Unlike its predecessors, Virtue and The Spot, Night Owl won’t have a dancefloor.
Trinity Social co-owner John Saris bought the space across the street from his club, once occupied by competitors. Aiming to open in August, Night Owl will be a late-night snack bar, serving small portions, cocktails, and craft beer with lots of seating for students who want something different.
“I can’t underscore enough that it will not be a nightclub,” Saris, said in an interview with The Journal.
Building on feedback Saris has received about Trinity, Night Owl will be closer to a bar than a nightclub. Though it will be dimly lit with seating, snack foods, and music, Saris still hopes to create a bustling atmosphere where students can come to relax and see each other.
Once home to turbulent businesses Virtue and The Spot, Saris believes overcoming the space’s past will be one of his biggest challenges. He said Trinity Social’s reputation will attract people who want an experience different from the one The Spot offered.
Saris has been looking at acquiring the space across from Trinity for years and has a habit of rehabilitating “underperforming” bars. Trinity Social is a testament to Saris and his business partner’s success at turning clubs around, he said.
“We have a pretty good tradition of being successful with these places, because we like to run clean places. We’d like to run safe places. We like to run places that are welcoming to students of all kinds,” Saris said.
Though he’s run many nightlife establishments before, Saris said he’s excited to sink his teeth into this next challenge. The food and cocktail menu will be a notable departure from dollar beer nights at Trinity across the street, which students flock to every Tuesday and Saturday. Saris plans to feature different drinks and cocktails each week, while also offering non-alcoholic beverages.
Upon exiting the Night Owl space on Wednesday, two young men approached Saris asking when Night Owl would open. They promised to attend in August, leaving Saris grinning.
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