 8 Ball for eight years before becoming an owner. Customers can expect the tavern to remain largely the same while introducing new events and community-focused programming.
Located in downtown Cotati, the 8 Ball Tavern has long served as a gathering place for locals and regular patrons. The building still features historic details, including low ceilings and irregularly sized doors. An urban legend says the bar’s name came from an old eight-ball discovered in the rafters of a building that once stood on the property.
Ownership of the business has changed hands several times in recent years. In 2018, the tavern was purchased by Brian Tatko and Greg Johnson, who completed minor renovations, including new flooring and structural improvements. The bar was later sold to Alan Troxel, who operated the business for about one year before selling it to the current ownership group.
The new owners bring extensive bartending experience to the business. Black is originally from Ukiah and has lived in the area for decades, building a loyal customer base during her time behind the bar. She and De Vere Hunt have more than 30 years of combined bartending experience across San Francisco, Petaluma, and Cotati.
While the owners do not plan major changes to the historic space, they plan to introduce new weekly activities. Planned events include Monday karaoke nights, Tuesday open mic nights, and food trucks from Thursday through Saturday to support local cooks. The team also hopes to bring the tavern back into the Cotati Crawl as nearby spots such as Spancky’s and Tradewinds continue to draw crowds.
