For the first time in its 28‑year history, MoMo’s, one of the most beloved pre‑ and post‑game bars for San Francisco Giants fans, won’t open its doors to the public for opening night. That’s because the venue has been rented out by Netflix for an exclusive, invite‑only event tied to the streaming giant’s historic broadcast of the Giants’ season opener against the New York Yankees at Oracle Park.
Netflix’s decision to buy out MoMo’s comes as part of its first foray into live baseball coverage in the United States. The bar, a fixture across the street from Oracle Park and a nexus for Giants fandom, has traditionally been packed with fans wearing black and orange before and after games. But on this occasion, it will be filled with executives, celebrities, and event guests, not the typical crowd of loyal supporters.
From Fan Hub to ‘VIP Experience’
Owner Scott Morton acknowledged that the choice to close to the public wasn’t easy. MoMo’s has thrived for decades by serving the football and baseball crowds that pour out of Oracle Park. Its outdoor patio and game‑day atmosphere are woven into the fabric of San Francisco’s sports culture. But the chance to work closely with both the Giants and Netflix presented a rare opportunity to elevate the bar’s profile and deepen its relationship with the franchise.
To transform MoMo’s for the exclusive event, Netflix’s production partners stripped the interior and dressed it up with podcast booths, artificial hedges, and even a faux dugout, making the space virtually unrecognizable to regular patrons. The aim, Morton said, was to create a backdrop befitting a major broadcast launch, and one that reflected the streaming company’s ambitions.
Despite the excitement around Netflix’s entry into baseball broadcasting, Morton conceded that longtime patrons would feel the absence. “There was a lot of back and forth” before making the decision, he told SFGATE. But ultimately, he said the experience was too significant to pass up.
A Historic Opening Night for Baseball
This year’s season opener carries extra significance beyond the MoMo’s event. For the first time in franchise history, the Giants’ first game, a marquee matchup with the Yankees, is being played at night. And rather than appearing on regional sports networks or traditional broadcasters, the contest is streaming exclusively on Netflix, marking a milestone in how MLB reaches fans.
The shift toward streaming access reflects broader changes in sports media rights and how audiences consume live events. Fans outside the Bay Area who want to watch the Giants’ opener, and the many other games Netflix will broadcast this season, must subscribe to the platform. That’s a shift from decades of more accessible regional broadcasts.
Back to Normal… Eventually
Morton assured that MoMo’s will return to its usual operations for the following home games, when fans can once again gather for the traditional day‑game festivities. After all, “Wednesday night is for the executives,” he said, “and Friday and Saturday is for the real fans.”
In a city where sports and community intersect daily, the Netflix‑sanctioned makeover of MoMo’s represents a collision of culture, commerce, and fandom, and a glimpse at how baseball’s future may be unfolding in real time.
