This week, Nighttown announced its reopening will be the week of Nov. 6 and comes after a major renovation. Red Restaurant Group purchased the restaurant and jazz club from Brendan Ring in 2021.
Under new ownership, Red began renovations updating the kitchen, bathrooms and HVAC system. There is also a new entrance from the restaurant to the main patio, an updated audio-visual system and an additional bathroom off the patio.
“From the very beginning of this renovation project, the new ownership group prioritized maintaining the spirit, look and ambiance of the Nighttown that has been a cornerstone of the Cleveland food and music scene for so long,” says a news release from Red Restaurant Group.
The storied club and restaurant has been a mainstay in Cleveland since opening in 1965. Since then, the venue has seen the likes of Stevie Wonder, the Count Basie Orchestra and more — earning a nod from DownBeat Magazine as one of the best jazz clubs in the world in 2004.
The finishing touches of the renovation — currently underway — include the reinstallation of original Nighttown artwork, and the news release states that key positions have already been filled, including executive chef Rowan Murray “who is preserving the essence of the old menus and adding some new items.”
Music is expected to resume eventually, but not immediately. The owners are still working with the city “to ensure our stewardship as a music venue is safe for our performers and patrons, including adherence to city-mandated occupancy capacities,” the press release explains.
The owners go on to stress the importance of maintaining Nighttown as a cultural staple, emphasizing that it will feel the same despite modernization. More details are expected in the weeks leading up to opening.
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