Goodbye Sugar, Hello Saloon

So back in July, Sugar Bar down on Park St. in Arena District closed down...temporarily. It was said that the owners The CGS Group (also owners of Park Street Patio, Cantina, The Social and the former Sugar Bar) shut the place down to revamp it.


But The CGS Group is ready to reveal their newest concept with the grand opening of Park Street Saloon. This new piano bar will open September 16, 2010! Oh, you know I'll be there, and I'll post again with a review.

It makes sense because these guys, Corso, Gallicchio and Swanson, are known to reinvent their night spots every so often. Cantina would be the most recent example of this (it just opened in May 2010 and was previously known as Spice).

Talent for the new bar has already been booked. And they are hiring, too. Bartenders, servers, barbacks, security, entertainers/musicians etc., are being recruited.

Photos courtesy of thecgsgroup.com. (Sorry for the photo quality, I don't have a hi-res version)

Nitelife Review: Suite 143

There's a new name to add to your short list of night spots here in The Bus.

Suite 143, a new, swanky bar and lounge downtown in the red-brick district, shows us a "suite" time.

The bar/lounge had it's grand opening in the beginning of this month. I had to the privilege of enjoying happy hour at the bar on their first Wednesday night in business, and definitely had a good time. (Loved their menu of specialty martinis and mixed drinks...particularly one called "The Chris Brown").

The curb appeal of this club can be deceiving at 303 S. 4th Street (near Main St.), in that the front door is tucked away, so you have to make sure you keep your eye out for the modern, rought-iron gate with the logo that, once you've entered it, leads you through a bricked hallway between two buildings.

As I was walking underneath iron fire escapes, I couldn't help but feel transported to a place like Chicago or New York -- the feeling was very urban. Once I was inside, I was greeted with a cool, blue atmosphere and a to-die-for chandelier. The interior design for the club was nicely done; there's a great use of color and lighting. The bar itself is front and center in the building, so it's a very cocktail-hour type place.

One thing I will say is that I was a little surprised by the size of the bar/lounge. It is a little on the small side. But that doesn't mean a thing, because if your M.O. is swaying to today's hottest lounge grooves, catching up with friends over signature mixed drinks or wine in an intimate space, then you will find yourself here often, I'm certain.

The size of the place could only become a problem in that it might inhibit large numbers of people from being able to hang out there, or have a party, for example. There isn't much of a dance floor either, so this wouldn't be the place to come if you're really trying to cut a rug.

Mayor Michael Coleman stepped out, gracing Suite 143 on its opening night, as well as local celebrity, Power 107.5FM radio DJ and co-host of Power Morning Crew, Misty Jordan (pictured below). President and CEO of the Columbus Urban League, Eddie Harrell and his wife were also there to be one of the first few to test out the new lounge (not pictured).

Since it's opening, the place grows in popularity with each passing week. If you ask me, I'd definitely recommend this place.

Photos courtesy of Kelsey Crenshaw of Chameleon Photo & Deisgn, and C. Wise Entertainment.

The Party is Over for Martini Park

On the way to work early the week of May 31st, I faintly heard the guys on WNCI 97.9 mention something about Martini Park closing.

I disregarded it as bunk, because it didn't make sense that a place as hoppin' as Martini Park would slam-shut their doors, pack up and flee the Easton Towne Center scene just like that (finger-snap).



Oh, but they did. And yes, Jimmy and Dave were right, though Martini Park wasn't "closing," they had ALREADY closed. It literally seemed to happen over night.

And it's a shame because the place (which uses the slogan "a playground for grownups") attracted an extremely age-diverse crowd, but really hit a sweet spot in the market for the "grown folks" -- the 30+ with kids set. And that's because very, very few night spots venture into that niche, so it was ripe for the taking.

Think about it, 1) just because you are married with (or without) children doesn't mean you shouldn't get to enjoy some weekend nights here and there 2) if this cohort does decide to head out for a night on the town, they most likely want to be around other individuals in the same phase of life as them...no one wants to feel like a senior-citizen creeper who looks as though they're trying to relive their glory-days amongst people the same age as their kids. It's just as awkward for them as it is for the 20 somethings. And 3) if you are of the younger age group, you know you too will want to break out of the house every now and again, later on in life, and not have to feel like your social life is over just because you're 42. Plus, this bar/club was in the 'burbs...where most of that exact demographic lives.

Oddly, the Chicago location of this (I'm just now finding out--is a chain) bar has just as suddenly closed its doors. Martini Park had only been in Columbus since late 2008, and back when they came, the original location in Plano, TX disappeared?! My guess is, it has something to do with the chain (and its management) and nothing to do with Columbus, Easton or lack of business, because, as I said, from what I have heard, they always had people there for the food, drink specials, special events like costume parties and bachelorette shindigs, and most of all for the variety of live music and dancing.

Here's what ColumbusUnderground.com has on the story.

So now, one of the key hot spots for the 30+ niche is gone. So where will all the grown folks go? Hey--that's a business venture right there.

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Nitelife Review: Onyx -- More than Meets the Eye

So I lied, I was going to review the new club Onyx that's in Upper Arlington off of Henderson yesterday, but I was not able to do so...with good reason. First, I was awakened to news that America's Next Top Model was having a casting call for their Cycle 12 season in Columbus (!!!) at Eastland Mall yesterday. Being a big fan of Tyra, ANTM and modeling (something I've always wanted to try my hand at if given the chance...) I went to the try-outs. I am going to write a separate blog about that after this one. But my fun day didn't stop there; my boyfriend and I went to the midnight premiere showing of Batman The Dark Knight! It was amazing! That warrants another blog as well.

So, finally, I get to tell you about my thoughts on Onyx.

Onyx definitely had more than met the eye. When I first drove up, I was skeptical...it was in a standard shopping center, two doors down from the Krogers, and across the street there were homes, so it was a residential area. I couldn't help but wonder how long the neighbors would be able to take the booming house music before they complain to the city.

The grand opening was free, and when I peered in the glass door, it just appeared to be a banquet hall that was outfitted with some strobe lights and a disco ball. There weren't many people in there, from what I could tell, and those that were already inside were of all ages and backgrounds. The place has yet to distinguish itself as a lounge/bar that attracts a certain group of people, for example the grown-n-sexy crowd or the young, professional set.

But once I actually walked into the place, I realized that there was actually a bigger turn-out than it seemed, and the place was so big that there was lots of room to spread out. One room just led to another and another, it was pretty cool. It was pretty much Onyx, connected to The Arlington Cafe connected to Cazzie's, so you could switch around between all three. There were at least four main bars that each featured plenty of top-shelf brands and different genres of music. 

The first room was the darkest and the loudest, and it was mainly a dance floor, a DJ booth and a modern bar, but off to the right-hand side was a VIP section. Again, all ages of types of people were having fun cutting a rug, so to speak. It was actually kind of cute. Because it was it's own separate area, the VIP area was quite private and intimate. There was contemporary decorating in that section, an orangish glow and a fireplace that may or may not have been real (because it is summer, there were lights flashing on metallic paper made to look like real fire in the unit so I am not sure whether, come winter, it will be used as a real one). If you are one of those high-rollers who enjoys anonymity and seclusion, then this would be a great VIP spot for you and your entourage. If you are one to be the center of attention--you enjoy being seen and want all club-goers to envy your VIP status, then this may not be a great place for you and your posse. The walls make it hard for people to see who's privy to that section, and interaction with non-VIPS proves challenging unless you come out onto the main floor with the "regulars."

The doors open onto a patio, from the dance room, and you soon realize you are out in the atrium. There is no ceiling there on the patio, as the area is blocked in by doors to the other parts of the venue. In the center of the atrium is a huge statue, though the feel is much more like that of a neighborhood sports bar. From one room to the next, it's as if you aren't still at the same place. Even the types of people and attire seem to change.

Across the patio, through another set of doors, you enter, what I believe is The Arlington Cafe part. This room is an equal mix of billiards, cocktailing, dancing and sport spectating. One huge thing I have yet to mention is the number of flat screen TVs in this place. In just this room, there were 29! I am guesstimating the other rooms had at least 10 in each. I have never seen so many flat-screened TVs in one lounge/bar. For real, this is THE place I am going to come to next when I want to watch a big sports event. You wouldn't miss a second because you can look at a TV from any angle. They even have TVs in the bathrooms.

The bathrooms were nice too, by the way. Slate-colored travertine tiles covered the floors and went half-way up the walls, and it was very well-kept. The final room appeared to be a restaurant and bar, and this was the part called Cazzie's. There was a live-band schedule posted, so clearly, they have live music on certain nights. Again, modern decor but a laid-back atmosphere. An upscale dive bar/diner, I'd say.

In all there was so much room to hang out, and there really is something for everyone there. I recommend that you head over to Onyx on a night where you have a big mixed group; when you've got some people who like to drink beers and watch the game, while others who are active and like to play pool while they knock 'em back, but you've also got those friends mixed in there who love to dance or sip martinis while deciding which Express-clad guy they want to dance up on next, all together in one group. Here, everyone will be happy!

Draft drinks were about $2.50, domestic bottles $3-3.50, well drinks rang up at about $4 to $6 and that night, they were walking around with $2 jello-and-whipped cream shots. I am not sure how much cover would be on a regular weekend night, or what the daily specials would be, if any.

Don't judge a book by its cover, though, and decide not to go in, just because the outside may look like a low-rate strip club or a hair salon from the curb. Once you head it, you realize it's very easy to have a good time there.