An architectural rendering depicts the proposed two-story renovation that would add a rooftop bar and upscale restaurant at KIX in Sea Isle City. (Photo courtesy of KIX)
One of Sea Isle City’s best known bars is expected to get a dramatic facelift – but not right away.
KIX has received planning board approval for a two-story renovation of the bar and nightclub’s exterior overlooking 63rd Street.
The 61-year-old building would be spruced up with a new grand entrance featuring a red, gray and white color scheme, rooftop bar and upscale restaurant, architectural renderings show.
“The new renovation is going to offer something for everybody,” said Carmela Desiderio, executive vice president of KIX.
The Desiderio family, including Sea Isle Mayor Leonard Desiderio, has owned KIX since 1982. Previously, it was called KIX-McNutley’s, but is now known simply as KIX.
Although the Desiderios are in the planning stage for the renovations, construction on the new exterior is actually about two or three years away, Carmela Desiderio explained.
“It’s a couple of years out, but we’re excited to get started,” she said.
The preparations include talking to potential restaurant operators to gauge their level of interest in being part of the project, she noted.
“All good things,” she said of the project so far.
The KIX bar, nightclub and liquor store complex overlooks 63rd Street.With seven bars wrapped within the same complex, KIX bills itself as Sea Isle’s largest “bar scene” on one property.
“You can bar hop without leaving our property!” it says on the KIX website.
The nightclub is bordered by a large swath of Desiderio-owned property between Landis Avenue, 63rd Street and Emmeus Road.
“We sit on 26 lots. They’re all buildable,” Carmela Desiderio said.
Before the Desiderio family acquired the nightclub in 1982, it was known as the Pentagon Bar when originally owned by the Freda family dating back to 1965.
In a throwback to the old days, KIX has named one of its seven bars the Pentagon Bar. Carmela Desiderio hinted that the Pentagon name will become a prominent part of the renovation project.
“We’re going back to our roots,” she said.
The new look would both revitalize and modernize the KIX exterior as the nightclub looks to update its image. The renovations would only be “making it better,” as Carmela Desiderio put it.
“We’re going to keep moving in the direction that we’re going,” she said.
The KIX exterior as it appears today.
