Dig this scoop, hep cat, a brand new jazz joint is opening up in the East Village, but you gotta be sure to keep this scoop secret.
Hi-Note is a brand new jazz concept from entrepreneurs Gregory Reese, Phillip Reichenberger, and Darnell White. Envisioned as a combination jazz lounge, coffee café, and karaoke bar, Hi-Note will serve coffee in the morning until 4:00 PM, when it will switch to beer, wine, and liquor service. For the menu, Hi-Note is expected to serve light snacks like assorted pastries, Acai bowls, and yogurt and granola. The café will also serve grab-and-go options like sandwiches with cured meets, charcuterie boards, grain bowls, and Greek salads.
Prior to opening up Hi-Note, the principals formerly operated Baby Grand, another popular karaoke bar known for its intimate setting. While Baby Grand also closed down due to Covid, the owners have since acquired a new space for the location and are in the process of developing it. Their progress can be tracked on their Instagram account.
Moving into the space 188 Avenue B, Hi-Note will be replacing Rue B, a well-known bar and live music venue that operated in Alphabet City for nearly 23 years. Rue B sadly closed down in October 2021, and while owner Mike Camacho announced his intention to revive the lounge at a new space, no more news has been broken about the space since their closure. As a former jazz lounge, the space is well-outfitted to meet the Hi-Note team’s needs, which will include the operation of a new karaoke machine.
The space at 188 Avenue B will be able to accommodate about 30 seats in the interior, as well as a 15-foot standing bar, but the space also features an outdoor garden that will be made available for patrons. Hi-Note is currently proposing operating hours of 8:00 AM – 4:00 AM every day, though the hours are subject to change should the community board identify any potential issues.
