Prime & Le Royale Reincarnating

Word comes of the sale of the outer Chelsea midsize club Prime. Often called Quo (referring to a tackier incarnation of the space), the club will be relaunched for the fall with what would have to be a better management team. The room is amazing, with high ceilings and scarce columns, and it could be a home run under a more sophisticated team's control. I liked most of the old players but always felt there were too many chefs in that kitchen. They didn't seem to able to adjust to the changing realities of the area. Carlo Seneca was always trying to do the right thing, but his partner Gary Malhotra was a disgrace. I actually learned over time not to despise Gary as most in the business tend to; I felt really sorry for him. A lawyer who definitely knows the difference between right and wrong, Gary consistently crossed the line and behaved despicably. It is amazing that the joint lasted so long. In spite of severe economic times, a general demise of the neighborhood, and Gary's charming ways, the space survived, until now.

The Le Royale transition is supposedly complete, with a quick redux in the cards. Despite efforts to keep this story supper hush-hush, I have been inundated with information mostly coming from disgruntled former employees. Just because they’re disgruntled doesn’t mean they’re lying. A source tells me:

Terry Casey along with Peter James and an investor, a young guy whose name I cannot remember, started negotiations with Elaine (the liquor license, and original owner of Luke & Leroy’s) and David to become the new owners. Michka Bengio (who is on student visa) and his partner, an Israeli (has some charge against him) had the funding to purchase the club as well. Now Michka and the Israeli would have had the club a long time ago, but they were focused on getting Movida (across the street), but the neighborhood wouldn’t allow an extended license to stay open until 4am because of noise. Also they had the problem of not having a proper signature for the club, which is where their designer friend from Toronto, Raj, comes in. He is the way they could get the club. Clean record. The club was supposed to be signed over on Friday, but there were complications so the club stayed open. Then it was supposed to be signed by 12pm on Monday, but Raj could not get to the city. Finally Tuesday the papers were signed at noon, and the locks were changed. It is officially closed. Michka and the Israeli will gut the club and reopen it, along with two other clubs within the next year and a half. Debts have not been paid. Most employees have other jobs, so they will be fine. But the promoters are all screwed on the deal.

Le Royale was one of my favorite hangs. I absolutely adore Terry Casey, and I hope he lands on his feet here. If not, his Brooklyn banger will be the biggest lure to Brooklyn for me since I gave up Peter Luger for seitan and salad.

I am looking forward to the “you don’t know me” benefit from Gigantic, Opium, and Bomb magazines at Bowery Electric Wednesday night (8pm). There will be short plays, long-haired bands, micro-readings, video installations, performances, and DJ Catherine Pierce of the Pierces. According to a release, it will attract a crowd of “writers, magazine editors, agents, book publishers, bloggers and new media types.” Of particular interest to me is the opera singer spoken-word performance artist Joseph Keckler. I caught his act the other night at Envoy gallery on Christie between Delancey and Broome. He is the real deal, and I cannot recommend anyone more. By the way, I caught several acts that night over at Envoy. The evening was a strong reminder that I am the “nightlife correspondent” for BlackBook, not the “club correspondent”—there’s more happening on a Saturday night than the usual cast and crews that are often so tedious. Envoy offers a mixed bag of brilliant performances and art. I enjoyed the change.