Tejon Street seeing more upscale nightspots

From its dramatic sculptured walls, Purple Cue billiard room, intimate red-walled upstairs "Office" bar and an upscale natural stone-trimmed terrace and upper deck with fire pits designed to warm the see-and-be-seen set, Blondie's nightclub will set a new tone for downtown nightlife when it opens Feb. 16.

The club represents a $2.5 million investment by Sam and Kathy Guadagnoli, who also operate the adjacent Rum Bay-Red Martini complex, The Vue across Tejon Street and Cowboy's bar on North Academy Boulevard.

Included among those is Sam's - World's Smallest Bar, located between Rum Bay and The Red Martini, with its four barstools.

"We researched the former Guinness Book of World Records record- holder, a London pub, before building Sam's," said Kathy Guadagnoli.

"I had my place, so we created this one for Kathy - she's a blonde," Sam said. "We expect to draw a slightly more sophisticated customer who may not feel as comfortable in the younger crowds at Rum Bay or The Vue."

The 2,425-square-foot main level Blondie's and 1,560-square-foot upstairs Office bar can accommodate about 400 patrons. The entrance will be at ground level, off South Tejon Street. The Office bar, designed as a cozier space where customers can enjoy a live jazz combo or vocalist, may be accessed either from the Red Martini or from inside Blondie's. The venue will employ 25 people.

Project architect Doug Comstock of Comstock and Associates said the owners researched the latest trends at Las Vegas and Scottsdale venues prior to selecting the new bar's look and feel.

"They've incorporated modern wall treatments and colors along with plenty of curved surfaces and specialized lighting," he said. "That building is very old and as we were demo'ing the interior we discovered old stone walls along with brick that have been preserved."

He also said that smokers should find Blondie's terrace and overhead deck well-designed for warmth as well as socializing.

General manager Chuck Schafer estimates traffic through his Tejon Street establishments at between 2,500 and 3,000 people on weekend nights.

City sales tax manager Michelle Morgan said her department does not break down restaurant and bar tax revenues for the downtown area, but based on the combined economic impact of multiple bars generating an average tab of $25 to $30 from 5,000 visitors each weekend, the result approaches $8 million annually, before cover charges and add-on purchases.

Future plans for Blondie's include daily lunch service beginning this spring, Schafer said, adding that he hopes to attract the business community with Blondie's eclectic, "New York artsy" ambience.

The Guadagnoli's decision to incorporate major design elements, artwork, high tech panels that double as flat screen televisions or artistic displays, and custom glasswork and lighting is right in tune with today's highly competitive entertainment market. In a 2005 interview with Nightclub & Bar Magazine, industry designer Steve Lewis described what elements make or break a bar's ability to attract clientele.

Asked what trends operators could look forward to in 2006 and beyond, he predicted the increased importance of organic materials and forms in modern silhouettes. He saw a movement toward "incorporation of/allusion to historical references re-imagined in contemporary ways, instead of ignoring the past in favor of sleek, unadorned furniture."

Ambient lighting design and plenty of advanced technology to support the creation of the "perfectly lit environment" and a well- balanced sound system also are key components of a successful operation - all of which are evident in the updated Blondie's and the Office environments.

Lewis also recommended use of murals, which Kathy Guadagnoli decided to incorporate using plastering techniques and paintings.

"I went to the Pikes Peak Library and art magazines before deciding what to do," she said describing the Purple Cue's female- form billiard players.

Of course, Blondie's primary function is to serve as a fun place to unwind after a hard day, and elements such as padded seating, recessed or soft lighting and a prominent platform with a brass pole are in place for those looking for a visit to the wild side.

For now, Sam Guadagnoli said he believes South Tejon Street is well-equipped to handle the plentiful business created by demand from youthful and more mature club-goers, but he already has his eye on another possible location in an emerging south downtown.

"Sure, I've talked with Ray Washburne about his project (Citygate), but we want to own our own buildings," he said. "We'll see if they'd be willing to consider that when the time's right."

In response to some local criticism that downtown retail businesses might be pushed out by a city block devoted to nightclubs and bars, both owners were quick to point out how important healthy retail and residential development is to their future business.

"We're for anything that creates a draw for our business, and we have a lot of faith in downtown," Sam said. "Whether it's the apartments that (Chris) Jenkins is building or the new Cooper Tower hotel that brings people downtown, we're all for it. We want to help build the downtown everyone's dreaming about."