David Alvis, owner of Silver Star Smokehouse, is a man of vision. With over 17 years of experience in the restaurant game, Alvis is crafting a restaurant concept that continues to evolve, and just gets better with each wild idea he comes out with.
Silver Star Smokehouse originally opened in 2007, and quickly developed a reputation for great BBQ and premier catering service. In 2011, Alvis transformed a run-down cookhouse into what Silver Star is today, a stylish take on classic cowboy chic. Taking the former walk-up style joint to upscale steakhouse in just 88 days, Alvis created a warm environment with just enough luxury to keep that classic steakhouse feel, without taking away the down home comfort reflected in their BBQ roots. Leather seating, rich wooden tables and beams, custom chandeliers and carefully selected art are all part of Alvis’s own aesthetic - he selects and styles each area personally, hitting just the right notes to combine country and city seamlessly.
Silver Star now occupies an expansive space which houses seating for 500, and features a main dining area, main bar, two private dining rooms with fireplaces and private bars, and a party room with outside access. With plenty of room for any local event, the restaurant stays packed thanks to their growing status as the best BBQ in town. Silver Star is also known for its bright, friendly service crew; many staffers have been with Alvis for five or more years, and their banter and teamwork add a layer of comfort to the experience. Alvis boasts, “I have the greatest staff in the world”, and his customers seem to agree.
Having perfected the art of BBQ, Alvis began the second phase of his vision for the property. What started as a patio and stage area adjacent to the current restaurant has quickly evolved into an impressive venue in it’s own right. The Stage has taken on a stunning life of its own, and now features a large, professionally outfitted stage, 5 stage-side cabanas, two outdoor bar areas and a second-story VIP viewing lounge. This venue is primed to host concerts, weddings, parties, corporate events, crawfish boils; the possibilities are endless.
The VIP lounge is truly a work of art; seated 27 feet above the main venue area, attendees are treated to impressive sound and visual features which give them an on-stage quality to the experience, with amenities like flat screen televisions with direct access to the stage, cocktail service, heating and air conditioning, and a crowd-free environment. As one comes to expect from Alvis, every detail is coordinated and thoughtful; from the technical considerations of sound delay to the ability to throw open the windows to let in a summer breeze, each element is carefully executed to be the best.
The stage-side cabanas feature a courtside view of the events with some nice perks. These roped-off enclosures feature cushioned seating and high top tables, flat screen televisions, and cocktail service. Already so popular that they are being reserved up to 6 months at a time, Alvis plans to build 6 more cabanas on a second story of the main restaurant.
The stage itself is a beautiful structure constructed completely from steel and beautified with 100-year old pine columns. Crafted to meet every need of professional musicians, the space is outfitted with state of the art sound equipment and lighting, and has a corresponding enclosed sound room and outdoor board area. The space also houses a “green room”, a private lounge for performers to retreat with Alvis’s signature mix of comfort and sophistication in décor. This room is also perfect for a bridal room in the case of a wedding at The Stage.
The main area in front of the stage showcases a beautiful fireplace flanked with lighted waterfall fountains – a gorgeous centerpiece to an event or reception. Ever a detail man, Alvis has chosen 100-year –old pine posts to surround the outdoor enclosure, and certain areas feature antique shutters and remnants from local homes, adding to the character of the space.
As The Stage has reached completion, artists are already flocking to perform to crowds of more than seven hundred. Acts such as Jana Kramer, Cody Canada & The Departed and Dustin Lynch have already visited the venue to strong turnouts. While many shows will be for ages 21 and up, there will be plenty of family-friendly spots on the calendar, including the upcoming Cole Vosbury show.
Now that The Stage is ready to rock and roll, Alvis is already dreaming up the next phase for his exciting property. Plans include transforming a large lot behind The Stage into a space for larger concerts, with an estimated capacity of 4 to 5 thousand, and turning an adjacent barn into the concession stand for this stadium area.
The evolution of the Silver Star Smokehouse property into something fresh and unique is only just beginning; as Alvis says, “You never know what we may do; you can be assured – we are always thinking about the next big thing!”
