STILL PARTNERS: A SMALL MUSIC VENUE IS ONE YEAR OLDAfter a year in business, Dan Roth and Ray Capone are set to mark both the anniversary and the grand opening of their bar.
Stop in Sea Cliff’s Still Partners on May 29. Horns will be blaring, strings strumming, and the piano pounding as owners Dan Roth and RayCapone mark the one-year anniversary of their bar, Roaring ‘20s-style. “We booked a seven-piece jazz band,” says Roth, also a musician who had always wanted a bar/small venue where music would play a big part. “It’s going to be a heck of a party.” Friends since fourth grade growing up in Williston Park, Roth and Capone bought the bar, known as Partners for about 30 years, last May. Since then they’ve worked on upgrading almost every bit of the space, which they renamed Still Partners. The name fits, as a nice collection of Partners’ signs and other treasures still adorn the walls. Changes include the completely remodeled kitchen, which will soon be serving gastropub fare, led by local chef John Doran. Roth and Capone have 12 beers on tap and are always thinking about what’s missing from their line. StillPartners also hosts events regularly, including live music and local talent showcases—for adults and kids alike. “Having the kids’ event [in March] was oneof the true highlights,” says Roth. “It was great to give all of these youngkids who are passionate about music a stage, sound system, and let them knowwhat it feels like to get up under the lights.” The bar’s first touring band—travelingto Sea Cliff all the way from Texas—will be performing on June 6, honky tonkand country music all night long. While they’ve been in business for a year, Roth and Capone see the anniversary party as a grand opening too. Why? In their minds the major changes will have been done. Now they can work on the small things. Says Roth: “We’ll keep adjusting until things are just right.”--By Elizabeth Winchester |