Honey Celebrates Grand Opening in Delray Beach Tonight

The newest Sub-Culture Restaurant Group concept from the creators of Dada and Tryst, to Camelot to Kill Your Idol, is here. Welcome Honey, the newcomer to the downtown Delray Beach scene, which celebrates its grand opening Thursday, October 30.

Partners Scott Frielich and Rodney Mayo launched the nightlife-inspired concept during a soft opening last night offering friends and family a sneak peek at the interior decor, small plates menu, and craft cocktail lineup.

According to Honey partner Frielich, the new spot will add just a little more "hip" to the downtown Delray Beach scene. He describes it as a "sophisticated lounge meets nightclub," something he and Mayo hope will change the nightlife landscape of the city's downtown area.

See also: Honey's Grand Opening in Delray Beach (Photos)

"Honey is more than a great nightclub; it's an experience for a broader range of clientele," says Frielich, part of the Sub-Culture family. "We are the perfect trifecta: a sexy lounge space, impressive dining and cocktails, and a refreshing and modern approach to music."

Honey won't be another late-night crowd pleaser. Doors open at 5 p.m. to attract the happy hour set, making it a place for patrons to enjoy the farm-to-table small plates bar menu developed by James Beard award-winning chef Nick Morfogen, and craft cocktails by Angela Dugan (named New Times' 2014 Best Bartender).

The menu, executed by neighboring restaurant 32 East, will include small plates that feature specialty seafood, wood-fired pizzas, and a number of imported and artisanal ingredients. Dishes include Togarashi seared yellowfin tuna with a mango ponzu; pan seared scallops in a hot mustard glaze with butternut squash creamed corn and toasted pumpkin seeds; oak-fired prosciutto-wrapped pear with cambozola cheese and fig mustard; and rigatoncini pasta in an alba truffle and duck egg carbonara with pancetta, lobster mushrooms, and black truffles.

The cocktail menu is equally indulgent, and served from two bars -- a large rectangular one at front, and a smaller bar at the exposed outdoor patio and bar area out back. Things like house cucumber infused-gin, homemade tonics and bitters, fresh local honey, and marigold garnishes set this menu apart from others. The Fireflower is smoky and spicy, with mescal, habanero infused St. Elder, Cinzano sweet vermouth, and tongue-tingling acid phosphate.

Not many people know: most Sub-Culture concepts are designed bottom to top by Mayo and Frielich. For Honey, however, they decided to hand the reigns over to Miami's Saladino Design Studio. The idea behind the decor is Manhattan-style speakeasy meets upstate New York manor, exhibited by the intricate wood carved panels and old world paintings littering the walls. Be sure to take a closer look; you'll see each masterpiece has been "tagged" by a rogue artist.

"This is the party house. The parents went away and the kids went on a bender," said Mayo.

All of it is fused with a high-quality sound system. Don't expect to hear hip-hop, Top 40 hits, or dub step here, said resident DJ Misha Samson. Instead, he describes Honey's playlist as more refined than what you'll find in other late-night venues -- with a supper-club, VIP feel.

"There will be a lot of alt and indie dance music, contemporary dance, deep house, and retro-type stuff," Samson, founder of Nu Sound Entertainment based in Fort Lauderdale, explains. "The demographics are the 30s set, so think some '80s and '90s hits. When we're talking about DJ'ing, music is coming full circle again. We're getting back to music produced with live instruments and away from electronic synthesizers."

Honey is hosting its grand opening celebration at 7 p.m. on Thursday, October 30, at 16 E. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach. Hours of operation are Wednesday through Saturday, 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. Sunday, coming soon. Visit honeydelray.com, or call 561-270-7187.

Nicole Danna is a food blogger covering Broward and Palm Beach counties. To get the latest in food and drink news in South Florida, follow her @SoFloNicole or find her latest food pics on Clean Plate's Instagram.