FARGO — District 64 Bar & Nightlife is ready to get the party started.
The two-level bar at 64 Broadway officially opens Thursday, May 26.
“We go live at 2 p.m.,” Rachel Ilogu, owner-operator and manager said Wednesday, May 25.
“It’s been a long time coming. It’s been blood, sweat and tears. A lot of ups, a lot of downs, and we finally” are completed, she said.
The two-level nightspot has bars upstairs and downstairs, with the second floor dedicated to meeting and chatting, and the first floor geared to dancing and mingling. To start, just the second-floor bar will be open, just to be sure everything is running smoothly, Ilogu said.
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The first-floor bar will feature DJs playing “lots of really current, urban music, very cool, sound and lights,” she said, giving it a club “vibe.”
“I think that the younger group of people, especially the college age, will really appreciate the kind of music that we’ll be playing,” Ilogu said. “It’s going to be great. I mean, downstairs is going to be what they call a vibe.”
The second floor bar, with its tri-fold windows drawn up, provides an open-air experience that should be “very desirable in the summer. And the natural light - it feels like you’re outside and you don’t actually have to be outside," she said.
Upstairs, the bright white bar, black industrial look ceiling and walls, creates a clean, modern, minimalist look.
“It’s very eye-catching, but nothing over the top and super busy,” Ilogu said. And “the natural light during the day is great. Even in the winter, hopefully, you can have some good natural sun.”
The second floor will be a place you can converse and relax, she said.
“It’s going to be your spot after living downtown, working downtown,” Ilogu said.
The second floor also houses the kitchen, which will provide a bar tapas menu once it’s completed and open.
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Hours are 2 p.m. to 2 a.m. Monday through Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
District 64 had been in the planning stages for a long time, but once the decision was made to go ahead, construction was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Ilogu said. Demolition and remodeling on the building began about a year ago, she said.
The 64 Broadway building was purchased June 11, 2020, by ReeBoc, a North Dakota-registered limited liability company run by brothers Chukwuemeka “Chuck” Ilogu and rap artist Chinedu “Big Reeno” Ilogu, according to Cass County records. Rachel Ilogu said that while they are owners, they prefer to remain in the background.
The building is also home to a Juice It Smothie & Juice Bar. Chuck Ilogu is listed as the registered agent for that business with the North Dakota Secretary of State’s office.
The building was attractive for its location, Ilogu said.
“The new scene coming into downtown, we’re really excited to be part of it,” she said. “Downtown is booming; it’s popping.”
The first floor bar has two VIP sections, with bottle service available. They can be reserved for parties and other occasions.
There are electronic pull-tab machines upstairs, and 17 wide-screen televisions distributed between the first and second floors.
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Ilogu said her favorite spot in District 64 is at one of the second-floor tables looking out on the downtown Fargo streetscape.
“Honestly, right here. I love being outside, and I love patios and I love summer, which is short-lived around here. Being up here, especially at night when it gets dark and the bar lights are on and the windows are open" makes her feel good, she said.
At the end of a recent long day of preparing for opening, the combination was magical.
“I got goosebumps. Because it was like, this is it. This felt exactly like what we were going for,” Ilogu said. “Blood sweat and tears coming to life.. … We’re excited.”
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