From there, he followed then-Khyber owners Dave Simons and Jo Nguyen to the Troc, eventually winding up its manager when Pang and booking agent Jon Hampton took over. The first-floor pub has been part of this corner bar since Prohibition. The mahogany bar, wooden ceiling fans and tin roof remain, only painted pale orange. Ornate church banisters open up a view of the stage. In the stage area, booths have been removed and the bar relocated to the North Star's bright back atrium space, widening the dance floor considerably.
Beams are newly revealed, original heating ducts shine.
Behind the atrium, the infamous neon Howard Johnson's sign is being removed and returned to Lenny Davidson's traveling neon museum. The neon Levi's hot dog will remain atop the building as a Bat symbol of sorts, signaling when the space is open. I think people'd like to get away from the hustle of Center City, raw attitudes and loud music. All of which is as much a part of Pang and Sloane's personal vibe as it is the North Star's. All rights reserved.