Conor Watkins' Ozark Mountain Experience
Article 74
By Conor Watkins

The All Stars Sports Bar And Grill
-Something For Everyone

All Stars as it appeared soon before opening.

On September 19, 2003, the All Stars Sports Bar And Grill opened in the Uptown Theater building in downtown Rolla.  The building opened as a movie theater on Dec 9, 1941, only two days after Pearl Harbor was bombed and served that purpose until early 1999.  After this time the building sat vacant for three years until it was purchased for use as a nightclub last year.  The structure underwent many improvements but the nightclub concept was unsuccessful and the nighclub closed within a year.  The building was put up for sale.  For more history on the building and this operation, see http://web.umr.edu/~cwatkin/cwome/article49&50combined.htm.

The new owners, Joe and Linda Malva, purchased the building to serve as a sports bar and restaurant earlier this year.  They were semi-retired and moved to the Rolla area two years ago with several other family members.  The Malvas came from Elmhurst, IL, where they ran multiple restaurants in the Chicago area.  They moved to Rolla in order to escape the fast pace of big city life.  Once in Rolla, they found many local restaurants lacking in both food quality and service, so they decided to change this by opening their own.  Although additional help has been hired, they are mainly a family run operation and four of their daughters are working at the restaurant.

All Stars is meant to appeal to a broader crowd than the prior nightclub and is intended to attract those who might otherwise frequent Applebee’s, The Ground Round, Zeno’s or other all age restaurants.  Although a bar is present, anyone is welcome and no cover charge is required for entry for most events.  The major difference between All Stars and other restaurants is the variety of entertainment provided.  The main feature is a projector, which displays video up to 25 feet wide onto the old movie screen.  Football games and other sporting events are projected with amazing clarity for all to enjoy.  Six additional TVs are provided throughout the building to watch games.  A jukebox is available to play a variety of music.

Lottery tickets, Keno, and a game called Turnamax will all provide ways to win or lose money, depending on both luck and skill.  Two dart boards, two pool tables, and a golf arcade game are available to stimulate the gamer and a Sony Playstation may be projected onto the big screen from time to time.  Dart and pool tournaments are to be held on a regular basis along with karaoke and open microphone nights.  Bands, comedians, and other acts may be hosted from time to time and a cover will be charged to pay for these performances.  Dance lessons may also be hosted on certain nights.

Several changes have been made to the building itself in order to provide a better atmosphere for patrons.  The dance floor has been expanded by re-arranging a staircase and the area holding the dining tables has been increased in size.  Remodeling and opening of the balcony is planned.  The sound system has been improved upon so one will not experience the extremely high volume of somewhat fuzzy music commented on previously.  Music volumes are lower while the quality of the sound has been increased.  Customer input is welcome if music volume is not at a desirable level.

More relaxed Sunday dinners with movies will be served to appeal to an older crowd after the football games and other faster paced events end.  Historical presentations on the Rolla area will possibly be the focus of some of these meals.

The kitchen area has been greatly expanded, allowing for a larger variety of higher quality food than could be served previously.  Most ingredients used in the dishes served are homemade and all food is prepared onsite.  Food specials vary daily and include clam chowder along with other homemade soups, linguini with clam sauce, Italian sausage sandwiches, bruschetta (a type of chopped tomato salad), grilled chicken sandwiches, and grilled chicken Caesar salad.  Other food includes various pastas with homemade sauces and chips served with homemade salsas.  More traditional bar room fare such as burgers, fries, wings, and onion rings are also be served.  Burgers feature both single double double one third pound patties.

A wide variety of mixed and bottled drinks are served.  A wide range of imported and domestic beer brands are offered along with several varieties of wines.

The business has already been well received and more customers are showing every night.  A UMR Inter-Fraternity Council event has already been held at All Stars and the KMNR Halloween Freakers Ball is set to return later this month.

When asked for a quote to describe the operation, the Joe and Linda Malva responded, “We want something for everyone and are not catering to any one group.  We want to provide good service, quality food, and an enjoyable place to hang out.  If the music is too loud, we want out customers to let us know.”  Two small storefronts on each side of the building may be included in future plans.  One or both of these may be turned into a either a coffee shop for those walking past in the morning and/or a pizza place for people passing by around lunchtime.

On a negative note, the two do not want to have to confront those under 21 trying to obtain alcohol.  Under Missouri law, three documented incidents of underage drinking result in the revocation of a liquor license, even if an older friend bought a drink and gave it to a minor.  IDs will be strictly analyzed, as undercover liquor agents will be conducting spot checks.  Those who enjoy a place to hang out in Rolla will do themselves and others a favor by not trying to promote or participate in underage drinking.

All Stars is open from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. seven days a week.  They are located within an easy walk of campus at 1100 North Pine St. in downtown Rolla.