The Venue

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So far it’s been knowbn as a high-end nightclub and dance Now the owners want to changwe that and have launched a marketing campaign that accentuatexsfine dining. The high-end party destination in Feather Sound dubs itself an entertainmengt complex of sorts with two restaurantsin 23,00o0 square feet. Viaggio is a tapas restaurant, and Takara offer s sushi and sake. In between sits a martini bar. Upstairw is the dance club with private VIP an owner’s lounge and a private executive lounge for specialp guests. In February, majority owne Bob Darst hired to ramp up awareness of the restauranta and the differentexperiencews available.
Darst also opened the restaurants for Robert Uzillia, executive chef, workesd previously at in Tampa’s and in New It was his idea to have two restaurantas at The Venue, he said. To kick off the new emphasids on cuisine, The Venue scheduled a first-year anniversary party for March 26-2 including a taste-testing lunch with food criticse and VIP and cocktail parties to introduce anew There’s also an advertising campaigjn to promote the lunchb menu. The Venue recorded $6 million in revenue its firstg year, about even with expectations but far short ofits $10 milliohn goal, Darst said.
He’s banking on the believf that the advanced dininyg options will improve business It doesn’t hurt to be located in the heartr of a large employment center. Featherr Sound is across Ulmertonj Road from the Carillonbusinessa district, home to (NYSE RJF), among other firms. During its inaugural year, promotional eventxs at The Venue centered on musixc and thedance club. Saxophone playere Eric Darius had a CD releaseparthy there, and musicians Belinda Womack and Mindy Abair were frequent With the Super Bowl on Feb. 1 came dozens of celebritiee and a packed house every Special stairwells and entrances gave the celebrities cover to the private partytareas upstairs.
Moves magazine, an upscaler publication that targetsprofessional athletes, held a private party during the week, guest hosted by footbal stars including linebacker Ray Lewis and runninyg back Reggie Bush. Formert heavyweight boxing championEvander Holyfield, runninfg back Adrian Peterson and retired football player Michael Strahan were amonh other athletes on hand. Players from the , Tampa Bay Rays and are regularzs in theprivate areas, Darst said. Having an executive lounge where guests pay a premium for privacy isin demand.
“These places are all abouf sexiness, allure and being seen,” said Charl y Robinson, president and COO of , headquartered in E-Brands has seven concepts, includingb four in Las Vegas. Having the differen entertainment areas is anunusual concept, at least in the Tampqa Bay area. But it’s been around for at least five or six year s around the country in larger markets, Robinson said. “You have to be very carefup because bars come and go as people want to checm outnew places. Restaurants have more longevity.” Addingh a nightclub component to a restaurant givess the business another shift or longer hours of arevenude stream, Robinson said.
The owners hope The Venur conceptwill travel. It can be duplicated in part or in whols inother locations, Darst said.