The Rebirth of GoldBar
[GoldBar, 2007]
Rumors of GoldBar closing down and or changing ownership have swirled around the nightlife industry for well over a year. These rumors proved to be nothing more than hearsay as GoldBar stayed open for business and relevant by way of its longtime running Funday party hosted by the club's former doorman, Jonny Lennon. The summer of 2012 marked the first time when a change at GoldBar seemed imminent as individuals close to the lounge shared information with NYNightlife via email. In June, the first notable email contained a private real estate listing of the GoldBar space. Still, this could have meant GoldBar's owners were fielding offers to see how the market values its space. To probe the situation, NYNightlife reached out to Goldbar's then PR representative Steve Kasuba who spoke with owner Jamie Mulholland and said "It's business as usual, he [Jamie Mulholland] has no plans of closing."
Fast forward to July when word came in of Jonny Lennon leaving GoldBar, along with its doorman Anthony Vennitti and resident DJs. So what was going on? Who was taking over GoldBar? Jonny Lennon was mums-the-word on the situation. Then in August, another source tipped off NYNightlife stating somebody from Hudson Terrace would be taking over the club's lease. But who?
To find out more, NYNightlife asked Shaun Rose, then of Hudson Terrace what he knew about the situation. Erring on the side of caution, Mr. Rose denied knowing anything about his colleagues' potential involvement with GoldBar. Come September, Shaun Rose sent a followup email to NYNightlife coming clean about his involvement in the purchase of GoldBar. The nightlife veteran broke the news he would be taking over and relaunching GoldBar in the fall.
To find out more about the situation, NYNightlife chatted further with Shaun about purchasing GoldBar and what we can expect from the club. Shaun said:
Sometime in early summer, with the encouragement of my good friend (and now business partner) Josh, I had decided to start looking for a space. Most of my contemporaries had moved into ownership or roles with the big groups. I figured it was my time.
When I began, what I was looking for was actually quite different from Goldbar. After seeing a couple of different spaces that didn't peak my interest, my broker suggested that I take a look at Goldbar.
Although I've always been a fan of the room, it really was different from what I was looking for. However, one day we were going to be in the area and I had not been in the room in a long time so I figured I would take a look.
Considering the age of the room, it was still an impressive room. It definitely needed a facelift but just something to make it feel a little new. I stopped by a couple of nights to see it during operation. Overall the crowd was very respectable and there was still a great feeling about the space.
On one of my visits there, I had bumped into Jonny Lennon. Jonny and I have known each other for a very long time; however, we hadn't spoken in a while. We got together and spoke and talked about my intentions for the space. We're both on the same page about where we thought the space could go and what needed to be done to get there.
At the same time I had been working for several months with Udi Vaknin. He had a very different background from me. I have basically spent my entire adult life in nightclubs. Udi had a great background in restaurants. He worked a places like Sushi Samba and Buddha Bar. His understanding of service and hospitality was something that I really wanted for this project.
All of us understand and respect the history of the venue. What Goldbar was at its best is something that I think is really missing in the cities current landscape. A venue that is true New York. A place that is opulent and edgy not only aesthetically but mirrors that through the staff and clientele.
We have made some great changes that really freshen up the room. When you visit it will still feel like GoldBar but, it will also feel like a new venue.
We will be open for events, tastings and friends and family though December.
With all that being said, when anyone talks about Goldbar, there are two things that are always mentioned; our gold skulls and Funday.
I know a lot of people have missed Funday and have waited for its return. Starting Sunday, December 2nd, the wait is over.
Jonny Lennon has returned to GoldBar to join Shaun Rose at the helm. Also returning is Anthony Vennitti, the club's doorman. Tim Cooper is back as head bartender and is said to have created a new cocktail menu. Colin Bryson, a bartender with PKNY and Dutch Kills will also be crafting drinks behind the bar. Tonight's invite-only Funday party will have music by Jesse Marco, DJ Sinatra, DJ Theory and Julian Cavin with photography from Kirill Bichutsky of KirillWasHere.com
