The Vagabond: A Wanderer's Hideout

March 7, 2008 6:38 PM
by Marcos Colón [email]

Nightclubs have come and gone in the Magic City. If the right amount of money is on the table it may be easy to open up shop, but it’s another story to keep it going. Great spaces and concepts have been built, but the lifespan is at times too short to remember. There’s not really a formula to having a successful nightclub. Some have had great runs, while others are…well less memorable really. The buzz created around new establishments is always consistent. After all, who doesn’t get excited about a new place to kick back, drink, and leave all the worries at the door? Just as you’ve expected, another venue is just about to open its doors. Not entirely new, but not entirely old, this venue will bring back some memories and definitely create some new ones.

This month Carmel Ophir, the man who brought you Back Door Bamby, Rodney Mayo, a veteran of the club/restaurant business, and John Digweed, no introduction needed, are setting themselves up for the opening of The Vagabond, a venue that was once I/O Lounge will now take on a different identity. The Junkies recently caught a sneak peek of the place that’s been creating quite the hype.

“The seed for The Vagabond was planted because of my partner and I,” says Ophir. “In essence it is a personal thing. It’s not like a company or a big group that’s opening up some kind of venture. This is essentially a return to basics, and stems from the lack of relatedness and disenchantment with what I was experiencing for the last two years.”

After being in the thick of Miami entertainment, hospitality and club culture for nearly 20 years, Ophir began to notice economic changes in the city that were caused by a spread of corporate mentality that then leaked into nightlife business.

“Things started to shift from creative escapism, leave your problems at the door and just have fun and party, to pack them in and squeeze out as much money as possible,” he says.

With the opening of The Vagabond, Ophir and Mayo hope to take the concepts of the party back to the basics, meaning the importance of the hospitality, music and truly setting the stage for the guests. A feeling of ‘home’.

“Long story short we signed the lease at the end of August,” says Ophir. “Since then we’ve been breathing a lot of saw dust and repairing and putting the place up for what will be The Vagabond. It was by no means trying to make I/O part two.”

Architecturally the space has not changed, but there is a definite change in aesthetics which is sure to impress those who are into a solid party atmosphere that doesn’t focus on glitz and glam, rather comfort and leisure. Not to give too much away, but if you do end up at The Vagabond, pay close attention to the light bulbs above the bar and the bathroom faucets. Sometimes subtle changes go a long way.

Although there is a Vagabond Motel on Biscayne Blvd., that’s not where the name originated. It’s somewhat inspired from the film I’m Not There, a take on the many characters that is Bob Dylan, a man who was said to be no one, but at the same time everyone.

“It’s basically premised as a tribute to that type of person,” Ophir said. “A vagabond is a person that is constantly in search of, and usually never find what they’re in search of. Here you are nobodies, BUT you are everybody, and that’s what makes you special. That’s how it all came to be.”

The Vagabond already has its line-up set for WMC, with sets featuring John Digweed, Tommie Sunshine, LA Riots, “Little Louie” Vega, Josh Wink, Steve Bug, Groove Armada, Crystal Method, and much more.

As far as their weekly parties go one thing’s for sure, Thursdays welcome back the Money Shot gang, Friday nights The Vagabond will be in collusion with Sweat Records to kick off an indie dance party. Saturdays are geared in a different direction, as things will be more skewed on a Housier level, with “a little surprise here and there,” as Ophir likes to say.

Mayo and Ophir will try and bring back the traditional concepts and aesthetics of feel good party atmospheres, but at the same time aren’t wanting the contemporary cliché compliments that are given now a days, like “Man that place is sexy,” or “Man that place is hot!” “The greatest thing you could ever tell me is ‘Man, that place is so cool,’” says Ophir. “The element of cool. That word, that’s it. Nothing more, nothing less than that.”