Marcus Pinkney, former owner of The Factory and a pharmaceutical rep by day, is returning to familiar real estate. In July, he and a silent partner plan to open Sway, an “upscale” dance club at 412 Louisiana, the former home of The Factory and, most recently, SpeakEasy.
For six years, Pinkney was part of the ownership of The Factory, first as a partner and latter as the sole owner. He said he tired of the grind, but after a break, is ready to return to the club scene. He explained his reemergence in his old space as part of the “cyclical nature” of the downtown bar scene. Unlike The Factory, which billed itself as “the alternative lifestyles club,” Pinkney said Sway is aiming for “any and everybody.”
Elements of Design and Lighting Innovations have been contracted to help transform the 3,500 square-foot space into what Pinkney said is the sort of dance club you’d see in a larger city. The floor plan sounds promising: A dance floor in the middle of the room, framed by seating raised four to six feet and looking down onto the floor. The rear of the building will offer a 600 square-foot patio — the only place where smoking will be allowed.
Initially, Sway will be open Thursday through Saturday, though Pinkey says he’s already talking with a promoter about doing live music for Wednesday happy hour. Thursday tentatively is 80s and 90s night. Otherwise, the soundtrack will largely tilt towards house music.
It’ll be open 2 a.m. except on Friday Saturday, when it’ll close at 1 a.m. And: 21 and up.