What could have been just another lounge in Red Bank instead became a loving tribute to prohibition era sippable sin
by Colleen Siuzdak • Photos By Doug Polle
As guests arrive through the doors of Gotham Lounge, they can order a Crusta cocktail and take a step into the experience of the Prohibition period, only this lounge won’t be demure about offering spirits.
Located in Red Bank, the club draws a business-casual clientele with both its engaging art work and speakeasy feel.
Joe Squillaro, co-owner, explained that although the name screams the notorious superhero theme, it’s not entirely a Caped Crusader-themed bar.
“I’m a big Batman fan and my bartender had actually suggested the name,” Squillaro said. “My partners and myself really liked it and decided to go with it.”
There are however, hints of the superhero’s presence throughout—without making the whole a dedication to the famed figure.
“We have a few statues and a few things on the menu a true Batman fan would recognize,” Squillaro said.
The Cobblepot, for example, is a fish taco in honor of Oswald Cobblepot, also known as the criminal The Penguin.
The rest of the menu is the mid-level price range, Squillaro said, including everything from breakfast items to steak sandwiches.
Given the upscale feel of the lounge, its bar food and drink menu are a reflection of that echelon. Drinks include both classic and original cocktails with spirits such as rum, whiskey, and vodka.
Nearby business professionals including lawyers and doctors can wet their whistle on cocktails such as the Crusta (cognac, Grand Marnier, simple syrup, bitters, lemon peel, and Maraschino cherry—though brandy, bourbon or rye whiskey can be substituted for cognac in a pinch).
Prohibition-era history surrounds the theme of the restaurant and attracted Squillaro and partners when choosing its decor and feel.
“We focused on the period because we felt that the décor, the cocktails, and overall style of the period was just really cool,” he said. “Not to mention that the whole story of Prohibition and what people went through to supply and acquire alcohol was just awesome.”
The two-floor building also depicts the dark browns and reds of archetypal 1920s decor. To top that off, an auto-play grand piano is on the first floor of the space and plays over 60,000 songs for a “chill out lounge-type experience.”
The upstairs is designated for live bands, DJs, and comedians, and also as a space to accommodate special events or parties. An unique feature of the lounge is when it becomes an art gallery for guests to shop for pieces or to simply admire the work as they relax. Some artists featured include Peter Max and Bill Mack, the former displaying his famed pop art treatment of Marilyn Monroe.
Squillaro explained it was not at least an initial idea to make the space an adventure in art gallery/lounge synergy, but partner Kutzin thought it would be a novel idea to decorate the walls with something other than standard fare.
“He got so into it, he decided to make it a full-out installation experience,” he said. “It’s done very well.”
Squillaro, familiar with the bumps and bruises of opening a new business (co-owning Catch in Red Bank and Indulge in Long Branch), explained that they still have plenty of work to do in the trendy new establishment.
“I always want things to be as close to perfect as possible,” he said. “Opening doors is the easy part, but being successful is the difficult bit,” adding that he wants to make sure every person who walks through the door gets the fullest experience Gotham can offer.
“I’m just like anyone else,” he offered. “I want people to come in to enjoy themselves…the atmosphere, the cocktails, the food…the overall sensation.”
Gotham Lounge
19 Broad St., Red Bank / gothamredbank.com