We talked this morning with Brad McCray, co-owner of Little Rock’s new nightspot Club Level, which will have their grand opening tonight, starting at 8 p.m. Level is in the old Blass building at 315 Main Street.
McCray said that crews employed by he and Level co-owner Steven Velek have been working since September to ready the 10,000-square-foot, two-story space, which is the former site of Montego Cafe, the Caribbean-themed restaurant, bar and club which McCray opened with former partner Chris Bowen on Thanksgiving Day 2012. The club closed in September. Asked about the end of the business relationship with Bowen, McCray would only say the partnership didn’t work out.
McCray said the decor for Level was designed with a “Las Vegas look” in mind, which included changing out all fixtures and furnishings, extensive repainting and remodeling, and the installation of a state-of-the- art light and sound system which will compliment the two-level club, with seating on the ground floor and the open dance floor below. McCray said Level will have an unwritten dress code to keep things upscale, with tasteful club wear or professional attire preferred.
In addition to drink specials, McCray said Level will feature a menu of “upscale pub fare” including beer-battered chicken, ribs, fresh guacamole, fresh hummus, and more. The kitchen will be open until midnight each night.
McCray hopes Level’s placement across the street from the newly-reopened Bruno’s Little Italy — which has often seen packed houses — will spark a little synergy between the two establishments and hopefully help spur a Main Street restaurant/club resurgence. “I think we’ll be able to compliment each other,” McCray said. “I’m sure some of our clientele will be different, but for the most part it’s people going out, heading downtown to check out the new Main Street, looking to spend some entertainment dollars. They can have dinner with them and come have drinks with us.”
Visit the Club Level Facebook page here.