New Lounge Opens This Weekend on U.S. 19

After two months of construction and a soft opening last weekend that drew a crowd of more than 450 people, Zo Lounge, an upscale nightclub on U.S. 19 in Clearwater, will officially open for business tonight.

Boasting a chic interior filled with dark woods, glossy marble countertops, splashy colors and state-of-the-art electronics, the club aims to provide something managers believe is sorely lacking in this area.

"This is an elite social nightclub that Pinellas County has never had before," manager Jennifer McDonnell said. "Stepping in here overrides the senses —the atmosphere, the music, the drinks. It's going to be like New Year's Eve every night of the week."

The club will feature a different theme every night. Monday is service industry night, Tuesday will feature techno music, Wednesday is ladies night, Thursday there will be live music, and Friday and Saturday is for Top 40 and old-school dancing.

According to owner Paul Scagnelli, Zo's happy hour will be the best around, with 2-for-1 everything from 5-9 p.m. Monday through Friday, and a buffet featuring sushi and other munchies.

"Every drink will be 2-for-1, not just wells and house wines," he said.

Both Scagnelli and McDonnell are confident the club, which utilizes cutting-edge Apple electronics to control the sound system and point-of-sale systems that can deliver bar bills to patrons' smartphones, will fill a void in north Pinellas County.

"Young upscale professionals don't always want to travel to Tampa or downtown St. Pete to go to fun, popular clubs," McDonnell said. "With us, they don't have to go across the bridge or worry about a long drive home."

"We hope to be a cornerstone for the surrounding area to build off of," she added. "We hope it will spur growth around us and make this area a destination place for the people of Pinellas County."

Zo Lounge

Address: 25032 U.S. 19 N

Phone: 727-725-3093

Hours: 5 p.m.-3 a.m. Monday-Friday, 8 p.m.-3 a.m. Saturday, closed Sunday