Fewer people are fine by Bill, as he hopes to tailor Bazzaar to the needs of an increasingly smaller audience who is interested in quality music and culture. "I'm not going to have a resident DJ because there is so much local talent that does not get utilized."

Cocktails and conversation is another key idea to Bazzaar's update from Mediterranean restaurant to a lounge serving small plates. "These huge clubs don't have any place where you can hear another person speak. Here, I want people to be able to lay on one of the couches with their feet up, just chilling and actually having an intelligent conversation."

Bill is not too keen on pop culture. "Americans have all been 'American Idol'-ized. They've all been suckered into accepting mediocre talent, mediocre service, mediocre everything. We have a sterile culture in which everything is the same."

For the original group that started eleven50, the goal was to open a large space that allowed many people to hear new music and see new things. The club's new ownership, however, did not hold on to that ideal.

"The McDonald's-land of club people bought the place out and now it's just about making the most money for the least expenditure."

A believer that life imitates art, Bill sees that mass media and club owners influence the public and therefore have a responsibility to it.

"There are so many people that will just eat anything you serve them. So if that's the case, why not serve them something @#%$ing good?"

Although big things are in the works for Bazzaar, it's a bit too early for Bill to comment on exactly what will happen. In the meantime, he recommends that people pop in Thursday through Saturday to get an idea of what it is becoming.

"I'm not a traditional artist -- I don't paint, I'm not a musician. To me, my art is creating an atmosphere and I'm re-inspired to do that again."

-- Layla Bellows

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