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Less than a year after setting up shop at the OTB Racing Forum in Hauppauge, the Village Idiot Pub parent company has reimagined its approach to the unique space.
The team has decided to lean into the whole gambling thing.
The new Play Social, a concept for gaming and nightlife, will open this spring.
“By no means, nobody has a gambling facility inside of their bar, or a bar inside a gambling facility,” said Joe Gannone, a partner on the project, which is still being managed and overseen by Silver Lining Restaurant Group, which runs four Village Idiot locations in Patchogue, Oakdale, Lake Grove and Riverhead, along with Castaway’s, Drift 82 and Chops.
Currently, the space is being opened up and refinished, a process that started in January. Village Idiot Pub has remained open throughout the transition.
But Gannone, who co-runs the event promotions company Social Pressure, said to soon expect an elevated sports bar and lounge to enter the scene in Hauppauge.
He’s especially looking forward to a full lineup of DJs and fun, special events. The banquettes are being built and the Play Social team expects to offer VIP service as well.
“When you look through that glass [into the gambling area], and you see all the lights, TVs and projectors …
“It’s just going to be a really cool spot,” he said. “It’s happening soon.”
Silver Lining Restaurant Group founder John Sarno emphasized that after the transformation is complete, the space will be known only as Play Social.
The menu is currently being updated, but will include some trademark Village Idiot items.
The space will also be displaying art from seven NYC artists, with some big racing event parties already planned.
“We’ll have some amazing events coming up, as well as the beginning of the race season with the Kentucky Derby,” Sarno promised. “There will be indoor and outdoor entertainment, hat contest and all the famous cocktails affiliated with the Derby, with Preakness and Belmont Stakes [events] to follow”
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Top: The OTB Racing Forum, also the future home of Play Social, is located at 690 Motor Parkway in Hauppauge. (courtesy)
