But he’s traded a venue that holds up to 1,000 people a night for one that tops out at 150, max. The out 34-year-old now is a manager and part owner of Bazzaar, a small restaurant and lounge next door to The Fox Theatre.

Bazzaar’s original owners — Castanzo Astarita and Mario Maccarrone — have tried several concepts in the location, including a Tuscan restaurant and a tapas bar called Bazzaar. With some coming additions, Kaelin hopes to take Bazzaar in a whole new direction.

David sat down with Kaelin at his new digs to find out what’s up.

David: What’s going on here?

Bill Kaelin: The idea at Bazzaar is to find that perfect place between a restaurant and a bar, a place that serves food until 1 in the morning. And we have DJs, but your music is not going to be your regular club music. Pretty much, this is like my own living room, except it holds a hell of a lot more people.

What’s this we’re listening to?

BK: It’s our early-evening crowd, so this is down-tempo house music. Basically, we’re going to be playing down-tempo beats until about midnight every night, and then we bring it back up. It’s kind of like the “Buddha Bar” CD concept.

We’re not going to have resident DJs, but you’re going to get a chance to hear all the talent that we have in this city. If anything,what you’re going to get here is eclectica - music that’s across the board, but still conducive to shaking your ass, sitting on the couch, or making out with your boyfriend in the corner.

What is it that attracted you to a career as a promoter?

BK: What I love the most is that it’s my art form. I don’t paint, I don’t dance, I don’t sing. But I can create one hell of an atmosphere for serving food, showcasing DJs and filling a room full of energy.

You had that at eleven50, though. Why leave?

BK: When I walked in here and they had almost no business, it was like a blank canvass for me. The ideas just started flowing. At eleven50, I peaked out. I just couldn't get excited about it anymore. I wasn't able to keep that much energy going week in and week out. So, I knew I needed something different.

Tell me about the new challenge.

BK: In some ways, it’s the same challenge. People who run clubs have a responsibility to provide something that is really good to their customers. In the case of a place that serves food, well, most Americans will eat whatever you put in front of them. But if you show them a new way to eat their food, or drink their wine, or listen to their music, you give them another option that is so desperately needed in this city.

What do you like about this new space?

BK:It brings a European influence. The owners here, they’re so much more mellow and open-minded. Without a doubt, they impress me, over and over. I did an internship back in the day at Walt Disney World, and I was living with guys who were French and Italian. They were so different. I mean, Mario and Castanzo inspire me on a daily basis. Their way of life is so laid back. Americans are so go, go, go! They take things so much slower, and I think they enjoy life more because of that.

Wait, wait, wait … you worked at Disney World?

BK :Yeah, I was a lifeguard at the Yacht & Beach Club. It was wild. You’d work for them, and then you’d take classes on marketing. Working at Disney was like working for a cult. You’d go to their apartments after work and they’d be playing ‘The Little Mermaid Soundtrack’ for a cocktail party. It was insane.

Ha! Back to the present: So, the party boy slows down, huh?

BK: Yeah, I have to. I can’t keep doing the same thing over and over again. You know, at the\ end of Madonna’s new show, it ends with two signs that come together that say, ‘Re-invent Yourself.’ In the end, ism’t that what it all means? This is a whole, brand new thing for me, and I love it.

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