Need help naming Martini Bar and Restaurant

[nightlife1]

The concept is an upscale restaurant and martini barnear a major lake in North Carolina. There is not much of a nightlife in the area, but some small places near by stay busy and the area is ready for such a venue.

We will feature some small acoustic acts during the week as well as piano acts and some DJs on the weekends. A nice stage will be build in a half circle corner of the venue for this.

Target market is ages 25 and up, singles and couples with a household income of around $100,000 and above.

Menu is yet to be set in place but menu items of a tavern style and something such as paninis have been discussed.

The space is a corner unit of a shopping center next to two moderately busy streets. It is also just off exit 28 of a main interstate and across the street from a wealthy well-known lake front neighborhood. The lot number of the unit is also 28. A nice $1000 square foot patio surrounds the front and parking is adequate.


Names thus far include:
Lot 28
Ex 28
Top Shelf

For marketing reasons would love to play off of the number 28 but also like play-on words. Any suggestions or brainstorming would be greatly appreciated!!!!!!!!!

[monkee28]

maybe a play on words on both. E.g.
Shaken not stirred.
- Shake 28
Royale 28
Olive 28
Bond Lounge
Classic 28 named after "classic martini"
Martinez 28 "according to wikipedia, where the martini originated"

[Michael Black]

Definitely not Top shelf

I like Lot 28 even though I usually don't go for naming a place after the address, etc..

X28 if the exit and not ex28 or how about.....

Club Royale or

Marini Ranch

[Jallen0]

The Lake Norman area perhaps? I drive buy it every time I do a VJ gig in Charlotte.

I hate an olive name. I've seen too many reviews twist that around to include the words olive pit in bad reviews

That being said, I'm sorry I don't have any suggestions using 28 either.
Maybe come up with a name and use the 28 in a tag line perhaps?

I'll think more about this one.

[RWP]

28 Nights
Tier 28
Pier 28

[nightlife1]

First off thank you for everyone's input so far.

Monkee28:
Shaken not Stirred was definitely on my beginning list after a bit of research on the actual origin of the martini, so its definitely worth looking at Shake 28. I just feel something like "Shaken not Stirred" was too long, and felt more like a tag line maybe.

Michael Black:
I think you are right that X28 is better than ex28. I am just not sold on it either way, I believe there is definitely a better name out there, so please feel free to keep brainstorming for us, we really appreciate the input.

Jallen0:
I am with you on not using Olive in the name though and we really want something more creative than just "Martini Bar" or something like that. This is why I wanted to play off the exit number as a lot of people in the area refer to the exit # when referring to where something is.



Top names so far after input (in no order):
Norm28
Lot 28 (kinda has a downscale feel though?)
Fusion @ 28
EightyThree01 (just a lot of letters)
The Estate @ 28
The Twenty8
Shake 28

PLEASE keep the names coming everyone!!! Also feel free to offer your input on any of the ideas above.



Thanks sooo much for all your help so far

[intensity]

I don't have any name ideas, however imho, Lot 28 sounds like the place you park your trailer.

[intensity]

How about North 28 (or south 28, depending on your position)

[Joe]

How about:

28 skidoo

[Jallen0]

OK let me try to come up with a few names. I do sincerely think however you should move away from both martini and the exit number names. Using the name martini creates an automatic image (good or bad) vs a "generic" name like Jubilation's or something like that.

And everytime I think of a name using 28 in it visions of Baskin's Robbins pops into my head :p

But, here's a try or 2 for you:

28 Martini's
Shakers and Stirrers

[nightlife1]

Intensity:
I agree with you on Lot 28 and it is going outside the top running. As for North or South 28, it's an idea, but depends on the direction a patron would be coming from, and there are two major areas to the north and south of us, so that really doesn't catch me. Thank you for your opinions though, none are going overlooked I promise.

Admin:
To me 28 skidoo doesn't feel like it would catch the eyes of our projected 25 and up market.

Jallen0:
I agree with you on the martini statement and have tried to definitely gear my thoughts away from those names. As for the 28, I do see the Baskin's Robbins thing after you said that but just still like it. The locals refer to the exit numbers in the area as much or more than street names and other landmarks, and I just really think the marketing aspect works. I think 28 Martinis may be a good way to list our martini menu each month or something though, I do like that.


PLEASE keep them coming everyone and feel free to rate the ones we are looking at so far.

Top on the list as of now: (feel free to rate these or give input even if a new name doesn't hit you)
The Estate @ 28
Escape @ 28
Twenty8 (or The Twenty8)
Fusion(or Fuse) at 28
Norm28
Point 28
28 Bistro

[Michael Black]

Lot 28 (kinda has a downscale feel though?)

That just shows how people have different perceptions. I saw it as so simple and raw that it comes off as hip and trendy, but the Place would ultimately determine that. There is a Lot 332 in Toronto, Lot 61 in NYC, and Lot 55 in London, so a 'Lot" name can't be seen as that bad by at least cutting edge younger customers. But, for an older and wealthier crowd or a mainstream crowd, it probably will not work. I don't know- how about Hell? They can go to Hell or take the highway to Hell:) Still thinking about it.

[Jallen0]

Duh...Lake Norman is also home to several NASCAR teams, so now we can start adding racing names to the pot.

[king]

Ok, its late and im exhausted so i can't really think straight.

Out of this list, i like

Shake 28 and Twenty8 by a landslide.

If you go to kitchy with the name(28 olives, etc.) it will come off like a chain concept or cheesey and not convey the upscale brand of lounge i think you are going for.

You mentioned something about a great view? How about View 28 or Vue? Again, not my best work but its late.

[BARTENDER 54]

Oh, it's the... nightlife..1,

Ok, JallenO, I've seen your pic...the Baskin-Robbins thing...yea OK. (just kidding)

On the K.I.S.S. side of things

How about... 28 Reasons

And I kinda like the "top 28" selling Martinis on a menu.(which can vary month to month or season to season) And since it's NASCAR country...What ever the #28 car color is, that's the color of your "#28 Martini" or name it "The Johnson" or "Smedly" or WHOEVER drives the damn thing ( sorry I'm not all that big of a fan of "hey it's a left turn..oooh look another left turn...oh boy another left turn)

And definitly the "Lot 28" sound like something you would buy at an auction.


Oh well, Gotta go to work, have a GREAT week,
Rick

[David]

WOW, this is a tough one isn't it!

I would stay away from any type of name that can't be easily remembered.

IF I have to, I'll suggest the following.

Deuce 8
or the Deuce. But someone could start calling it the Douche.

The "M" Bar

Tini's

Marty's Tini Bar

2eight

Qtini Bar

28Degrees

BarTini