Bongiovi In His 'Element'; Matthew Bongiovi, Brother of World-Famous Rocker, & Partner Vincenzo Rizzo Open Exclusive Lounge In Sea Bright, New Jersey, October 21st.

Entertainment Editors

SEA BRIGHT, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 15, 2003

Waterfalls, Plasma Screens, & The Principles of Feng Shui 

ELEMENTS, THE LOUNGE

Introduces The Next Generation of Night Life

"It's been our dream to own an exclusive nightspot say partners Matthew Bongiovi and Vincenzo Rizzo of Elements, The Lounge. "I took what I liked from my experiences in New York, Miami, Los Angeles, Europe, and beyond, stated Bongiovi and together with Vincenzo, created a nightclub experience unlike what most people might expect," a unique new night spot opening in Sea Bright, New Jersey on October 21st. (A celebrity-studded, invitation-only event will follow in November.)

"I've been in the entertainment business for over ten years, and I definitely see people gravitating toward a lower volume of energy in the club scene," says Bongiovi, brother of world-famous rocker, Jon Bon Jovi. "People go out and they don't necessarily want to hear the clang and bustle of a restaurant. They don't want to have to push to get a drink at the bar. I want people who frequent Elements to feel as relaxed and comfortable as they would feel at home."

Raised in Holmdel, New Jersey, Bongiovi began his career first as production assistant, then logistics coordinator, and finally tour manager for older brother Jon's superband and followed by impressive stints as general manager for Los Angeles' famed Laugh Emporium, The Comedy Store, talent coordinator for House of Blues, Inc., and a talent buyer for live entertainment giant Clear Channel.

However, through it all, Bongiovi and childhood friend and construction and real estate executive Vincenzo Rizzo nursed the desire to open a night spot in their native New Jersey like no other.

Get Your Feng Shui On

Perhaps key to the understanding the unique aesthetic of Elements is a working familiarity with the principles of Feng Shui. Literally translated as "wind-water," Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese practice in which a structure or location is chosen or configured to achieve maximum spiritual harmony; the architectural design and decor of Elements is inspired by this philosophy.

"The decor reflects the name of the lounge and each of the elements," explains Elements co-owner, Vincenzo Rizzo. Each of the five elements--water, wood, fire, metal, and earth--are represented in the dramatically conceived yet intimate-feeling, dual-level, 6,700 square foot space. From 11-foot high waterfalls, hardwood cherry floors, to sconces and candles embedded in the lounge's brick walls, to copper framed menus, and over-size plasma screens playing computer generated imagery behind the bars, the earth-hued elements of the lounge bespeak class, cool, authenticity, and globe-trotting internationalism.

Elements' pan-Asian fusion menu, too, reflects that same spirit of worldly adventure. Though Elements does not include a formal sit-down dining room, a menu featuring Asian fare including wok fried calamari salad, peanut chicken satay, mango-melon lobster salad, flame seared tuna tataki, hot shrimp cocktail, a variety of sushi and tasty gourmet finger foods complement an exclusive wine list and upwards of 25 martinis and other specialty drinks. These libations are created by Elements General Manager, Josh Schwartz, winner of the 1999 Beefeater International Bartenders U.S. Championship, and formerly of such trend-setting New York City nightspots as The Park, Studio 54, Veruka, and Float. Unlike those famed clubs, Elements is outside the jurisdiction of New York's draconian smoking and cabaret laws! Indeed, smoking is not only permitted at Elements, one of the upstairs VIP rooms feature oversize beds and exotic Middle Eastern hookahs.

The soundscape at Elements, too, reflects the nightspot's refined sensibility. "At Elements music is a backdrop," says Bongiovi. "I want people to be able to converse without screaming at each other." Akin to classic lounges like the W Hotel or The Oak Room at the Plaza, there is no dance floor and will not be any live bands at Elements. That said, Bongiovi has brought in an acoustical wizard to design the lounge's soundscape. "We teamed up with my brother's sound engineer, Obie O'Brian, who designs all of Jon's recording studios. Obie has created a sound experience at Elements that changes from area to area. The DJ booth has a view of the rooms downstairs, so he'll be able to tailor the music to the kind of people he sees in different areas of the lounge."

48 exclusive Elements memberships are available with lounge benefits to include:

Preferred door treatment for members and their guests (e.g., immediate entry)

Personal wine lockers

Invitations to special VIP club events such as wine tastings, private member parties, New Year's Eve and holiday parties, and celebrity-driven events (The owners have access to a helicopter pad down the street from Elements, and plan on flying in celebrity friends!)

"The site is spectacular," says Bongiovi and Rizzo. "We're directly opposite the ocean, and can't imagine a better setting for this experience. We built Elements close enough to New York to attract the hip, grown-up crowd, but far enough away to avoid the frantic club kid scene."

Elements, The Lounge opens Tuesday, October 21st. Regular operating hours are Tuesday through Sunday, 8:00PM-2:00AM. Dress code is trendy casual (no sneakers, jerseys, baseball hats, beachwear). There is no cover charge.