Godspeed

It did what it did.
Cheap waffles + Bottomless mimosas for less than $ 10.
What else do you really need to know?

I go to Godspeed for the knowledge and skill the mechanics shine onto my motorcycle [malaNoche]. Everyone working there are always eager to answer questions and give advise. My expectations have been exceeded in both workmanship and estimated completion date.
The bar, tattoos, food and dancers are just are extras and not the heart of what Godspeed is to me.
Kickass Mother F*%kers

I love God Speed for they ALL U Can Eat waffles Saturday’s!!!
Also is the coolest place to get your ink!

I build Harley-​Davidson choppers. But I had a problem with with my rigid Harley bobber that absolutely stumped me. I fired it off and it would only fire on one cylinder… I went through all the items that would normally cause such a misfire. To no avail.
Swallowing my VERY large pride after 2 weeks of not having my bike, My wife had the thing hauled down to Godspeed while I made some money. Even they were stumped for a while, in turn boosting my mechanic ego a little. With some digging and some phone consulting, the faulty coil feed wire was located and dealt with! I was elated. They had it nailed in a day or so. And they liked my bike a lot. In the rare instance where I might need some help with a bike, I will not hesitate to drop my junk of at Godspeed

I think my pinball-​playing pal put it best: «This is like Eli’s, but for people with money.»
Basically, it’s a MOTORcycle bar, not a BIcycle bar.
Anyhow, the service was friendly, but it was dead dead dead DEAD at 8pm on Saturday evening. Also, one of the pinball machines was broken, but there was no sign on it letting you know – not particularly cool.
The place seems to have a good vibe, though, and I really like the crenellations indoors! Apparently I need to come during happy hour or brunch or something… hopefully I’ll be able to bump the rating up a bit.

WHAT, NO WAFFLES?
Made the effort to get there on a Sat morning with a crowd, but was disappointed to find they don’t have a café right now (despite what their website sez).
Very nice lady explained it all, and I’m willing to change my rating all the way up to 5 stars once the waffles start flowing.
In the meantime, call before you show up so you aren’t disappointed like we were.

These guys and gals are supernice, but don’t think they will fix it quick. Both times I took my bike there, it took three weeks for a few hours of labor. Couldn’t ask for nicer folk, but man, I’m on day 17 right now.
Edit– second job took a month and a few days– for a couple of hours of labor! Oh well, still nice folks.
Hey– just picked up my bike, runs great, but they charged me for a bulb for my turn signal, just not sure which one, cause none of them work. Did I mention I already paid them a few hundred to redo the wiring last year?

Saturday afternoons are great for all you can eat waffles, served with a mimosa (or PBR). The staff has always been friendly to us each time we show up. That’s why the crowd at Godspeed is pretty diverse, as long as you like cheap booze and punk music. On weeknights they will sometimes have go-​go dancers, who are always nice to see. Oh yeah, they can also fix your motorcycle as well.
Everybody raise a pint to those we lost too soon.

I fully give props to the waffles. They are extremely good. I like the quirky décor, as it’s not the place you would think of going for breakfast.
My issue was with the person running the upstairs café. I ordered a second mimosa, and the first cup had a lot of fizz. She poured the second cup for my friend, but never went back to fill the cup after the fizz had gone down. She had already put the bottle away and that was that. I barely had a quarter of a cup of champagne, yet my friend’s cup was filled more than half way.
We also ordered another waffle with bacon to share, and she picked the bacon up with her unwashed hands. There weren’t any tongs nearby to use either.
She was the only one there, so she was taking my money. Gross. Have they not heard of the H1N1 flu precautions?

I bought a vintage motorcycle a few months ago (impulse buy, Craigslist — what can I say?). It was either that, or like, half a handbag, so I went with the motorcycle.
I won’t lie: I was also attracted to the weekend offer of $ 7 all you can eat waffles with a side of bacon and a beverage. And so, began my love affair with this very cool, very welcoming, supremely in-​the-​know hangout and Speed Parlour, art gallery and ink salon.
Desirae is a Goddess — and a sincere hostess. She made Caveman and me feel totally at ease from the moment we crossed the threshold. She also is a biker bad-​ass, and a veritable encyclopedia of motorcycle knowledge (which goes for all of the staff). Did I mention that she like, runs the service department and has been riding since she was a toddler? Definitely knows that’s she’s talking about. Don’t let the swagger and the hot bod fool you — she knows her shit and will give you the fairest pricing around.
The Fry-​o-​Lator upstairs churns out some yummy garlic fries that I simply cannot resist, since I’m boycotting the Hobnob. So while you’re perusing portfolios for your next piece of ink, or dropping in for a beverage and some belly-​warming grub… take some time to get to know the delightfully eclectic bunch of staffers and regulars here at Godspeed.
When I first bought my vintage bike, I purchased some motorcycle boots, a brain bucket, gloves and was wearing an old leather jacket. Desirae outfitted us last week with some serious safety gear, and proper riding attire by Vanson, and we were more than happy to make the investment in riding safe + smart. Next on the list: full face helmets — which she encouraged us to try on at another store, choose one that’s DOT and Snell certified, and then she’ll order the model for us.
In the last half-​dozen visits, I’ve met: a structural engineer, Wally the pyrotechnic artist, an Ivy League software developer and a handful of the East Bay Rats, all of whom were fun, engaging, welcoming and very, very cool.
Brought the Baby Sister up here a few months ago, and lost my «pool virginity» and got «3 holes in one» my very first game. I actually won because Baby Sister scratched a bunch of times… I think it’s because she’d downed like 8 beers already. I pretty much suck at pool unless whomever I’m playing in sloshed drunk, but I still had a good time learning the basics, and I think some of the other patrons enjoyed the view while I set up my shots. ;)
The vibe is very easy-​going… we chose to come here for Halloween: I was dressed in a custom-​made NYPD leather mini-​dress, complete with patches and epaulets. I also celebrated being back in the swing of things by doing 2 burlesque numbers and had an absolutely fabulous time.
I will be getting some ink here in the next month or two to commemorate the left kidney I donated to a family friend 7 weeks ago.
What more can I say? Godspeed is definitely a uniquely cool place that doesn’t throw you attitude… stop by and get to know the good folks there. Even if you don’t ride, all are welcome.
See ya ’round!

I love the Godspeed. I am hoping with this one star review to get your attention.
Please, for the love of all things holy, get a vent for that fryer, and change the grease once in a while!
I love everything else about the Godspeed– the people, the drinks, the atmosphere, the food, the music, the dancers, the service and all of it. The grease smell makes it 100% unbearable to stay there, and I have to shower when I get home and quarantine whatever I wear there. Last Friday was the last straw. It seems to be getting worse, probably because it’s colder now and the doors are shut, the only ventilation there was before?
Either get a good vent or retire the fryer, please.

I am blessed (or cursed, depending on how you want to look at it) with a rare talent.
It works like your neighborhood friendly gaydar, except instead of detecting homosexuals, I instantly pinpoint radio signals from anything cool within a 15 meter radius. Don’t believe me? I found a fucking ferret in California
didn’t I?.
That’s fucking cool. And Godspeed motors, you are fucking cool.
You set off my god damn cool-​o-​meter the moment I drove by you. In fact, I was on my way home from work when I first saw you. Instantly judging from the angry looking skull that adorned your entrance
and the bad ass looking bikers that were smoking outside, I knew my grey dress shirt and black slacks corporate uniform might have gotten my ass kicked.
But fuck that, I’m even more ruggish thuggish than you and I’m not afraid of my regularly scheduled beat down for being arrogant (I love pain — I work in an office).
So I did a u-​turn at the light, peeling out in a symphony of tire squealing and techno music. Oh what a glorious sound it was.
Despite your ugly mug exterior and gothic dungeon interior adorned with skulls
, you invited me with open tattooed arms. Inside, Godspeed consisted of a shrine to the fallen bikers
, a hellish alter DJ booth
that played Rammstein, Zombie Girl, and Combichrist (which, I might add, is exactly the industrial shit I listen to that subsequently makes you feel like punching someone in the face), an in house tattoo parlor
, motorcycle shop, and awesome grub.
Apparently Momma Biker wanted me to grow some chest hair, a beer gut, and a motorcycle penis extension, so she fed me a pulled pork sandwich
, fish n’ chips
, and french fries
. On weekends, they even have all you can eat waffles, some bacon and a mimosa for a economically appropriate 7 bucks
.
Just remember to throw your shit in one of the über bitchin’, custom stamped steel trash cans
when you’re done.
If I’ve convinced you that you need to check this place out (and you should), they only have Olympia and PBR
on tap. And that, my friends, as my boy Ramsey put it, is metal as fuck.
Godspeed quickly became my favorite bar. I left happy and full of beer and fried shit.
The next day at work, realizing that my boss and co-​workers probably thought I was pussy, sitting in my cube with a solid-​color tie, performing banal little tasks all day, I used the courage that Godspeed gave me and flaunted my inner bad assness.
I showed them all how much I fucking rock by throwing that badboy Bimmer into first and peeled out in company parking lot on my way to happy hours with the «cool guys.»
Fuck, I’ll be an executive in no time. Thank you Godspeed.

By far, the coolest looking place I’ve ever walked into. So well done in that dungeon thing they’ve got going — High End Dungeon? Stone, Iron, velvet couches, wall-​cut-​outs for go-​go dancers (not go-​go-​ing the night I was there, sadly), a masseuse at the ready, who also spends her spare time doing a wondrous free-​spirit arm-​wavey sway-​dancey thing that’s awesome, she has luxuriously long arms… I’m told there’s food service upstairs. I was there for the PBRs and the velvet couch.
When you’re on the velvet couch on the right (are there more? I don’t know) you’re kind of off to the side, so it can seem a bit voyeuristic. I voyeured lots of girls with girls, and guys voyeuring girls with girls while playing pool and pinball. Yeah, that was fun.
I’m not a biker. I think I’ve been on a bike twice in my life, and that was my brother’s, and seriously, he was no biker. But, I can fake anything (yeah, that too.) But here, you really don’t need to.

The service was super friendly, when our party of four went there on a recent Saturday for the waffle brunch. Not crazy about the paper plates and plastic forks, but for $ 7 you can’t complain. They were all really nice to our little boy, too. Junior loved all the skulls and the décor.
I think I’ll come back at night, though, for a less-​wholesome experience without Junior, so I can check out the DJ music and dancing girls.

The inside of Godspeed is like my dream décor. Vast, dimly-​lit, with creepy-​looking stone walls, dark iron accents, and skulls and Virgin Mary candles everywhere! I would have preferred inverted crosses to the candles, but I’ll allow it. The environment alone makes it worth checking out, but knowing that there’s good food, a tattoo parlor, and a bike shop are totally awesome as well.
Several choices for bottled beers, but only 2 beers on tap: PBR and Newcastle. While I prefer a wider selection of draft beer, I’ll defend Godspeed’s decision because that’s metal as fuck. If you have no idea what I just said, you really don’t belong at Godspeed anyway.
Last time I went, I was surprised to hear that there was reggae music playing over the horror movies on the big screen. Don’t get me wrong, I like reggae, but I was taken aback to be listening to reggae in a setting that’s just so clearly metal.
Pretty decent menu at the café, I’m looking forward to coming by on a weekend for the all-​you-​can-​eat waffle breakfast special! The girl that works the café is named Rosie, and she’s totally badass; Her hair is somewhere between Slash from Guns N Roses and Tom Araya from Slayer. She’ll make you a mean ‘peanut butter, jelly and bacon sandwich’, but only if you’re on her good side. One of the stars is for Rosie.
They have DJs and go-​go dancers on certain nights. I’ve seen a woman there who brings a massage chair and sells massages as well. I can’t wait to come back for happy hour soon, just wish it wasn’t across the bridge.

Really, really, really I wish I loved this place, but it’s just not quite what I’d hope for.
The good: it’s exactly what my inner interior decorator wants to do to every room I’ve ever seen. Very cave-​like and evil-seeming…love this. Food is pretty decent. Good selection of gear, and they’ll order anything you want if it’s not in stock. Super-​nice staff.
The ungood: I brought my bike here last year to get a tire change. I called ahead of time to make sure the tire was in stock. No? OK, let’s go ahead and order it. You guys are ordering it, right? Yeah, bring it in next Thursday and it’ll be all good. Thursday comes; I bring it in first thing, tire isn’t there. OK, they’ll call and track it, see if it’s coming in today’s shipment. Oops, we forgot to order the tire. How badly do you need it? Uh, I leave for Mexico in 2 days. I’ll go elsewhere.
Shop prices are a bit high, which I’d be willing to pay to support such a cool business concept if they were able to execute the plan well. Some attention to detail is missing here.

Totally revamped downstairs. It pretty much looks like a dungeon with a bar, and is probably the swankiest place you can drink a $ 1.50 Happy Hour PBR draft in the entire Bay Area. Tip well, boys and girls. They do have other drafts — Newcastle — and bottles, too, and wine, so it’s not like you’re limited to just the cheap midwestern stuff.
Their site is totally revamped too, promising «Pretty Ladies, Good Friends, Cold Beer, Delicious Food…» and they deliver. They’re also warm and welcoming, whether you have full sleeve tats and a matte black ratbike or you’re just a Joe or Jessica off the street, there’s really no excuse not to be here if you’re in the neighborhood during Happy Hour or at their Saturday waffles-​and-​mimosas shindig.

So Godspeed is pretty much the shit.
I, by no means am a biker in any way shape or form, but at night this place is pretty great. You walk in, and right above the bar to your right is a huge movie screen showing great movies, to your left is a massage chair, and in front of you are a pool table and pinball machine. They also have a tattoo parlor, and some little «VIP» loungey areas.
Upstairs is the café, where my friend Rosey works, she will bust out any sandwich concoction you can think of, and blow your mind!
The guys that run the place are super nice as well, i talked to some of the people, and basically i came to the conclusion that Godspeed was their boy’s club fantasy growing up, how can you not support that?!
on the weekends they also have go-​go dancers and sometimes crazy cirque de soliel circus people hanging from the rafters.
overall a good vibe with an eclectic group of people which includes, but is not limited to, East Bay Rats guys (DUH), CCA art kids, Metal kids, and your occasional bro ho.

Priest was my tattoo artist, actually he’s the only artist in the shop and I had a really great time while he inked a beautiful squid on my hip. I didn’t know what to expect as I had virgin skin and he helped me ease my tensions and we talked about life and everything that’s good and lovely… then Current TV came in and filmed him coloring me in. Vice Magazine came and interviewed us which was totally rad and unexpected. I was actually talking to Priest about how Vice made a huge impact on me before they came in … Priest is awesome to talk to — he has a beautiful, wise and inspirational mind, has a light touch, is professional, his work is original, and he doesn’t do flash.
This place is one of a kind and offers many services that I didn’t experience. but those that I did, and the quality of the time I had, is why I gave Godspeed a 5. That and the hot ladies walking around mmmuch appreciated, ladies.

True or False:
1. I went into this motorcycle shop to get my Harley (Sportster XL50 1200 Custom to be exact) repaired.
2. I went into this motorcycle shop to get a skull tattoo emblazoned on my right butt cheek.
3. I went into this motorcycle shop for their $ 7 all you can eat waffles, bacon & mimosas (sadly, the latter are not endless) breakfast.
Only one of the sentences is true. Is it too obvious?
4 stars mainly for cool atmosphere — badass dark, candelabras, and flat screen tvs. Hardcore-​looking from the outside, but welcoming hang out vibe inside — friendly staff, video games to play, neat motorcycle accessories/​tees. Very simple breakfast and good sandwich fare served with plastic utensils and paper cups/​plates. Not much seating at the counter top area in the mezzanine where the food is cooked and served. Still, I absolutely love the idea of nibbling on waffles in a motorcycle shop.