Our team set about creating a karaoke club in a former subterranean lounge in Dream’s Midtown hotel that’s heavy on the theatrics. That approach starts at Jelsomino’s entry door, which is a bright red, tufted leather affair, complete with a speakeasy-style peep slot. Once inside, guests stop at the reception desk for a photo op at a step-and-repeat wall, then make a grand entrance through a set of theater curtains into the club’s main hall.
That space is a theater-in-the-round, with luxe tufted banquettes surrounding an illuminated stage at its center. The hall also features cocktail tables with shattered glass tops, ottomans with snare-drum strapping, and walls bearing images of such rock icons as Mick Jagger and Janis Joplin. Overhead is an elaborate, DJ-controlled marquee light grid.
Jelsomino also houses two smaller, more exclusive spaces. The backstage room is a bar that takes its inspiration from a talent trailer with dressing-room bulbs flanking the liquor display and incorporated into a sign spelling out the club’s name. In keeping with the cinematic motif, the bar is home to custom director’s chairs with backs bearing the names of dead rockers spelled out in steel rivet heads.
Finally, there’s a private room that’s outfitted like a rock star’s home recording studio, complete with mink-suede tufted walls, fiber-optic stars overhead, crystal chandeliers and a mini-stage with its own “On Air” light.