Matt Levine (entrepreneur)

Matt Levine (born February 17, 1982) is an American entrepreneur and restaurateur known for his ventures in branding and hospitality. Levine owns a downtown New York City inspired food and beverage company, indieFORK. Previously, Levine was the owner of the Lower East Side Manhattan lounge, The Eldridge,[1] and creator of Steelo', a high-end men's clothing collection. His other venture, Brandsway Creative, is a branding & marketing firm based out of Manhattan, New York.[2]

Matt Levine
Born (1982-02-17) February 17, 1982
Long Island, New York, United States
OccupationEntrepreneur

Business

Steelo'

Steelo', created by Levin in 2004 and dismantled in 2008, was a men’s clothing collection[3] sold in various high-end boutiques,[4] such as Beam Japans, Holt Renfrew Canada[5] Fred Segal Los Angeles, and Atrium New York[6] voted one of the "Top 20 Brands in the World" by the World Global Style Network. Steelo' apparel has been featured in People and OK! magazines as well in a series of other men's publications[7] and red carpet events.[8]

The Eldridge

Opened by Levine in 2008, the Eldridge is a bar/lounge in the Lower East Side of New York City. The lounge has since received a lot of press regarding its exclusivity, with Fox News calling it a "club that even famous people can't get into."[9] Reportedly only 400 of Levine's most esteemed acquaintances received "VIP admission cards."[10] Known for its live music, celebrity patrons,[11] lavish interior, and used bookstore exterior,[12] The Eldridge has been both praised and criticized for its stringent door policies.[13] In 2008, The Eldridge was voted "Best Display of Marketing Genius" by The Village Voice.[14] In early 2011, The New York Post reported that Levine sold The Eldridge with plans to open a new restaurant in the same area.[15]

Brandsway Creative

In 2010, Levine and business partner Kelly Brady founded Brandsway (sp?)Creative,[16] a branding, marketing, and public relations firm based out of Manhattan New York.[17][18] Nicole Trunfio[19] and Jessica White.

Sons of Essex

Sons of Essex, named Best of 2011 by Food by Thrillist[20] and favorite comfort foods of 2012 by Restaurant Girl,[21] was opened by Matt Levine and Michael Shah in October 2011 in New York City’s Lower East Side.[22]

Cocktail Bodega

In 2012 Levine and Shah opened Cocktail Bodega in the Lower East Side of New York. Cocktail Bodega serves liquor-blended smoothies and spiked fresh-squeezed juices."[23]

Societe Perrier wrote "There are only but so many concepts a bar can assume without being cliche or overly complicated. With Cocktail Bodega, owner Matt Levine has evaded both."[24]

Named one of the best of September 2012 by Thrillist[25].

Personal life

Named a “nightlife guru” by both Gotham Magazine[26] and Instyle Magazine[27] New York Magazine states “Levine’s celebrity-packed Rolodex offering up enough Page Six who’s who sightings to merit the “in” crowd’s stamp of approval.”[28] Levine is known for throwing secret underground parties and raves in the Lower East Side of Manhattan feat. surprise performances and DJs.[29] The venue, the DJ's, and the performers are kept secret until the day of.[30] He's also known for his creative branding, such as the racy "Sons of Essexads" posters used to promote a new late night menu. Posters were plastered throughout the Lower East Side with photos of female hipsters models eating cheeseburgers[31] Additionally, Levine has also been know to embrace original videos as a means of promotion, as he's done for Sons of Essex.[32]

Levine was labeled a "style innovator" by Conde Nast[33]

Levine's small business restaurant marketing was acknowledged by American Express[34] as well as Bank of American labeled Levine a "serial entrepreneur"[35] stating "Matt Levine is one of those guys—cool, hip, and seemingly born with a gift for creating and launching the next big thing." Gotham named Matt Levine one of New York City's "100 most eligible bachelors in 2011."[36]

The Fashion Spot named Levine a "downtown influencer" and a "major player in the Lower East Side nightlife scene."[37]

Named a "trendsetter" nightlife impressionario by Julib.com and is listed as the unofficial mayor of New York City's Lower East Side.[38]

Named to Top 20 Hamptonites List by Hamptons Magazine[39]

Levine was one of the judges for Miss New York USA 2013[40]

References
  1. "The Eldridge — New York Hot Spots — Travel Like A Star — Celebrity". InStyle Magazine. 2008-12-11. Retrieved 2011-04-05.
  2. Thorp, Charles (2010-07-26). "NiteTalk: Matt Levine of The Eldridge Says Venue Isn't "Game-Changing"". NBC New York. Retrieved 2011-04-05.
  3. Vuong, Jess (2008-03-06). "Fashion 2011: Interview with Matt Levine of STEELO". FashionIndie. Archived from the original on 2011-04-29. Retrieved 2011-04-05.
  4. "Steelo' Clothing has Star Quality". KITMEOUT E-Magazine. Archived from the original on 2008-12-28. Retrieved 2011-04-05.
  5. http://www.prnewsonline.com/matt-levine/
  6. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2014-08-08. Retrieved 2014-08-04.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  7. "Steelo Press clippings". Steelo.us. Archived from the original on 2011-08-11. Retrieved 2011-04-05.
  8. "Steelo' on the Red Carpet". LIFE Magazine. Retrieved 2011-04-05.
  9. McKay, Holly (2008-10-24). "The Clubs That Even Famous People Can't Get Into". Fox News. Retrieved 2011-04-05.
  10. "The Eldridge NYC 247 Eldridge Street, New York, NY 10002". Joonbug.com. Retrieved 2011-04-05.
  11. "Caught in the Act! (Beyonce & Jay-Z at The Eldridge)". People Magazine. 2010-01-29. Retrieved 2011-04-05.
  12. "The Eldridge". Thrillist.
  13. "Review: The Eldridge". NY Barfly. 2008-09-04. Archived from the original on 2011-10-06. Retrieved 2011-04-05.
  14. "New York Best Display of Marketing Genius — Matt Levine for the Eldridge — Best Of New York". Village Voice. 2008-10-14. Retrieved 2011-04-05.
  15. "End of Eldridge". New York Post. 2011-03-10. Retrieved 2011-04-05.
  16. Solish, Scott (2010-03-29). "Checking In With The Eldridge's Matt Levine". Eater NY. Retrieved 2011-04-05.
  17. "Brandsway Creative Partners with Pencey to Promote our Favorite Looks | Haute Living Magazine". Hauteliving.com. 2010-03-23. Retrieved 2011-04-05.
  18. "Brandsway Creative — JESS HART".
  19. "Nicole Trunfio". Archived from the original on 2014-10-03. Retrieved 2014-08-04.
  20. "Best of 2011: Food". Thrillist Washington DC. Retrieved 6 November 2012.
  21. Freeman, Danyelle. "Our Favorite Comfort Foods 2012". Retrieved 6 November 2012.
  22. Garcia, Jennifer (2011-10-27). "Matt Levine's Sons of Essex Now Open". CurbedNetwork.
  23. Goodman, Jillian (2012-08-19). "Fall Nightlife Preview". New York Magazine.
  24. "NYC Gets Juiced Over Cocktail Bodega [Gallery]". United States. Archived from the original on September 18, 2013.
  25. http://www.thrillist.com/2012_best_of_the_best_september_ny[EM1] [EM1]added
  26. "Trendy Places to Brunch in New York City".
  27. "The Eldridge — New York Hot Spots — InStyle.com". InStyle.com.
  28. "Sons of Essex". NYMag.com.
  29. "Socially Superlative  – #LESbeat: "One Night in Chinatown" Presented by Red Bull with Brandsways Creative". Socially Superlative.
  30. Julian Kimble. "Red Bull Presents: #LESbeat: "One Night in Chinatown" on 8/30". Complex.
  31. "Racy Sons of Essex Ads Promote New Late Night Menu". Bowery Boogie.
  32. "6 Lessons From a YouTube-Savvy Restaurant". Mashable. 17 August 2012.
  33. http://indiefork.com/fingerprints-conde-nast/
  34. "6 Insider Tips on Using YouTube". OPEN Forum.
  35. "Business Startups: Q&A with Serial Entrepreneur Matt Levine: Small Business Community".
  36. "Black Book: 100 Most Eligible Bachelors in NYC". Gotham Magazine. Retrieved 2011-04-05.
  37. Feiereisen, Sharon. "Downtown Influencer: An Interview with Matthew Levine". The Fashion Spot. Retrieved 6 November 2012.
  38. http://www.julib.com/node/6681%5B%5D
  39. Golden, Marni. "20 Hamptonites: Summer Essentials". Hamptons. Retrieved 6 November 2012.
  40. Solomon, Serena. "'Miss Hell's Kitchen' Set to Represent New York in Miss USA Pageant". DNA Info New York. Archived from the original on 4 January 2015. Retrieved 21 January 2013.
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