New Old Town club is two businesses in one

Ali Kibar has spent the last half year or so not only preparing to go into the bar business but also, somewhat accidentally, learning a lot about construction, too.

He’d hoped to open his new Enigma Club & Lounge in September. Instead, the Old Town business finally will open “much later than planned” on Dec. 27. It’s at 351 N. Mosley just south of Slickwraps.

Kibar envisions Enigma as almost two separate businesses.

One is a quieter business in what he describes as a sophisticated space where professionals can talk and actually hear each other through the evening.

“It’s very loungey.”

The other side is a much louder club with electric dance music.

Kibar says he expects the two sides of Enigma to attract different crowds.

Enigma will be open from 3 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

Matt Hiatt of InSite Real Estate Group handled the deal for the 3,700-square-foot former warehouse space, which Kibar says needed all new electrical and plumbing.

Previously, Kibar worked for Matteo Taha as general manager at Bella Luna Cafe to gain experience before starting his own place.

He says being in charge of people and liquor sales were good for helping his management style.

This week, Kibar created Enigma’s Facebook page and started sharing photos of the club.

“I am getting a lot of positive feedback from people,” he says.

“I am super excited.”

This story was originally published December 12, 2019 at 4:23 PM.