In Good Company Hospitality held its grand reopening of Winnie’s Jazz Club on March 19 in the luxurious Refinery Hotel, located in Manhattan’s famous Garment District.
Thirteen years after the club’s original opening, the space has undergone a complete interior redesign led by Garrett Singer Architecture + Design, transforming it into one of the city’s top-notch venues for authentic live jazz evenings.
“We opened Winnie’s thirteen years ago as the Refinery Hotel’s lobby bar, before introducing live jazz one or two nights a week,” Terence Tubridy, owner and founder of IGC Hospitality, said in a press release.
“That programming evolved into something far greater, creating a true jazz destination known for outstanding performances, elevated cuisine and a dynamic bar program.”
The historic space was originally named after Winifred T. McDonald, a businesswoman who leased the ground floor of the former Colony Arcade Building and owned a bustling tea salon and restaurant in the early 1900’s.
“McDonald wore many hats, but she served the Garment District workers,” Tubridy told amNewYork. “She served the ladies that frequented a lot of the shopping on Fifth Avenue because Lord & Taylor and many other department stores were there.”
Winnie’s celebrated its grand reopening in the Refinery Hotel. Photo by Karizma Jernigan
Tubridy said he wanted to honor McDonald’s tradition by making Winnie’s a soft and inviting place where customers could enjoy great food, cocktails, coffee and live music.
With the new reimagining, building upon the initial success of the jazz bar in the early 2010s, Tubridy shared that the space was renamed to Winnie’s Jazz Club to include everyone.
“The music world, especially jazz, is a very close-knit community, especially in New York, so it feels like a club even though it isn’t. And everybody’s invited,” he said.
He explained that, in addition to the name change, an update was necessary to host world-class talent, even though the original concept of the venue was not jazz or live music.
“When we’re thinking about live music, you wanna make sure that there’s soft features that’ll help with the sound,” he said.
For better sound, features such as carpeting and wallpaper were added. Additionally, the redesign included a small performance stage, which helps with depth, width and height of sound, according to Audio Element.
Deep amber and dark emerald velvet, adorned with gold accents, were implemented into the seating design. Patterned wallpaper, 1970s-inspired carpeting, warm, low lighting and a deliberately unobstructed viewing experience make every guest feel more immersed in the night’s performances.
“It’s been a long journey in the hospitality world, especially in New York City. I feel like somewhat of a dinosaur,” Tubridy said. “We are New York City-based, and we truly believe in New York culture.”
Photo by Emma Delahanty
Tubridy knew from an early age that his life would be in hospitality. Growing up in Rockaway Beach, Queens, he worked seasonally at his father’s seaside restaurant, where he learned the ins and outs of business. Through high school and college, Tubridy worked in many different bars and restaurants across the city.
He has invested in hospitality since the early 2000s and founded IGC Hospitality, which owns hospitality venues all over the city.
Tubridy’s success doesn’t just come from his dedication to making beautiful spaces, but also his dedication to fostering growth and opportunities for his staff in a safe and open working environment.
“What I’m most proud of, to be honest, is the people that we work with. Seeing a bar back become a bartender and then become a nurse or a doctor or a fireman…being able to provide these jobs is the fulfillment that really drives me,” he said.
And battling the cycle of viral news or trending social media spots, for Tubridy, it’s about building relationships with customers and employees, so they keep coming back.
“It’s the people’s business first,” he said. “It’s about building customers that become friends and family– that become regulars. That’s always been our priority, taking care of the people around us, whether that’s guests, employees [or] whoever enters your door and beyond it.”
For over a decade, Winnie’s has thrived in the Garment District. The redesign is enhanced by an updated dining menu featuring items such as Portobello Croquettes, Tuna Crispy Rice, a brand new Winnie’s Burger and more.
The venue, which sits just steps away from Times Square, now offers live jazz sets six nights a week, continuing to cement itself as a safe hub for jazz lovers and newcomers alike.
While Tubridy continues to expand the business, Winnie’s Jazz Club will stay where it always has been.
“Winnie was there 100 years ago, so for us, that’s the fun in it,” he said. “Winnie’s Jazz Club belongs with the Refinery Hotel. We don’t need to grow beyond it.”