High-placed VUE adding a nightclub, taking
long view, and aiming to be ‘destination’

By Julie Wilson
KyForward Correspondent

With a soft launch in November, VUE is now ready to make a splash on the restaurant scene in downtown Lexington. Chris Lambert, general manager of VUE, only has a few weeks under his belt with this title, but with 11 years in the restaurant business, Lambert is more than comfortable in saying VUE is ready to become one of Lexington’s finest destination restaurants.

“Downtown Lexington is just so vibrant right now,” said Lambert. “Over the next five or six years, this city is just going to explode.”

And VUE will be ready to host the influx of tourists and staid community residents, not only with its fine dining but with its sister company, Level, a high-end nightclub right next door to the restaurant on the 15th floor of Chase Bank building.

Both the restaurant and nightclub will appeal to the 25 and up market, those who’ve evolved past the college bar scene to a more sophisticated level of entertainment. “They still want to go out and have fun but not in the college scene,” said Lambert.

So marrying this new generation with a lifestyle that suits their new outlook is what Lambert and his staff have mapped out in their new business venture. “If you try to hit every person, you lose your focus,” said Lambert.

So instead, they are reaching out to those interested in a fine-dining experience at VUE, with its 27-year-old phenom chef Ray Cameron. “He creates the most visually enticing plate,” said Lambert. “You’re blown away even before you eat anything.”

And guests can expect nothing but the freshest fare. Everything is made in-house, even the daily gelato flavors that grace the menu. Alltech beef is used in all of the dishes, keeping a focus on what Kentucky brings to the culinary table.

Neighbors of VUE and Level will have even more incentive to visit this new establishment, thanks to the rewards program VUE will be offering soon. Every quarter, VUE will give each neighboring business back 10% of all the money their staff has spent in the restaurant or nightclub.

VUE can also host specialty events, including business meetings, wedding receptions and holiday parties in one of its two party rooms; one seats anywhere from 60-65 people, while the other can serve smaller functions for 20-25 people.

Then having entertainment right next door can segue the dinner crowd to the party in mere steps. Thursdays will host live musical acts, and Friday and Saturday will have an in-house DJ turning the tables under a spectacular light show and sound system. “This is a one-stop place for an elite dinner and a nightclub that will blow the doors off,” said Lambert.

The VUE crew has been working on perfecting their establishment since their inception in November. “Success happens, but not without hard work,” said Lambert. Now, after several months of fine-tuning, Lexingtonians can see the hard work pay off.

Award-winning journalist Julia L. Wilson is owner and publisher behind Story, a magazine that will tell in-depth stories of the people and ideas that shape the Commonwealth. JA graduate of the University of Kentucky, Julie’s work has been featured in Footwear News, Family Safety & Health, HOW magazine, The Lexington Herald-Leader and the parenting blog YummyMummyClub as well as KyForward.com.

Comments

comments