Guava Beach Bar, located in Mission Beach, has been going strong with co-owners Eric Christiansen of Minnesota and Ben Cseri of San Diego for nearly nine years now. “We have a very successful business due to our ability to work together,” Christiansen said. When I asked Eric about football, I wanted to know if I was in a bar of Vikings backers or a bar of Chargers backers. “Both, actually,” said Christiansen. “Since the teams play in different divisions, we never had the need to designate it as a dedicated bar for Chargers fans or Vikings fans. I am originally from Minnesota, so when the bar opened, it felt natural to support my new ‘home team’ bar, as well as to salute my original home team (Minnesota). I also realized that many people who live in San Diego are transplants from different areas, so why not have a place for those who are also from Minnesota?” That sounds nice, a place where people from Minnesota can root for their beloved Vikings and San Diegans — whether locals or transplants — can root for their Chargers. And why not? Since they are in separate divisions and leagues, they would almost never play each other unless it was in the Super Bowl. After some research, I discovered that could typically only happen if the Chargers won the AFC title and the Vikings took the NFC title both in the same year. Guava Beach has found the football balance any bar owner would be jealous of, and if both teams should ever meet in the Super Bowl, I am sure each fan base would be happy for the other’s success in the year. Peace across all football nations. Let this be an example how people of different cities can get along in one cause of love of their hometown. (I’m talking to you, Los Angeles, Oakland and San Francisco). The only thing that could destroy this balance in humanity would be if the two teams actually met in a regular season game. To think that the football schedule makers would ever schedule a regular season game to undermine the Zen balance of football love found at the Guava Beach Bar … well, there is equal probability that Scott Baio will do a remake of “Joanie Loves Chachi” for the big screen. But wait!! The Chargers are scheduled to play the Vikings this year?? First game of the year?? Are they crazy?? What about the harmonious balance of Guava Beach? I finally found the nirvana of sports bars, so why would the NFL attempt to destroy the delicate ecosystem of football brotherhood? The only place on earth where Charger fans and Minnesota fans can intertwine as one soul! As fate would have it, the two teams will meet at 1:15 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 11 in the Chargers’ regular-season home opener at Qualcomm Stadium. I couldn’t believe it. I demanded to re-interview Christiansen. I had questions, and I needed answers. “Will you and lifelong friend Ben draw a line down the bar or will you have to have to sell the bar altogether? Will the loser of the bar have to shave his head in shame when his hometown fails to secure the ‘Big W?’ Will Scott Baio really have a new movie deal? What’s going to happen to me?” After my panic attack abated, Christiansen assured me that everything would be OK. He and Ben usually will make a friendly wager for a beer. “We are a community bar,” Christiansen said. “I love being here in San Diego and I love rooting for the Chargers. Just once in a while I find the small conflict of my hometown roots verses my new life here in San Diego.” OK, I felt better. The world is not coming to an end and the establishment of Guava Beach will continue to play host to their two beloved teams. Christiansen also suggested that I seek medical attention for my apparent anxiety disorder. Hmm. Maybe what he said is true. Maybe everything will be OK. But, just in case Christiansen is mistaken … head to Guava Beach bar on Sunday to (potentially) see owners Ben and Eric duke it out in the octagon of football (behind the Guava Beach bar). Guava Beach: great place, great food, great place to watch football. — Walter Ruskin is a member of the San Diego Community Newspaper Group’s “Ugly News Team.”
