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Chris Viola, founder/CDO at Cul+ure Collective, announced Monday that a new cocktail lounge – Laylow will open Thursday at 603 Mattison Avenue. The collective also owns and operates REYLA and Barrio Costero.

Characterized as a social cocktail lounge that ‘promotes community through creativity, culture, quality cocktails, and hugs, lots of free hugs,’ the new offering is located in the basement below REYLA.

“We believe that creativity combined with hospitality enhances the experience for our guests,” Viola said in a written statement.  “Our team loves engaging and explaining why they’ve crafted their signature drinks. The ‘why’ is what we love sharing.”

Creative Partner/Bar Manager Pasquale Pipi said he wanted two aspects of the lounge to be very apparent – its sociability and comfort.

“Our goal for this space and these cocktails is to get people together, relax, high five, and start conversations,” Pipi said. “We’re leaning into creativity, including low-alcohol and non-alcoholic beverages to get everyone involved while they enjoy the atmosphere. It’s a growing trend and we really want to be inclusive to all guests.”

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The art and music-inspired venue will feature inventive craft cocktails by Beverage Partner Jamie Dodge. On the menu are ‘off-the-wall’ alcoholic and nonalcoholic inventions that range from the Lunchbox Old Fashioned – a peanut butter and jelly old fashioned to the Herbal Vibrations.

And while Laylow’s signature will be its cocktails, the lounge will offer simple and unique fare by Culinary Partner Chef Antony Bustamante. The menu includes everything from simple go-to’s, like Bustamante’s personal spin on deviled eggs, to a decadent chicken liver mousse cannolis. 

Designer/Storyteller Janna Burrows said her ‘bohemian-rock warehouse’ concept [being unveiled Thursday] was inspired by the rough industrial character of the historic Asbury Park Press basement.

 “The space told me what it wanted to be,” Burrows said. “It fits the grunge vibe of Asbury.  We’re a creative community, that reflects the creative process – nothing here is too pristine, nothing is too perfect.  I wanted to embrace the character of the building and respect its story.”  

Cul+ure Collective also owns and operates Barrio Costero, located 610 Bangs Ave.

“Cul+ure Collective was founded with a shared mission to lead with genuine hospitality, create remarkable experiences, and impact our communities,” Viola said. “For us, it’s what we strive to do on a daily basis.” 

Laylow’s hours of operation are 5 to 2 am Thursday through Saturday. For more information, visit laylowap.com or via @laylowap on Instagram.

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