Kiss band members opening rock 'n' roll-themed restaurants in Vacaville and Sacramento

Gene Simmons (L) and Paul Stanley of KISS. Gene Simmons (L) and Paul Stanley of KISS. Photo: Handout Photo: Handout Image 1 of / 34 Caption Close Kiss band members opening rock 'n' roll-themed restaurants in Vacaville and Sacramento 1 / 34 Back to Gallery

Kiss frontman Gene Simmons is bringing "a party" to Vacaville by way of opening a new location of his casual dining chain, Rock & Brews.

The restaurant, which sounds like a rowdier version of the Hard Rock Café, is a monument to classic and legendary musicians, as Simmons says, including "Springsteen and Jimi Hendrix and yes, even Kiss."

Entering the space is "like walking into a party that already is going on," Simmons told the Sacramento Bee. "You are surrounded by pop culture. The classic rock, the soundtrack of your life. The videos and the visuals, everything."

The chain is a product of a 2012 partnership between Simmons, businessman Jon Mesko, and later, Simmons' Kiss bandmate Paul Stanley. "We approach this with missionary zeal," Simmons told the Bee. "We love what we are doing."

Rock & Brews was established in El Segundo, and its locations serve up pub fare, comfort food, healthier salad options, and in true rock fashion, dozens of beer styles on tap. Two restaurants are planned for Northern California: one in Vacaville on Nut Tree Parkway, and another at Sacramento's Cal Expo due to open early next year.

Alyssa Pereira is an SFGATE staff writer. Email her at apereira@sfchronicle.com or find her on Twitter at @alyspereira.

