The Playground Lounge staged its grand opening weekend March 23-24 at 1008 26th St. in the East Perry Plaza, with torch singer Jamie Renee Fox performing two shows Friday night and two more Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
The opening night audiences were small but appreciative, according to Fox’s business partner Albert Dinwiddie.
A favorite at venues in Las Vegas and Des Moines, Fox specializes in show tunes and torch songs from the 1940s through the 1970s and beyond. Her Saturday evening rendition of “Summertime,” the George Gershwin classic from the 1935 opera, “Porgy and Bess,” was well received by the dozen patrons.
Less tavern than nightclub, the Playground offers dinner, drinks and a show. Finger foods are also available for those seeking lighter fare, such as pizza or onion rings. Beer, wine and a variety of soft drinks are also served.
Between shows, customers can recreate with billiards or darts. Table seating is available for the floor shows, and VIP booths are offered for $20.
The Playground Lounge currently accepts cash only.
The lounge’s hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 1:45 a.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Fridays and from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Saturdays.
