Now in its third iteration, the recently re-located and re-opened Leisure Club is ready to bring you the full experience you deserve. Launched by creative duo Matthew Barnes and Jared Gibbons, Leisure Club is one part experiential retail store and one part event venue — with a strong “basement den” aesthetic that any 80s dad would love.
Tucked into a side-alley entrance at 1365 Grandview Ave., walking into Leisure Club feels like a secret discovery. You’re welcomed by an assortment of vintage/thrift decor, knick-knacks and clothing items that collectively feel like more of a mini-museum than a store.
That vibe is intentional, according to Barnes, who is eager to tell visitors the stories behind collecting every piece of artwork on the walls — some of which go back over a decade for some pretty rare and localized finds.
Prior to Grandview Avenue, Leisure Club most recently took up a residency inside “The Fort” located at 2000 S. High St. While the concept proved popular, Barnes and Gibbons were forced to close due to a lack of proper occupancy permitting for retail commercial usage, which ended up serving as as blessing in disguise. The coronavirus pandemic hit shortly afterward, and they pivoted to an eCommerce model until a new location could be found a year later.
The new store opened in May with limited hours of operation, and is available for event rentals with a liquor license in the works. Some very small limited-capacity public events are also in the works in the near future.
For more information, visit www.leisureclub.co.
All photos by Walker Evans.
