Liquid, a mainstay of the Warehouse District nightlife scene for 24 years, closed its doors for good last June. Following months of construction and renovation, that venue’s replacement will open on or around April 19, according to management. When it does open, The Ivy (1212 W. Sixth St.) will usher in a new option for dining, entertainment and nightlife for West Sixth Street.
“We’re not just going to be a dining experience or a nightlife experience, but we’re hoping to capture everything,” explains GM Julie Marlowe. “With all of these residents moving down here, we always say that we want to be neighborhood first. We really want to attract the residents and businesses down here, to be the local place to go.”
The goal was to create a destination that was less confined to a single purpose – be it eating, drinking or dancing – and more of a transitional space. By utilizing different lighting, sound, music and menus, the Ivy will evolve from casual happy hour meetup to stylish dinner-date venue to riotous dance party place. Today’s entertainment consumer, argues management, is desperate for something other than the same-old cocktail bars, bistros and breweries.
A new open floor plan, sound system and decor will envelop guests in a contemporary club environment, while the chef and kitchen crew will present small plates paired with cocktails, wine and bottle service. As the night progresses, dining room tables will give way to DJs and turntables.
Owner Brent Lewanski admits that he was not prepared for how much time, effort and money it would take to transform the club from Liquid to the Ivy, but ambitious plans combined with an old building resulted in a months-long endeavor.
“We wanted to do something a little more thorough,” he says. “We thought that just doing another coat of paint or moving something around wasn’t enough. I felt that we could do something here that would appeal to the next generation, a neighborhood place that morphs into a nightlife space.”
Check it out for yourself in a couple of weeks.
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About The Author
Douglas Trattner
For 20 years, Douglas Trattner has worked as a full-time freelance writer, editor and author. His work on Michael Symon's "Carnivore," "5 in 5" and “Fix it With Food” have earned him three New York Times Best-Selling Author honors, while his longstanding role as Scene dining editor garnered the award of “Best...
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