The 31 Club, which has been opened for almost a year and a half after a meticulous restoration, is continuing in its goal to create a venue that caters to one's more refined tastes. The handsome brick building bridges the historic West Village, Chippewa and Delaware Avenuve at the corner of S. Elmwood Avenue and N. Johnson Park.
The 31 Club is looking to the past to attract new customers. The owners of the restaurant/bar have always had it in their plans to create a classic, refined atmosphere, where customers can escape to a time period where going out entailed enjoying some of the finer things.
The owners are introducing some new elements to its business model, bringing back traditional cocktails that have lost their place in today's bars and even some traditional recipes will find their ways back on the menu. But the addition the owners are most proud of is the introduction of live jazz on Friday and Saturday nights by two of the area's most predominant jazz artists and their bands.
With the introduction of live jazz, customers will be treated to smooth classical sounds while enjoying a first-class dining experience or a classic cocktail at the bar, bringing patrons back to a different period of entertainment.
The entire building, from inside-out, has been totally restored and renovated while keeping the architectural integrity of a pre-1900 built building. Now every weekend, customers will be treated with live jazz from the acclaimed Paul Hage and his band, Mirage, or WNY music hall-of-famer, Wendell Rivera. Both musicians play a different type of Jazz, Rivera a master at Afro-Carrabin and Latin grooves, while Hague is a mystery of a unique sound of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean sounds. Both are accomplished jazz performers making them the house entertainment all weekend long a major investment.
Get Connected: The Thirty One Club, 716.332.3131
While I don't care much about the music - just not my thing - the menu and drinks being of yesteryear is appealing. I haven't been there yet but I'm itching to use a gift cert. that I have. Johnson Park seems like such a huge secret in this city. I was shocked when I saw an updated double sell on Johsnon Park for 190k.
On the topic of music. As nice as it is to have live music during your dining experience, it has to be in moderation. I've had to many times dining out where I was shy of losing my voice from yelling over the music. Tough to enjoy company, food, or drink.
I totally agree with the music being too intrusive at most places. It's supposed to be background music, not in-your-face overdone where you can't enjoy your company and dinner.