by Lorie Lewis Ham

Early this year Bullfrogs Bar and Grill in Kingsburg was featured in the Great Food Search, where the focus was on their awesome food. This week we are focusing on them as an entertainment venue. We took some time to chat with Justin Simmons, one half of the core management staff. He shares the responsibilities of a general manager with Kourtney Vigario. They took on these roles in September of 2015 when their current GM left to pursue his own business.

KRL: Do you have any background in this type of work?

JS: I have been working as a bartender and server for the past four years, as well as playing in an all original heavy rock band.

KRL: What were your goals when you took on this position?

JS: We wanted to change our image. We were known primarily as a night club, and we felt that we had the potential to be much more than just that.

KRL: What has changed at Bullfrogs since you took on this position?

JS: We have a new menu, new happy hour, new craft beers, and we now host a much wider variety of concerts.

KRL: What does Bullfrogs offer as far as entertainment?

JS: We offer a wide variety of live music, DJs, and line dancing lessons.

KRL: What are the costs to attend concerts, etc?

JS: The costs are anywhere from $5 to $30.

KRL: What are the hours for both the restaurant and entertainment?

JS: We serve food from 4 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, on Fridays from 4 p.m. to Midnight, on Saturdays from noon till midnight, and noon till 8 p.m. on Sundays.

Our nightly entertainment varies, but usually starts between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m.!

KRL: What types of bands play there?

JS: We host all types of local music. There is no musical discrimination here!

KRL: Can you name some of them?

JS: Some of our favorite local musicians that often play are Call Me James, White Glove Service, and Patrick Contreras. There are many great local bands and musicians, though.

KRL: Are the bands just locals, or do you have some from out of town?

JS: The majority of the bands are locals, however we do host national acts as well as smaller touring acts from out of town. Puddle of Mudd, Afroman, Kip Moore, and Dustin Lynch are a few of the bigger concerts we have had.

KRL: Do you have a space for rent for events?

JS: We have a banquet facility available for all types of events. We have hosted many weddings, company parties, and birthdays!

KRL: What makes Bullfrogs unique?

JS: Being right on the river and away from town creates a special atmosphere that’s not easily duplicated. When the river is flowing, it’s really a great place to be.

KRL: What future goals and plans do you have?

JS: We plan on hosting concerts more frequently year round.

KRL: Do you have future events to mention?

JS: We have a lot of local concerts coming up and a few national concerts in the works!

KRL: Bullfrogs can be a little hard to find. Can you give us directions?

JS: Just outside of Kingsburg, right off the 99, formally known as Riverland.

Bullfrogs Bar & Grill
38743 California 99
Kingsburg, CA

KRL: Are you on social media sites? Website/Facebook/Twitter?

JS: Website: bullfrogsusa.com
Facebook: Facebook.com/bullfrogsbarandgrill
Twitter: twitter.com/BullfrogsGrill
Instagram: Bullfrogs_usa

KRL: Is there anything else you would like to add? Anything we forgot?

JS: Our happy hour is from open till 7 p.m. and from 10 p.m. to close Wednesdays through Sundays!

You can find more other entertainment articles, in our Arts & Entertainment section, and more food articles in our food section. Check out our Great Food Search article which featured Bullfrogs here: kingsriverlife.com/01/30/great-food-search-bullfrogs-bar-grill.

Lorie Lewis Ham is our Editor-in-Chief and an enthusiastic contributor to various sections, coupling her journalism experience with her connection to the literary and entertainment worlds. Explore Lorie’s mystery writing at Mysteryrat’s Closet.