Jazz Genius Planned for Former Tijuana Picnic Space

The ground floor of 151 Essex Street hasn’t been the same since Tijuana Picnic closed its doors. Jazz Genius Corporation, backed by Marc Rabinowitz , Rie Rabinowitz and Claude Rabinowitz , recently submitted a liquor license application outlining a plan to turn the space into a hub for live music.

Marc Rabinowitz confirmed in email correspondence with What Now NY that he and his team are working towards opening a jazz club in the Lower East Side later this year. While Jazz Genius Corporation is still in the early stages of development, if all goes according to plan, Rabinowitz hopes doors can open sometime in the fall of 2024.

The liquor license application Jazz Genius submitted indicates that once the space is repurposed and renovated, it will be able to seat 70 people with approximately 30 tables in total. The hope is for jazz trios and quartets to play live music on a stage in the cellar every night.

A sample menu attached to the liquor license application hints that food options will be gluten-free. It featured shareable plates like chicken wings and burrata, and main courses like roasted pork tenderloin and filet mignon. A jazz-inspired cocktail menu was also included.

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