NYC’s Bowery Ballroom Team Takes Over a Familiar Space in the Arts District

Things are heating up at a familiar space in the Arts District, as the former Osso (and before that One Eyed Gypsy) location is now headed for an unknown future with some big-named New Yorkers. According to city paperwork, it seems the place could be headed for a revamp as a possible food, music, and booze venue.

High Test is the LLC company name given (there is no DBA) to the ABC license now attached to the property, but that doesn’t say much. Instead, you’ll want to look at the pertinent names and the endpoint address for that LLC, which is New York. The primary people involved are Michael and Brian Swier, who come from the East Coast having been the primary force of such iconic spaces at Bowery Ballroom and Mercury Lounge. Locally, they’re the ones who run Teragram Ballroom on 7th Street as well.

The other name involved is Joe Baxley, a local who has previously worked with spots like Broadway Bar, and is also involved with Teragram Ballroom. The LLC paperwork from those three does indeed point to a possible “entertainment venue” though there is no guarantee that the unnamed former Osso spot will in effect become a nightclub or place to catch shows. Live music was certainly a staple during the One Eyed Gypsy days though, so it’s entirely possible the building gets some new and noisy life soon. Eater reached out to Swier and the team via the Teragram Ballroom, but so far hasn’t heard back.

Of course, the Swiers are far from the first New Yorkers to try to make it in the Arts District. Mast Brothers Chocolate recently lifted up and left their space not far away, and in fact it was two prior East Coasters who tried unsuccessfully to make a run in the same space with Osso. More news on this when it comes.

• LA Weekly Calls Osso The Best Restaurant You Aren't Eating At [ELA]