Jessie's Roadhouse: Back to the Basics

It's the music.

Songs made famous by, well, no one you've probably heard of in all honesty.  And that's the point.

At Jessie's Roadhouse in Merrick, everything you would expect to find in a Long Island bar is there; there's just less of it.

Everything here is stripped down, and according to ownership, that begins first and foremost with the music.  Looking for wall to wall amps, a floor-vibrating bass line, and a band doing the best of Billy Joel?  Not now, not here.

"There's fewer and fewer venues around doing what I call real music," says owner Joe Vicino.  "Most places today are [featuring] a lot of cover or tribute bands,  which is one thing I'm dead against."

Or, he puts bluntly, "Why do I have to see somebody doing something I saw in concert in the seventies?"

Vicino re-launched Jessie's in July.  It's his first time owning a bar, but he spent five years here as bar manager under a previous owner.  Vicino is also a musician, and he drew on his tastes to shape the 'roadhouse' theme.

On the walls one can find a collection of guitars, and classic albums.  Yes, albums.  Not CDs or a picture of an iPod.  Head toward the back and you'll find the stage.  More like a platform, really, but that's all that's needed here.

Tuesday is Acoustic Open Mic night, hosted by the house band, Treutlein-Novak.  After their set, they turn things over to anyone wishing to do an unplugged set.  Vicino says folks from 17 to 70 years old have performed.

"The atmosphere is great, like a family atmosphere," says Treutlein drummer Mike Luci.  "There's a core of people that know each other and welcome new talent."

Vicino himself performs every Wednesday with...anyone.  It's Electric Blues/Rock Jam night, where he and other musicians take the stage and the music takes them where it may.

On other nights, Vicino books a variety of acts, by and large sticking with the blues/jazz genre.  When booking talent, he has one prerequisite - be original.

"I don't care if you do a Bob Dylan song; give me your interpretation of that song, not note for note off the record," Vicino says.

Competition in the restaurant biz is fierce, and Vicino says that so far, he is 'paying his bills', service industry-talk for 'breaking even.'  He says it generally takes a new restaurant a year or two before showing a profit.  Regardless, he says, he's not sweating the chain restaurants or other, local establishments.

On the contrary, Vicino hopes to do more with less.  Want to hear live music? You can do so without having to scream your drink order.  Want to watch the game? No problem, just don't expect it projected onto giant screens.

"I think you can take care of what you do and make people feel comfortable," Vicino says.  "I can't worry about what's happening at Applebee's tonight because that doesn't affect this place."

It's not just the music lovers he hopes to make comfortable.  There's never a cover charge, and live music doesn't kick off until 9 p.m.  That's plenty of time for families to come enjoy a meal or for friends to meet up for happy hour.

"The whole vibe of the place...it's a feel good place to come to, it's a comfortable place to hang out," says Dawn Gund, who adds she travels from Lindenhurst to meet up with friends at Jessie's.

If you don't see Joe Vicino on stage, chances are he's in the kitchen.  Yes, along with paying the bills and playing the guitar, Joe cooks.  His father was a chef, and much of the menu, from the ribs to the pulled pork, are family recipes.

"Eat, drink, and boogie," reads the Jessie's slogan.

Just the basics, basically.

Jessie's Roadhouse is located at 1810 Merrick Road.  Hours are Mon-Sat 5p-?and Sundays 3-10.  For more information go to jessiesroadhouse.com. 

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