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February 20-26, 2003 naked city firstlook
When the Brothers Weiss turned a cab stand from the '40s into a warehouse-y dance-lounge (Gasoline and 8th Street Lounge), all I could say was "bravo." I love large, cold industrial spaces with warm touches. Now, a little more than two years after their purchase, the Brothers Bynum -- of Zanzibar Blue, Brave New World and Warmdaddy's fame -- along with their operations general manager, Harry Hayman, have taken the space Beyond. What was once two spartan spaces demarcated by theatrical white curtains and high-backed wooden pews has been stretched to include two VIP balconies, two stages and more velvet than David Lynch could cram down anyone's throat. Beyond's front is stark and red, with only one sign. Speakeasy-like. This near-secrecy makes the entryway all the more intriguing, as you walk through a dark, oaken foyer touched with garish floral arrangements, cut glass candles and reed-thin blue neon and opaque glass through which you can barely make out the backlit goings-on beyond the entrance. Beyond's main room is spartan, with floor-to-ceiling metallic curtains picking up the shimmer of amber, orange and red lights. A leather sofa wraps around the room except for two tiny spaces, each its own private booth tipped with red velvet seating and with easy access to the bar (crowned by a shimmering emerald fish tank). When it's time to strut, head to the newly renovated dancefloor and stage, circled below by purple velvet couches and cobalt-hued bars. But it's the VIP area upstairs that'll get the most attention. Metallic catwalks surrounding the stage -- carpeted in Atlantic City casino shag -- offer privacy, and a violet-colored leather-y den, accented by blue neon, has a curtain drawn around it. While dancefloor evenings offer everything from "Chocolate Soul Lounge" to "Erotic City" (upscale strippers of both sexes), it is room three that will delight music aficionados. Like Bynum and Hayman did with Brave New World, the space -- an in-the-round stage area -- will be utilized for "Incubation," a place where musicians like Musiq (Soulchild) and Bilal (who used to practice here for national tours) offer an open-house peek into rehearsals. Like Brave New World and Zanzibar Blue, Beyond is clearly seeking to offer music to its public in different and defining ways. Beyond, Eighth and Callowhill sts., 215-925-1900. 
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