The Naked Lounge is ready to turn it up a notch.

On Oct. 15 at their Downtown location on the corner of H and 11th streets, the coffee shop will roll-up their garage doors for an all ages music venue.  

"We opened this coffee house in February," said Jenn Fox, General Manager.  "We never wanted music inside the coffeehouse, we focus just on coffee. But then we got to thinking ... it's already next door, it's a great space, let's do a venue." 

Over the next few months, the Naked Lounge music venue quickly started to form. The rented space, known as "Retrolodge," is aptly named after the Astro and Elroy motels. The style for both motels was modeled after the 1950s and 60s Palm Springs look. They have since been renovated with their space now being rented to Sacramento business tenants.  

"It's a weird spot, really unique," Fox said. "It is really changing the face of downtown. There is nothing like it in Sacramento."

The two locations will be located next to one another, side by side. A roll-up door separates them, but will be open during events. The venue, like the coffee house, is modestly sized and will have an intimate feel seating about 50 people. The coffee house has a unique space with a lounge area, central espresso bar and also seats about 50. 

Fox said the music at the venue will be lively and varied, with no heavy metal or DJs performing. There will be folk rock, alternative country like Americana, jazz and blues. They plan on showing local Sacramento bands, but also touring bands from Chico, Chicago and even New York, she said.

"The point is to highlight local acts, but also to get people to come [out] to Sacramento," Fox said.  Subscribing to their weekly newsletter located at their website is the best way to follow what bands will be performing, she said. 

Alcohol will be served to those 21 and over.  Coffee will continue to be served as long as the venue is open, Fox said.  Normally, the lounge is only open until 7 p.m. Following the grand opening on Oct. 15, the lounge and venue will stay open as late as midnight depending on the night. 

The music venue will also double as a nightlife entertainment hangout spot on nights not performing any music, Fox said. 

"There will be some sort of venue six nights a week," Fox said. "Tuesday night is open mic night, Wednesday night is documentary night and Sunday evening there will be a pub quiz." 

The pub quiz will not have the traditional feel to it, she said, and the documentaries are especially interesting. 

"The first five weeks we will be showing 'Up'," Fox said. "In it the filmmaker follows 14 seven-year-old children in Britain from 1964, and every seven years he has updates with them."

 Overall, Fox said she is looking forward to the grand opening experience and what it will bring to the downtown Sacramento night scene. 

"There are not too many places in Sacramento you can go with your friends, sit, have a beer and watch something intellectually stimulating," Fox said. "It really is unique." 

The Naked Coffee's website will announce upcoming entertainment, or there is a section to sign up for their newsletter. 

Local bands can book their performances through Jenn Fox by emailing her at Jenn@nakedcoffee.net. 

Photos courtesy from nakedcoffee.net.