What it will lose in the dark and edgy atmosphere of its former parking garage venue under the Javelina Cantina, the annual River Dave’s Place “After Party” on Saturday night during this week’s Desert Storm Poker Run event in Lake Havasu City, Ariz., will gain in the sheer open space of its new digs. Hosted by the popular high-performance powerboating content site and community, this year’s bash will be held in the banquet room of Shugrue’s Restaurant and Brewery Group, the title sponsor of Desert Storm.

This year, the River Dave’s Place After Party will lose its cave-like, parking garage atmosphere. Photo courtesy/copyright Jay Nichols/Naples Image.

“This time we’ll have a real bar—it’s an open bar for everyone all night,” said Dave Johnson, the founder and owner of the website. “The banquet room can seat 400 or 500 people. We’ll also have our usual DJ.”

Despite that the River Dave’s Place After Party has become a big hit with Desert Storm attendees, Johnson considered scuttling the event this season. A little pressure from his sponsors, he said, persuaded him to keep it going.

Said Johnson, “They told me, ‘We work all week long. This is the only chance we get to have any fun. You have to keep it going.’ So what could I say?”

Related Stories

Desert Storm Poker Run Update: Watch Out for Low-Flying Billboards
Heavy Hitters Anchoring Desert Storm Poker Run Roster
River Dave’s Place Adding Beer Garden for Desert Storm Street Party