“A Day in the Life” is a series where we’ll profile a variety of residents to get an intimate glimpse into their day-to-day. These are your neighbors. Get to know them.
Meet the king of Boston nightlife, Ed Kane. The entrepreneur and owner of Big Night Entertainment Group runs some of Boston’s best and most popular restaurants and nightclubs including Red Lantern, GEM, and Empire.
But despite working in the nightlife business, Kane claims that he’s still an early riser. “People think because I’m in nightlife, I sleep in, but no matter what time I go to bed, I get up at the same time every day – between 7 and 7:30 a.m.”
Here, Kane tells us how he spends his days and what’s in store for Big Night Entertainment.
How do you spend most mornings?
I start my day with a cup of coffee, read the Boston Globe, and make my way to the Thinking Cup. I usually have my first meeting at 9 a.m. each day at the Thinking Cup.
What are the top priorities on your to-do list right now?
We have had an incredible growth spurt, where we were the fastest growing hospitality group in the country. We took some time to regroup and focus on operations, and now we’re working on a couple of deals, which would be the largest in our portfolio. Working to finish the negotiations on those is my top priority.
What is the best part and the worst part about your day?
The best part of my day is the interaction with really creative people and, that is, people on all levels. Employees, managers, other owners, people working on new business deals, people in the music business and friends. The worst part of my day is typically unexpected crises. Things that disrupt my usual day-to-day and require my immediate attention.
What do you love most about working in the restaurant and nightclub business?
First of all, I love to create new venues. I love the design part, the creative process. I also like the interaction with really interesting, dynamic, and creative people. We have a lot of celebrities, but we also get to rub shoulders with a lot of people in sports ownership, science, publishing, new technology, interior design and architecture. And I’ve been really blessed to spend a lot of time with those folks. I think that has really give me a broader and better appreciation for what it going on in the world of fashion, restaurants, food and music.
What’s in the future for Big Night Entertainment Group?
As I alluded to earlier, we are about to open what will be our largest projects yet. They will be a continuation of our luxury brand that bridges great food, award-winning design and nightlife.
If you could impart one piece of advice to our readers, what would it be?
We always try to create designs and concepts that are transportive and glamorous, and while they are unexpected, they are still comfortable to people. They feel like a part of their surroundings. My advice to our readers is to be as creative as you think the market will allow you to be. Don’t be afraid to push the envelope.
What would you do if you were suddenly granted a day off from work tomorrow?
I would do what I always do – travel. Part of the inspiration for me is travel. If I was granted an extra day, I would spend it somewhere across the globe.
If you weren’t answering my questions, what would you be doing instead?
Riding my motorcycle or rock climbing.
Image courtesy of Big Night Entertainment Group
