Mo & Sluggo's polishes up its act

The owners of Mo & Sluggo's Bar and Grill on Telegraph Street are changing their music to jazz and blues tonight to attract an older, less rowdy crowd.

"We want to try and fit in a little more with the neighborhood," said Morey "Mo" Tresnit, co-owner of the bar with and Doug "Sluggo" Boeskor.

He said the move from DJ music to live bands helps create the atmosphere of an historic district like Sacramento's old town.

"Especially with the shopping center going into South Carson, it's going to be more important to preserve the old downtown. Not only preserve it but make it better."

He figures he'll ask area bands like Deja Blues, Blue Haven, Johnny Slick and the Cheaters, Blues Groove and Cool Black Kettle to play on Saturday nights. The Dean Everett Band will kick off the new scene tonight free of charge.

While the DJ music attracted regular crowds of younger folks on Friday and Saturday nights, it's time for the business to evolve, Tresnit said.

"(The younger crowd) are not the ones who eat lunch and dinner --they're not the ones who play the slot machines. We're not trying to push the kids out into the street. It's just that after a while you have to change it up."

Other businesses around Telegraph Square are glad to see the change.

"In the past, I haven't really felt comfortable there (on Friday and Saturday nights,)" said Sunny Spencer of Scandia Plus. "As a more mature person, I want to be able to relax and enjoy a really nice cocktail, but if they're trying to change I think it's great. It's good for the neighborhood, and it's good for Carson City."

Mo & Sluggo's Bar and Grill opened after Tresnit and Boeskor took over Hannigan's Sports Bar on the site in September 1996. Tresnit is considering sub-leasing the restaurant part to Mo & Sluggo's cook Juan Salazar. The menu and cooking techniques would not change because Salazar will still be there, he said.

"But that way, Juan would be able to do more catering and develop his own business," said Tresnit.