Creative Spaces: The BarrelHouse

  • June 22, 2012
  • Shots.net

Once an old wine cask warehouse then a prohibition speakeasy, the Barrel House is the former home to Pereira O’Dell and now, as CEO, Andrew O’Dell reveals, the agency’s party venue which mixes fundraising events with an old time frontier vibe of good company, long nights and drinks on the house.

"Our “do-good-ery” was not planned, rather it was something that just happened. We were outgrowing this really cool space and wanted to figure out a way to keep it. When we moved into a bigger office on the corner we immediately started using the BarrelHouse to host free concerts and would pick a charity that was special to one of our employees. Sometimes the artists pick the charity. One band liked their poster so much they asked if it could be used for an upcoming album cover. We couldn’t believe it.


But every event is run by Pereira O'Dell employees who set-up, bartend, work the door and even design the posters for the cause. And employees are not paid to do that, but they want to. The shows are free and donations are encouraged. Donations include anything from cash, to a tweet, a warm coat, or a can of food.


The lower level is where the bar and main stage are, then we have almost a half-floor mezzanine space and then a large third floor where our office used to be and now houses our brand design team. The space was an actual speakeasy and has a very rustic vibe. When we moved in we were able to use a lot of memorabilia to decorate the space. Which includes antlers, pots and pans, old wooden skis, books, our BarrelHouse Stain glass sign as well as original photographs from the building owner, Ed Zak who is a highly regarded San Francisco advertising photographer. Our current office space on the corner of 2nd street mimics the feel of the BarrelHouse – lots of antlers, art, rugs and chandeliers. If you’re ever in San Francisco, look us up, we may be having an event or just having a few beers among co-workers."


-Andrew O’Dell

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