More coming to Downers Grove Karma Club with March restaurant opening

[ DOWNERS GROVE ]

Since it opened on New Year’s Eve, Karma Club in Downers Grove mainly has been a late-night destination for drinks and dancing.

However, the club will expand its hours of service and entertainment offerings with the March 18 opening of a conjoining restaurant called Brando’s in the Grove.

Owner Dino Vulpitta said Karma Club is meant to bring the experience of a Chicago night club to the suburbs.

“We’re an entertainment venue that caters to people that want to go out, like they’re in the city, without the hassle of going downtown,” he said.

Karma Club is located at 1211 Butterfield Road in the space that was formerly home to Rita’s American Roadhouse, another nightlife venue.

Although Rita’s went out of business, Vulpitta said there still is a demand for a nightclub in the area if it’s well executed.

“[Downers Grove is] not like the typical suburban area,” he said. “People here want to go out. They want to have that experience.”

He said the restaurant, led by celebrity chef Rich Mancini, is one of the ways the club will stand out.

Mancini has cooked for bands such as the Rolling Stones and U2 while on tour. He’s also appeared on several television cooking competitions and won “Cutthroat Kitchen” in December.

Brando’s menu will be eclectic, small plate dishes meant to be tasted and shared.

Mancini said he likes the flexibility of a smaller tasting menu because it’s compatible with his busy schedule as a private chef.

“I’m not looking to be tied down seven days a week to an actual restaurant for 15 to 18 hours a day,” he said. “I’m looking to be able to do good food, different types of food, constantly changing, locally sourced type products.”

Karma Club already has been serving some of the food but has only been open Fridays and Saturdays.

With the opening of the restaurant, which will have a separate entrance, the venue will be open from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Wednesdays to Sundays.

Karma Club manager Michael Oliva said they also have put a lot of work into improving the club portion of the venue, such as a new light and sound system.

The club has three bars, a private party area, bottle service and well-known DJs playing top 100 music, he said.

However, Vulpitta said Karma Club caters to more than young adults.

With the opening of the restaurant, he said he would like to host themed nights that attract older adults, such as having a piano bar or zumba class.

“Brando’s is going to cater to all walks of life,” he said.

Oliva added he sees the club as an entertainment venue for all ages, with an older crowd earlier in the evening and a younger crowd late in the evening.

“Eventually this is going to grow into something that the neighborhood always wanted but never had,” he said.