Savoy under new ownership

Savoy’s new owners bring decades of bartending experience, a vision for upgrading the nightclub and a desire to increase Savoy’s community outreach.

Chris Hannay, Brandon Llewellyn and Patrick Razo purchased Savoy on April 1, a transaction that’s been in the works for a year. Hannay and Llewellyn continue to work behind the nightclub’s bar, while Razo enters the equation as a big fan of Savoy.

“I just spent my time there,” Razo said. “I purchased the bar previous to purchasing the bar.”

He’ll handle the business side of Savoy while Hannay and Llewellyn hope to enrich the venture with their bartending experience – 11 years apiece. Razo has owned two other companies, “a subcontracting company for a new home builder and a real estate company back in Illinois.”

The trio purchased Savoy from original owners George Butler and Randall Lambright who established it in 2004.

“We’re already changing drink specials, our nights throughout the week,” Razo said. “We are going to be making some cosmetic changes, freshening it up, making it more exciting.”

That makeover includes a renovation of the attached Tattoo Lounge, which will reopen as a sports bar called “Locker Room at Savoy.”

Some things will stay the same, though. They’re keeping the name “Savoy,” because “It’s a very well-known brand,” according to Razo. They’re also hanging onto their bartender staff.

“It’s an Orlando staple we want to make better,” Hannay said. “It was stagnant for a while; it needed a little fresh look. The additions we’re planning to make are going to make it significantly better, I believe.”

He said the feedback from the community has been good.

“These are nice guys and that’s a positive for our neighborhood,” said Scottie Campbell, executive director of Ivanhoe Village, the neighborhood where the bar is located. “They’ve already reached out to see how they can be more involved with the community.”

Razo said they’re going to “thank the community by giving back to the community” and an AIDS Walk team and presence in the Come Out With Pride parade in October are in the works.