Business Q&A: The Vamp's Club

Have you ever found yourself driving through Bellmore, only to notice the sign of the establishment at 1500 Newbridge Road denoting it as being something mysteriously called “The Vamp’s Club?”

There’s no need for confusion. The Vamp’s Club, housed in a building connected to the North Bellmore Fire Department’s Smithville South Hook, Ladder and Engine Company 1 is a great hall to hold that big wedding reception, Bar Mitzvah, or birthday party you’ve been planning, at a price that should fit right within your budget.

Chris Fico, the assistant manager of The Vamp’s Club, spoke to Patch about running the only game in town when it comes to servicing your event hall needs.

Tell us about what The Vamp’s Club is all about.

We’re a rental hall, or a party room if you prefer. We were originally set up for a place for members of the Fire Department to go to let off some steam, hang out, or have their own parties, and eventually it became a rental hall as well.  Smithville South Hook, Ladder and Engine Company 1 owns the building, the property, and they technically own The Vamp’s Club.

Basically, The Vamp’s Club is a multi-purpose room, and we rent it out to the public their parties; communions, christenings, engagement parties, bridal showers, memorial services, you name it. We’ve also donated the room for certain events.

Does the money generated by The Vamp’s Club go to the North Bellmore Fire Department’s budget?

Yes. We’re technically not-for-profit. So, the majority of the money that is brought in by the club, minus expenses, goes directly to the Smithville South Hook, Ladder and Engine Company 1, since they own us. And that money is mostly put into the maintenance of the building. It’s a 100-year-old building- the department was founded in 1908, so you can imagine what kind of upkeep there is.

What kind of amenities are available to the people who rent your hall?

The room will comfortably hold up to 150-175 people, and that would give you room for a dance floor, tables, chairs, the whole nine yards. We also have a full-service bar, and men’s and ladies’ rooms that will be fully re-done this summer. We don’t provide food, but guests can use our kitchen facilities to re-warm any food they bring in, or they can use any outside caterer they like.

There aren’t many places in Bellmore outside of restaurants with dedicated rooms where people can go and host an event or have a party, and based on our pricing, we’re one of the more competitive ones around, especially considering what people are getting and the size of the room.

What do you like about operating a business in the Bellmore community?

It’s great...it’s a bit of a tight-knit community, and people do talk. For our business, the majority of the people we get have either been to parties at our room, or know people who have, and there’s a great sense of community- people talk about it. And it’s nice when you get a call or see someone on the street, and the say that they were at a great party at The Vamp’s Club. It kind of puts a smile on your face to hear that.