Mike Oxton doesn't like seeing lines outside his brewery.
The Night Shift Brewing founder once told me that, while humbled at the crowds, he never anticipated people having to wait to come inside his Everett taproom to enjoy a few beers. At one time, not that long ago, he and co-founders Mike O'Mara and Rob Burns were brewing experimental test batches in their kitchen late at night, after coming home from full time jobs. Now they were hiring bouncers for crowd control.
That was months ago. And the popularity of Night Shift has only grown since. Today, a weekend visit to their taproom – or The Taproom, as it's called – will almost certainly be met with a wait outside before gaining admission.
But very soon, that ought to get better. On September 9, Oxton and company will open the doors to The Annex, an adjoining taproom under the same roof. At 1,800 square feet, it'll hold 180 people – increasing the outfit's total capacity to an impressive 411. The additional bar, pictured below in all its near-completion glory, will add 24 more tap lines to the space, offering the same beer on draft as the other taproom. And yeah, that's a gas fireplace in the lounge area.
"This new addition should really help to alleviate the limited space on the weekends when we get our biggest crowds and provide a more secluded area for private events," NBS's marketing lead, Janine Pohorely, told me in April. "Not only will the extra lounge space provide a much-needed balance for visitors, but the second bar will be huge in accommodating all of the thirsty craft beer drinkers."
Here's what you can expect during the grand opening weekend:
Simple Sour bottle release, cellar drafts, live music, food truck
Saturday will follow with more cellar drafts
Sunday is our Bonetown Brunch with cellar drafts of Marilyn
Check out photos of the forthcoming space, below: