Cotati 8 Ball Tavern and Tri-Tip Trolley Join Forces for Sunday Celebration

The historic bar and mobile kitchen team up for a community event in Sonoma County.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 11:09pm

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A vibrant, high-contrast silkscreen print of a vintage-style pool table repeated in a grid, capturing the classic bar scene and community spirit of the Cotati 8 Ball Tavern's relaunch.The reimagined Cotati 8 Ball Tavern celebrates its community roots and woman-led ownership with a lively Sunday event featuring the Tri-Tip Trolley.Sonoma Today

The Cotati 8 Ball Tavern, a nearly 90-year-old local bar, is relaunching under new woman-led ownership, and the Tri-Tip Trolley, a popular mobile food truck, will be joining them this Sunday for a community celebration. The tavern aims to preserve its no-frills identity while reinvigorating its appeal, while the Tri-Tip Trolley, under new ownership, is looking to expand its catering services across Sonoma and Napa counties.

Why it matters

This event represents a dual revival in the Cotati community - one for the historic 8 Ball Tavern as it transitions to new ownership, and one for the Tri-Tip Trolley as it expands its operations. It highlights the resilience and evolution of local small businesses, especially those that cater to the community's needs and traditions.

The details

The Tri-Tip Trolley, a fire-truck red mobile kitchen, will be rolling into the 8 Ball Tavern's lot this Sunday to serve up gourmet tri-tip, chicken, and pork. This comes as the nearly 90-year-old 8 Ball Tavern relaunches under new management led by Julie LaMalfa Black, Jenafer Keys, and Audrey De Vere Hunt, who aim to preserve the bar's no-frills identity while reinvigorating its community appeal. The newly reupholstered tables, easygoing atmosphere, and quick entry times continue to define the 8 Ball Tavern as a quintessential hometown bar, especially for the local motorcycle crowd.

  • The Tri-Tip Trolley will be at the 8 Ball Tavern this Sunday, April 13, 2026.
  • The 8 Ball Tavern relaunched under new management in January 2026.

The players

Julie LaMalfa Black

One of the new owners of the 8 Ball Tavern, bringing over 30 years of bartending experience across San Francisco, Petaluma, and Cotati.

Jenafer Keys

One of the new owners of the 8 Ball Tavern, bringing over 30 years of bartending experience across San Francisco, Petaluma, and Cotati.

Audrey De Vere Hunt

One of the new owners of the 8 Ball Tavern, bringing over 30 years of bartending experience across San Francisco, Petaluma, and Cotati.

Lori and Eric Solis

The new owners of the Tri-Tip Trolley, a catering and event business formerly known as TIPS Roadside Trolley, who operate it alongside their daughters and family friend Tiffany Brown.

Tiffany Brown

A family friend who operates the Tri-Tip Trolley alongside the Solis family.

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What they’re saying

“The girls are calling the shots.”

— Julie LaMalfa Black, Jenafer Keys, and Audrey De Vere Hunt, New owners of the 8 Ball Tavern

“We want to expand food truck catering services for private events across Sonoma and Napa counties.”

— Lori and Eric Solis, Owners of the Tri-Tip Trolley

What’s next

The 8 Ball Tavern will continue its soft opening under the new management, while the Tri-Tip Trolley will look to expand its catering services in the Sonoma and Napa region.

The takeaway

This event showcases the resilience and evolution of local small businesses in Cotati, as a historic bar transitions to new woman-led ownership and a mobile food truck expands its reach, creating a vibrant community gathering that celebrates tradition and innovation.