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| Scenario exterior with Boneheads signage |
Scenario, a new establishment billing itself publicly as a "restaurant and lounge," has made a surprising move to further disguise its business. Opened in May at Chastain Square in north Buckhead, Scenario took the place of Chopstix, a long time (but past its prime) Chinese restaurant turned piano bar. Ron Barber was brought in by Chopstix owners Philip Chan and Alvin Yin in early 2010 to oversee the addition of the piano bar and he eventually became a consultant. It's my understanding that Chan and Yin are no longer involved, and that Ron Barber is the sole proprietor of Scenario.
Although many tenants in the center and neighbors in the area were opposed to Scenario when they applied for the necessary permitting to open, Barber's assertion that the business was a "restaurant with dancing" led to its approval. Anchor tenant Publix Super Market allegedly even has a clause in their lease with Equity One, the property's leasing company, prohibiting nightclubs within the center.
I happened to drive by the center this week and noticed a man standing on Roswell Road, just outside the center, advertising "Scenario now featuring Boneheads Grilled Fish and Piri Piri Chicken for lunch and dinner." Upon further research, I determined that Ron Barber, current Scenario owner, was previously a franchisee of Boneheads at Peachtree Battle. Barber's Boneheads was bought out early last year by John Cassimus (of Zoës Kitchen) to open Atlanta's first Maki Fresh, a casual Japanese eatery.
So, with spare Boneheads furniture, fixtures and equipment, Barber has incorporated the restaurant into Scenario, clearly in an attempt to be considered a restaurant first and foremost. Boneheads signage is visible on the exterior of the building and on menus. The decision to add Boneheads, a restaurant featuring South African influenced fare, is unlikely to hurt the business of nearby 10 Degrees South, a South African eatery. I say this because the food at Boneheads is subpar, which further supports my belief that the business is trying to make itself appear as though it's a restaurant.
Oddly, despite the fact I can find no record of a liquor license having been issued, Scenario offers both a full bar and bottle service.
Oddly, despite the fact I can find no record of a liquor license having been issued, Scenario offers both a full bar and bottle service.
Additionally, Michael Carvajal, who is listed as General Manager at Scenario, previously held managerial or marketing positions at Opera, Havana Club and Tongue & Groove (all nightclubs).
A glance at Scenario's website and facebook page ( labeled "Solsticeatl" in the URL as that was its originally planned name ) turn up some other interesting tidbits such as:
The fact that they misspell "Dining" as "Dinning" on their website, indicating either that A, they really don't care if you dine or B, they just don't care.
They feature hookahs.
They state they are "the only place that has International Resident DJs from all over the world which include DJ Oscar G, DJ Donald Glaude, DJ Christian Falero, DJ Chriss Vargas, DJ Nikolas, DJ Ross, DJ Mixx and many more"
Such a variety of DJs, and DJs in general are usually found in clubs, not restaurants.
"Scenario offers 5000 square feet of striking architectural design and lavish décor that sets the stage for the ultimate nightlife experience over the weekend."
Maybe I'm crazy, but when I hear nightlife, I think nightclub.
"Scenario is a hybrid creation that evokes memories for every customer that comes to visit us."
What does this even mean?
Hours: Mon - Tue: 11:00 am - 10:00 pm
Wed: 11:00 am - 12:00 am
Thu - Sat: 11:00 am - 3:00 am
With operating hours as late as 3 am three days a week, covering the three popular "nightlife" days, one would think this was a club.
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| Friday night dinner at Scenario? |
This is not the first time a club has taken up space in an odd location. The Velvet Room, a midtown Atlanta icon for many years, subsequently relocated to a space off Chamblee-Tucker Road. The space they took had been a strange club for a short time before which it was part of a vacant Kroger. (Big Lots occupies the other, larger portion. )
Not far from Scenario, Insomia, another nightclub, was located at Parkside shopping center, also home to Lefont Theaters but has since closed. Pure Nightclub, opened in a former unfinished furniture store on Clairmont Road, but closed less than a year after having its liquor license revoked. Similar to the Scenario situation, the business was approved despite tremendous neighborhood disapproval. Given the "scenario" in Buckhead, I predict the same eventual demise of Scenario.
What is your take on this "scenario?" Do you think this establishment is playing games when it comes to what they really are? Have you been to the center late on a weekend evening and wondered what the heck was going on? Please share your thoughts in the comment section below.
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