After closing their East Village spot Arrow Bar in January, Zachary Mexico and Billy Jones, who also own Baby’s All Right in Williamsburg, have quietly relaunched the basement boite as Elvis Guesthouse.
The bar’s website explains the name by claiming that Elvis, after faking his death, headed to the Far East and inconspicuously bunked in guesthouses before opening one of his own. The location at 85 Avenue A, designed by Isaac Nichols (yes, he of the boob pot), is supposedly a reproduction of the original, which, judging by some early Instagram photos, had a sauna-like seating area, a wall of roses, a disco-balled DJ booth, and Kama Sutra bathroom wallpaper.
Among the DJs who will do the King proud are former East Village Radio hosts Chances With Wolves, who are kicking off what they describe as the bar’s “inaugural” party on Saturday night, and drummer and “it” girl Tennessee Thomas of the Deep End Club, who will hold court on Fridays. Earlier this week, Purity Ring held a record release party there. And rapper Le1f has also DJed.
There will also be live acts (Grizzly Bear tourmates Regal Degal is doing a free show tonight). “It’s not set up to be a music venue,” Mexico clarified. “But that said, there’ll be some concerts there.” As opposed to being a fully fledged club, the Guesthouse “feels more like a living room,” Mexico said. “Or a random hotel in Kathmandu” where a band that’s staying on the second floor might come down to play.
The Guesthouse’s grand opening is set for March 14. Hours are 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. daily.
