The Coaster

Russell Lewis of Asbury Park hopes to open a club on the city boardwalk.

Russell Lewis, operator of the Baker Boys Bakery in Ocean Grove, plans to open his new club on the second floor of the First Avenue Pavilion but it will not be a nightclub in the traditional sense.

Although people will be meeting there and having drinks, only ambient music will be provided and there will be no dance floor, he said.

Lewis attended a press conference last week when plans for the boardwalk redevelopment for the 2008 season were presented by developers Madison Marquette.

Lewis describes a lounge, complete with low slung couches and chairs and a social club where friends can meet – beginning at noon – to chat and just hang out.

A tapas menu, most likely of Mediterranean style food, will be provided along with drinks.

In addition, he wants it to be a place where girl friends can meet and have a glass of wine.

Lewis said he plans to cater to the pre- and post-dinner crowd, or those stopping in for a drink before going to a local concert or show.

Happy hours will be part of the scene as well.

Lewis said all people are welcome, young and old, and added that on a Friday and Saturday night he expects a younger crowd, when the music will be pumped up.

But he stressed that it will not include a stage and be performance focused.

Lewis is designing the club with his partner Andrew Hacking, a designer and architect.

He said the two have traveled extensively and he is patterning the club after several others he has visited including one in Spain.

I love Mediterranean food so Im sure the menu will be Spanish, Italian and Greek an upscale tapas menu, he said.

Lewis, who lives in Asbury Park, is a member of the Board of Adjustment and the Environmental Shade Tree Commission.

Describing the lounge he said, It will be open and airy and a comfortable place where you can come in for lunch and have a light meal and a wonderful beer or dress up and meet girl friends for wine.

He added, It will be a relaxed, sexy, lush environment.
Contact Joanne Papaianni at joanne@thecoaster.net.

Coaster Photo: An upscale club is scheduled to open on the second floor of the First Avenue Pavilion on the Asbury Park boardwalk this summer.

This entry was posted on Thursday, January 24, 2008 at 4:19 pm and is filed under Asbury Park, Ocean Grove. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.