DISCOVER DOWNTOWN like never before: Déjà vu Martini Lounge
Get a behind-the-scenes look at some of the GREAT businesses located here in downtown. Get to know the owners and their products from checking out their answers to a series of fun questions!
What is the name of your business and who is the owner(s)?
Déjà vu Martini Lounge and The Monkey Bar (second floor), owned by Kelly and Jennifer Koroll
What service(s) and/or product(s) do you offer?
A downtown premier live music, full-service bar specializing in martinis, and house-made pizzas featuring traditional and unique recipes.
What inspired you to start your business?
Kelly has been in the service industry for 26 years in various markets. DVML was up for sale in 2007. Newly married, the Koroll couple took the plunge and purchased the business two months after getting married. If there was a book on 15 things to never do after getting married, buying your own business as a honeymoon would probably be chapter two. However, both the couple and business are still standing strong.
What are 3 words that describe your business?
Sophistication without intimidation.
If your business had a theme song, what would it be?
As lovers of music, so it would be impossible to pick one:
Don’t Stop Me Now – Queen
My Way – Frank Sinatra
Feel That Way – J-Council
Sweet Home Chicago – The Blues Brothers
What's the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Don’t try to please everyone… you’ll only fail yourself.
What's something about your business nobody knows?
We make and infuse our own Bacon Vodka, spicy five pepper Hellfire Vodka (both amazing in a Bloody Mary) as well as our own Tangerine Rum (for many of the Monkey Bar’s specialty tropical drinks).
What do you love most about being in Downtown Appleton?
The thought of Downtown Appleton, once again, becoming a statewide entertainment hub. However, this time around with diverse food and culture, all types of music (live or otherwise), great shopping from small and large retailers alike, and a continuation of the unique nightlife that several of the bars and nightclubs have worked our tails off to provide to this scene for years.
If you were a super-hero, what powers would you have?
Batman was rich and fearless. I’m down with that.
What 3 items would you take with you on a deserted island?
A boat, water, and food.
If you had to describe your business as an animal, which one would it be and why?
A bear. Don’t poke the bear.
If you could bring back any fashion trend, what would it be?
Shaving.
Something fun and unique about your business you want to share?
Multiple winners of The Post Crescent People’s Choice for best martini (since 2012) and nominated multiple times for Live Music Venue. Winner of the 2018 People’s Choice WAMI (Wisconsin Area Music Industry) Award for Northeast, WI for Best Live Music Venue and National Elite Lifetime Member, 2018 Best Bars in America, winner.
Learn more about Déjà vu Martini Lounge and to plan your visit check them out on Facebook! Click here.