Columbian Country Club, a martini and tequila lounge is set to open on Friday, December 22 in East Dallas at 3314 Ross Avenue, Suite 150, Dallas, Texas 75204.
The concept was created and founded by hospitality veteran Brian Rutt, along with his partners Justin Kallhoff and Jonathan Rosenberg. All three are owners of Alice restaurant, the Pan-Asian concept one block down from this newest spot. Rosenberg is also Founding Partner of the White Unicorn Agency, a Dallas-based creative agency.
The team recently brought on General Manager veteran, Juan Pablo Sanchez (well known for his time at Georgie, Le Bilboquet, Up On Knox and Lounge 31) to manage the club but also act as a partner in the business as well.
Rutt says of the lounge in a statement, “The inspiration behind this concept was the original Columbian Country Club, a historic Jewish country club here in Dallas. Opened in 1891, the original was located on Main Street in Downtown Dallas and closed down after 100 years in business back in 2004. We wanted to pay homage to this exclusive social club. It was a place that many Dallasites spent a lot of time while growing up. It was a special place for me and my family in particular.”
The new cocktail lounge captures the essence of New York City’s golden era with an old-world glamor, a live piano player, and a martini and cocktail menu with a balance of classics and innovative creations.
The focus of the drink menu is refined martinis and cocktails featuring the finest gins, tequila, vodka, vermouth and bitters. Martini options include The CC Martini – Grey Goose Or Sipsmith Gin, Lo-hi Dry Vermouth, Orange Bitters; Espresso Martini – Tito’s Handmade, Luxardo Espresso, Licor 43, Cocoa Bitters; Apple Martini – Crop Vodka, Apple Schnapps and Lemon; Hanky Panky – Greenhouse Gin, Carpano Antica, Fernet; Vesper Martini; and Dirty Martini.
Highlights on the cocktail menu are the New York Sour “Mazel Tov” – Maker’s Mark, Luxardo, apple spice, Manischewitz float; The Pink Lady – Grey Whale Gin, apple, lemon, pomegranate; Señor Harvey Wallbanger – Dos Hombres Mezcal, Montenegro, Galliano, mango; and the Columbian Margarita – Aguasol Repo, Grand Marnier, passion fruit caviar.
In addition to the martini and cocktail menu, Columbian Country Club features a selection of champagne, red wine, and white wine with some available by the glass and others available by the bottle. Guests can also purchase their own bottle of any type of liquor to keep at the lounge on display in their storage case where a name plate will be added to their reserved space in the case.
A small menu of bites are available with several giving a nod to the original Columbian Country Club including a selection of Caviar, Cobb Deviled Eggs as the club was known for their cobb salad. A couple other notable items are the Nonnie’s Doozie, a classic sandwich from the country club as well as thinly sliced Parmesan Bagels.
The 2,500 square foot space with seating for 100 was designed by local interior design and architecture firm, Wallace Johnson Studio (designers behind Alice, Beverly’s and Sachet).
The lounge features elegant carpet, dimmed lighting and plush seating. Decor from the original country club is featured throughout the space along with pictures of musical artists from the ‘80s and ‘90s. As Rutt says, “Imagine this as a place you would see them go in Wolf of Wall Street.”
Owner of Wallace Johnson Studio, designer Liz Johnson says, “From the entry moment through the inconspicuous door in the back, then down the traditional paneled hallway with floral wallcovering and highly lacquered hunter green walls, the design is meant to invoke a sense of nostalgia and comfort.”
To add to the ambience, a piano player will perform Monday – Saturday and a live DJ will come in after the piano player on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. An old-school, lit dance floor is disguised in the space but when guests want to get on their feet, the dance floor will be revealed.
Rutt explains, “This is a spot that we expect to rival martini and tequila lounges in New York City. You can come here to enjoy crisp martinis whether you are on business or you want to enjoy a date-night and sip on drinks before or after dinner or even skip dinner to enjoy bites and cocktails here. We invite our guests to step into a world of sophistication, nostalgia and elegance unlike anything else in Dallas.”
Columbian Country Club will be open Monday – Wednesday from 4:30 pm – 12 am and Thursday – Saturday from 4:30 pm – 2 am.
