Broadway Louie’s is settling at new location

Walk into the new Broadway Louie’s location at Broadway at the Beach and one will immediately recognize a number of the nightclub’s signature touches.

There are the many banners hanging from the ceiling with the names and logos of both college and professional football teams; the wealth of televisions tuned to a variety of sports; and the stage that karaoke fans stand on and sing for the crowd.

A noticeable difference, though, is the smaller space Broadway Louie’s now occupies since leaving its former home just a few feet down in Celebrity Square at Broadway at the Beach on Nov. 1.

“We’re still adjusting to it being a smaller space than where we came from,” said assistant manager Brian Carruthers. “We don’t have any complaints, per se. It’s just a matter of adjusting to the new space.”

The relocation of Broadway Louie’s into the space that once housed Country Roads and Rodeo is just one of many changes currently taking place at Broadway at the Beach. Burroughs and Chapin Co. Inc., announced earlier this week plans to bring in a Dave & Buster’s, Paula Deen restaurant, a new nightclub and more.

In addition, Revolutions nightclub closed in November after nearly 20 years in Celebrity Square; Planet Hollywood shut down in September after 19 years in the globe-shaped building off 29th Avenue North; MagiQuest, which offered families a live-action role playing game, also closed in September after a decade in business.

Broadway Louie’s may have moved, but closing is not in the cards. In fact, maintaining the same vibe is what is in the cards, according to Carruthers.

“This is where you come to watch football on Saturdays and Sundays. This is where you come for karaoke if you’ve got friends visiting from out of town,” he said. “Come have a good time.”

For the kids, Broadway Louie’s also brought several of their most popular video games along during the move. A separate company was actually in charge of the games, Carruthers explained, so they didn’t get to keep them all.

The downstairs of Broadway Louie’s is devoted to sports and karaoke. For those who aren’t as keen to hear renditions of “Don’t Stop Believin,’” they can retreat upstairs to the Jack Daniels Lounge, which is complete with televisions, sofas and a VIP area.

As for that karaoke crowd, Carruthers said there is not a huge contingent at the moment because of it being the shoulder season.

He isn’t exaggerating. On a recent Monday night, only a handful of patrons were in Broadway Louie’s, having a few drinks, eating some food and watching ESPN.

Still, for those who do come out for karaoke either doing the week or on the weekends, their fall karaoke contest is in effect. Then, there is the Talent Quest karaoke contest which starts Monday after the Super Bowl, Carruthers said.

As far as any changes Broadway Louie’s may undergo at its new home, Carruthers said they will be relegated to possible new food menu options.

For Broadway Louie’s, they want both past and present customers to know that even with their location change, the spirit of what made the club so popular is still there.

Carruthers invites people to come out, take a look at the new layout, enjoy a beer and watch karaoke singers take the stage.

Nothing more, and nothing less.

“It’s business as usual for us here,” Carruthers said.

Staff writer Emily Weaver contributed to this report.

This story was originally published February 4, 2016 at 11:00 PM with the headline "Broadway Louie’s is settling at new location."