Meet Mike Goodwin | Owner/operator at Crazy Uncle Mike’s

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mike Goodwin and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mike, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
We operate our restaurant, brewery, live music venue as a community gather place. We host many local charity events and small business gathering. We are family friendly and also a great place to take your spouse out for a date night while listening and dancing to an awesome band.

Giving back is as important to us as any other function. Whether we are giving to a charity or one of our own staff in need, giving is a priority.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My entire adult life in business has been in the entertainment world that includes live music, DJs, along with food and beverage.

Ever since high school, I have enjoyed the choreography and execution of hosting extraordinary parties.

When I was 21, I began my life in the bar/restaurant business and at 24 years old I opened the first nightclub that I would be majority owner. This bar opened in 1989 and had three separate rooms. We had live bands in one room, DJs in the other room and an art gallery upstairs. This place was named Beyond Ordinary, and it truly was just that, Beyond Ordinary. . In the first year of business., Mtv picked us as one of the 12 best nightclubs in the country and they hosted an event called Street Party at our location. This was really the beginning of reality tv and it put us on the map!

Since opening beyond ordinary I’ve had the fortune to build and operate many bars/restaurants as well as work for some of the greatest casinos in the world doing what I love.

2003 I opened up a nightclub in the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace called OPM. Famous Wolf Gang Puck was our landlord and pseudo partner in this adventure. we successfully ran this adventure for seven years before closing it for brighter pastures

In 2010 I joined the Palms Casino running their entertainment department for George Maloof. in my short tener at the Palms, I was able to learn the game of booking A artists. The list includes Bruno Mars, Adam Levine and Marrón 5, System of a Down and many more. . I was only at the Palms for about two years before moving to Hard Rock Hotel & Casino as the vice president of nightlife and day life.

My skills were sharpened while working at the hard rock as I was responsible for all the entertainment at the famous Rehab pool party as well as Body English and Vanity Nightclubs. I was also on the buying team for all the alcohol on the property.

I remained at the Hard Rock for three years until receiving an offer to help build a multi billion dollar casino in Nassau Bahamas. My family and I moved to Nassau in 2014 and spent about 18 months on that beautiful island. When this operation had run its course, another door open for me in the Dominican Republic at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, where I was allowed to bring my skills to a higher level as a senior vice president of the entire operation.

When I accepted this position with the Hard Rock DR, I moved my family to Boca Raton because it had the best schools for our 3 daughters.

2017 I decided to leave this job because I wasn’t enjoying living remotely from my family and wanted to be home with them.

I began formulating the business plan for what became Crazy Uncle Mike’s and started searching for the right location.

We negotiating the lease terms on the building we now occupy, and after about six months, we came to a reasonable agreement and began to build Crazy Uncle Mike’s.

My vision for Crazy Uncle Mike’s was to be a place for our neighbors to gather for great food, beverage, and entertainment. Literally wanted a triple threat., we planned to have all aspects of our business to be elevated.

Crazy Uncle Mike’s celebrates Brew, Bites & Beats!
Our mission is simple: we want to deliver smiles to everyone that enters our establishment.
In order to succeed in our mission, we not only need to have incredible craft beers made on property, along with a craft kitchen and the best entertainment nightly., we also need the best staff to serve our guests.

I can say that the team that I have by my side everyday is the best team I have ever worked with in any business. Our Chef Tara Abrams and our General Manager Eric Haas have worked harder than any other people I’ve ever worked with and their tireless efforts have create a loyal team below them and the reason for our success now.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Well, anybody that comes to visit me will be in treat for lots of diversity. My wife and I try to patronize local establishments everywhere we can.. so you’re coming to visit me expect to see some really great local fair, local art, local entertainment along with some local beers.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My parents were my biggest influences on my work ethic and ability to overcome obstacles, my wife Camilla has taught me unconditional love and my children have taught me to live for others. I would dedicate everything in my life to these people.

Website: Crazyunclemikes.com

Instagram: @crazyunclemikes

Facebook: Crazy Uncle Mike’s

Youtube: YouTube.com/crazyunclemikes