12/15/2025
💚 In Loving Memory of Paul George Vrakas 💛
Some people don’t just live full lives — they shape the lives, spaces, and traditions around them.
Paul George Vrakas (November 23, 1927 – December 10, 2025) was one of those people.
Paul was a dedicated public servant, a successful restaurateur, a gifted jazz musician, and above all, a man who believed deeply in community, music, and gathering people together.
After serving in the National Guard during the Korean War, he went on to run beloved restaurants where friendships were formed and stories were shared — the kind of places that feel like home.
Music was his heartbeat. A remarkable clarinetist, Paul played live jazz twice a week well into his 90s — and yes, he even played on our stage at The Roxy Encinitas at the age of 90. His love of live music, laughter, and togetherness lives on here every night.
Paul’s wisdom and values didn’t stop with him. They were passed down to his son, Dan Vrakas, affectionately known to many as DTM (Dan the Man) whose guidance, leadership, and steady hand constructed and transformed both Roxy locations into what they are today.
This continued and passed down knowledge, hard work ethic, leadership and enthusiasm can be felt each day by Paul’s Granddaughter .like.abdul
Many of the details at The Roxy — from nightly live music to menu inspirations like Paul’s Butter Burger — exist because of him. His spirit was already woven into the fabric and Generational Hospitality of The Roxy that you know today.
Paul was a mentor, a philanthropist, a joyful musician, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and a constant source of inspiration to our owner Paula and to all of us who are lucky enough to carry his influence forward.
Thank you Paul, Dan, and Paula for the music, the stories, the meals, and the reminder that Community and Family matters. 💖
Paul, you are, and always will be, part of The Roxy. 🎶♥️🙏
