THE BIG NIGHT STORY
TRANSFORMING HOSPITALITY
Founded in 2006 by veteran nightclub owners Ed Kane and Joe Kane, along with marketing and entertainment expert Randy Greenstein, Big Night exists to create unique dining and nightlife experiences that transcend tradition and status quo.
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Big Night Entertainment Group was founded in 2006 by veteran hospitality gurus and brothers Ed and Joe Kane alongside marketing and entertainment expert Randy Greenstein. Since its inception, the group has brought unparalleled dining and nightlife experiences to people across New England and beyond.
Big Night began its epic journey with The Estate in Boston, an award-winning nightclub that introduced next-level nightlife like never before to the city. Big Night went on to take the nightlife scene by storm with the debut of Shrine Nightclub at Foxwoods Resort Casino in 2008. Named Top 100 Clubs in The World, the club brings cutting-edge nightlife to guests with the most sought-after DJs and the most exclusive VIP services, setting the standard for clubs across the Northeast.
Big Night continued their expansion at Foxwoods with their first dining concept named Scorpion Bar in 2009. A gothic Mexican cantina and rock bar, Scorpion Bar quickly became a staple in the Connecticut dining and nightlife scene with innovative yet traditional Mexican dishes, prime DJ entertainment and an extensive beverage program featuring over 100 tequilas. With no signs of slowing down, Big Night debuted their third Foxwoods venue named High Rollers Luxury Lanes & Sports Lounge in fall of 2010. The retro chic Vegas-style bowling alley was voted the most beautiful bowling alley in the world and offers 20 bowling lanes with VIP lanes, three private rooms, two bars, 60 high-def TVs, professional billiards tables, and innovative cuisine.
Next, the group brought things back to Boston with the introduction of Red Lantern Restaurant & Lounge, their first Asian locale located in the heart of Back Bay. The restaurant went on to garner a number of awards for their fresh sushi, inventive entrées, hand-crafted cocktails, a wide selection of sake, and vibrant nightlife. The concept was so popular that they opened another Red Lantern location at Foxwoods. Expansion continued into the summer of 2012 with the introduction of another Asian locale named Empire Restaurant & Lounge to Boston’s Seaport District which quickly became a leading neighborhood dining destination. Shortly after in 2015, Big Night continued building their nightlife empire with the debut of GEM Nightclub located in Boston’s Downtown Crossing.
After nearly three years of setting the bar high in service, cuisine, and nightlife with their seven venues, the group made 2016 a banner year with two new venue openings including the introduction of Scorpion Bar to Foxboro’s Patriot’s Place and Guy Fieri’s Foxwoods Kitchen + Bar to Foxwoods Resort Casino. Located steps away from Gillette Stadium, Scorpion Bar Patriot Place quickly became one of the premier spots during games and introduced its award-winning margaritas, edgy vibe, and colorful dishes to the people of Foxboro. Two short months after Scorpion Bar’s opening, attention was shifted back to Foxwoods, where Big Night teamed up with Celebrity Chef Guy Fieri to open Guy Fieri’s Foxwoods Kitchen + Bar. Guy’s puts creative twists on classic American comfort food with bold dishes like Trash Can Nachos and his famous Bacon Mac-N-Cheese burger. Its rustic feel and almost familiar dishes give the casino venue an outstanding feel of comfort in the middle of the excitement of Foxwoods.
Continuing to build upon their success, the group introduced three new concepts in 2017 including Explorateur Café, Restaurant & Bar located inside downtown Boston’s historic Masonic Lodge. Explorateur not only made its mark on Boston with its approachable cuisine, but its extensive coffee, pastry, and cocktail programs created by the company’s best chefs and bartenders. Soon after, the Seaport District welcomed the group’s third Scorpion Bar location and a luxurious nightclub, The Grand. The winner of the 2018 Dance Club of the Year Award, The Grand is the first of its kind in Boston with VIP and bottle services, world renowned DJ’s, and a high-end locale for the ultimate night out in Boston.
2018 witnessed two more venue debuts from the Big Night team with the opening of CBS Sporting Club in partnership with CBS. The restaurant and sports bar located in the heart of Patriot Place showcases a variety of dishes and shareable plates utilizing fresh, bold ingredients with a modern twist on New England classics. The venue features unparalleled views of Gillette Stadium and a 25-foot LED TV to catch all of the game day action. Big Night then introduced the arcade bar VERSUS to Downtown Crossing in Boston, the first of its kind in the area. The retro-modern hangout features arcade classics, pop art murals by New England artist Dirty Dek and 1980’s-inspired design elements that has made a major splash.
The group continues to grow rapidly, partnering with household names like Encore Boston Harbor to debut unique spaces like Mystique Asian Restaurant & Lounge and Mémoire. Nightclub. Mystique features a wide selection of sushi, an extensive robata program, dishes that put a modern spin on traditional pan-Asian delicacies, as well as an inventive cocktail program. Mémoire is Encore Boston Harbor’s flagship nightlife destination that transcends convention at every turn with state-of-the-art video technology, intelligent lighting, a Funktion One sound system, and entertainment consisting of world-class DJs.
In 2019 the group introduced Big Night Live and PLAY at The Hub on Causeway to the people of Boston. Big Night Live is a 40,000 square foot concert / music hall that boasts 24 VIP tables, a long oversized central island bar and unparalleled access to top musical artists.
Big Night has not only triumphantly introduced a variety of successful concepts to the New England area, but most recently has brought a new level of innovation to the industry with the launch of Big Night Creative (BNC). BNC is an internal global creative consultancy that fuses intelligent design adaptive branding and advanced media to build radically inclusive creative communications systems for innovators across all industries. The group works both internally and externally offering services such as brand strategy, social & PR strategy, graphic design, video production, event branding, and more.
In October 2021, Big Night introduced CardVault at Patriot Place, a first-of-its-kind retail experience designed for buying, selling, trading, and consigning sports cards and collectibles. CardVault offers a unique opportunity for enthusiasts and beginners to learn, trade, purchase, sell, and grade sports cards.
For eight years in a row, Big Night Entertainment Group has proudly been named one of the top 10 places to work by the Boston Globe, winning the #1 spot in 2016, the only hospitality company to do so. Success and growth are inevitable for the company in the upcoming years, with the consistent expansion of Big Night’s venue collective. The only question is – Are You Ready for a Big Night?
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A charismatic Boston native and Harvard graduate, Ed Kane is the visionary leader behind New England’s preeminent hospitality company, Big Night. For over 30 years Kane has been pushing the envelope in Boston’s restaurant and nightlife scene, introducing award-winning venues and one-of-a-kind concepts. Kane’s eye for design has garnered countless industry awards and has made Big Night Entertainment Group synonymous with style. An influential Boston businessman in his own right, his leadership and expertise has earned him a spot in the Massachusetts Hospitality Hall of Fame.
Kane began his illustrious restaurant career in 1989 when he and his brother, Joe, bought and renovated a ’50s-style diner. Their transformation built what is now the popular Hingham Harbor restaurant, Stars. In 1992, the Kanes – along with partners Greg Acerra and Arthur DeCarli – purchased an old granary in Hingham and transformed it into an architectural wonder, Tosca. The new restaurant quickly became an iconic local eatery, receiving countless national design and Best of Boston awards. Following the success of Tosca, the team opened nearby Caffé Tosca, with lighter Italian fare, and then launched the fast-growing FireKing Baking Company.
Tosca and Caffé Tosca gave Kane and his partners a good taste of the Boston restaurant and hospitality scene, leading them to start Big Night Entertainment Group in 2006. In 2008, the group debuted Shrine Nightclub and Red Lantern in Connecticut’s Foxwoods Resort Casino. The sultry, dramatic restaurant and casino club debuted to rave reviews and national recognition. Shrine is like nothing New England has seen before, outfitted in the latest technology and introducing renowned acts to New England for the first time. Shrine earned a coveted spot in the top 35 on Nightclub and Bar’s prestigious “Top 100 Nightclubs in the Country”. Following the success for Shrine, Kane and the Big Night team introduced Scorpion Bar and High Rollers Luxury Lanes & Lounge to Foxwoods in 2009 and 2010, respectively. In 2016 the group continued their Foxwoods expansion and partnered with celebrity chef and television personality Guy Fieri to open Guy Fieri Foxwoods Kitchen + Bar.
Kane and Big Night moved their culinary success to Boston in 2011, opening three new restaurants within a year – Red Lantern, located in Back Bay, is a luxurious Pan-Asian hotspot, widely known for its sophisticated taste with both early and late-night dinners, the perfect completion to a night out on the town and Empire, the first Asian-fusion restaurant to hit Boston’s Seaport District, mixing Asia’s eclectic culinary tastes with Boston’s lively nightlife on a prime oceanfront location. In 2016 Kane and Big Night headed to Foxborough’s Patriot Place where they opened their second Scorpion Bar location right outside of Gillette Stadium.
2017 saw Big Night introduce the all-day French-Californian concept, Explorateur, just steps away from the iconic Boston Common. This one-of-a-kind dining experience transforms from a European café in the mornings to a luxurious dining room in the evenings, where sophisticated dishes embrace modern French cuisine with West Coast flair. Kane spearheaded Explorateur from concept to creation, utilizing his experience to design this multifaceted dining venue located within the historic Grand Masonic Lodge. In 2017, Kane and his team also unveiled the duo of The Scorpion Bar Boston and The Grand at Boston’s burgeoning Seaport District. Expanding from the immense success at Foxwoods Resort and Casino and Patriot Place, Scorpion Bar Boston exudes excitement with its signature inventive Mexican fare and libations. Located just upstairs from Scorpion Bar is Boston’s premier nightlife destination, The Grand, a $14 million Las Vegas-style nightclub featuring top of the line audio and vision technology in a space that is equally luxurious and exciting. Welcoming top talent from around the globe, including celebrity DJ’s like Steve Aoki, Marshmello and Tiësto, The Grand offers an unprecedented nightlife experience to Boston and is the first ever Boston venue to be named Dance Club of the Year by Nightclub & Bar.
Big Night debuted CBS Sporting Club in 2018 in collaboration with The Kraft Group and CBS. Located in the heart of Foxborough’s Patriot Place, this modern restaurant and sports bar quickly became the ultimate game day destination featuring fresh food and drink that put a modern twist on traditional New England classics and a space that boasts unparalleled views of Gillette Stadium. Later that year, Big Night also introduced the arcade bar VERSUS to Downtown Crossing in Boston. The space is packed with retro modern arcade games, iconic pop art murals by local New England artist Dirty Dek, televisions, 1980’s pop culture-inspired design elements and a state-of-the-art sound system.
In 2019 Kane and the Big Night team kept the momentum going with the debut of Mystique and Mémoire, flagship luxury dining and nightlife destinations located inside of the Encore Boston Harbor. Mystique features an innovative menu of carefully crafted robata and sushi selections, and an array of dishes that put a modern spin on traditional Pan-Asian cuisine. Mémoire is a marvel that transcends convention at every turn with entertainment from the world’s top DJs and state-of-the-art sound, lighting and video technology systems that make for the ultimate nightclub experience.
In 2019, the group debuted Big Night Live and Guy’s Tequila Cocina at the Hub on Causeway. A premier luxury music hall featuring over 40,000 square feet of live entertainment and nightlife space, Big Night Live brings world-class entertainment unlike anyone has seen before to the city of Boston. Guests can enjoy fresh food and cocktails inspired by the bold flavors of Mexico at Guy’s Tequila Cocina, a concept located inside of Big Night Live created in partnership with Celebrity Chef / Restaurateur Guy Fieri.
Most recently, Big Night teamed up with Guy Fieri once again to bring Guy Fieri’s Boston Kitchen + Bar to downtown Boston’s historic Grand Masonic Lodge. The 10,000-square-foot sprawling space has an expansive bar and a menu that brings all the comfort and flavors that Guy Fieri’s fans come to know and love.
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For more than 30 years, Joe Kane has been a fixture in the hospitality industry in and around Boston. During this time Kane has built and strengthened close relationships with generations of celebrities and movers-and-shakers in the nightlife and restaurant industries. He has become one of the most recognized persons in the industry and was inducted to the Massachusetts Hospitality Hall of Fame in 2012 alongside business partner and brother Ed Kane.
In 1989, Kane and his brother Ed bought and renovated a ’50s-style diner. Their transformation built what is now the popular Hingham Harbor restaurant, Stars. In 1992, the Kanes purchased an old granary in Hingham and transformed it into an architectural wonder, Tosca. The restaurant quickly became an iconic local eatery, receiving countless national design and “Best of Boston” awards. Following the success of Tosca, the team opened nearby Caffé Tosca and FireKing Baking Company.
Kane spent several years as Managing Partner at Waterworks and Marina Bay Beach Club, before being recruited by the Lyons Group. Simultaneously, he helped create Big Night as an umbrella company, which focuses on creating a unique nightlife experience by managing and marketing its key venues.
One of Kane’s biggest assets is his ability to organize and strengthen a venue’s operations, bringing it to peak efficiency and profitability. In 2007, he played a pivotal role in the successful opening of Shrine Nightclub in Foxwoods Resort Casino and has since, worked with his brother and Greenstein to launch a dynamic portfolio of first-of-their-kind restaurant and nightlife destinations across New England including: Big Night Live featuring Studio B and Guy Fieri’s Tequila Cocina, Mystique and Mémoire at Encore Boston Harbor, The Grand, Empire, Guy Fieri’s Boston Kitchen + Bar, Red Lantern, Scorpion Bar, and Versus in Boston; CBS Sporting Club, the Card Vault, and Scorpion Bar at Foxboro’s Patriot Place; Shrine, Red Lantern, High Rollers, Scorpion Bar, and Guy Fieri’s Foxwoods Kitchen + Bar at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Connecticut.
Several new concepts have emerged from Big Night including Big Night Breaks, Big Night Fitness, Big Night Media, Big Night Creative, Big Night Radio, Big Night Gaming, Big Night Talent, and the group’s charitable arm, Big Night Big Heart. Big Night’s expansion has reached new industries and the group shows no sign of slowing down.
The group has garnered several awards like “Top 100 Nightclubs in the Country” and has consistently ranked on The Boston’s Globe’s “Top Places to Work” list.
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Co-Owner Randy Greenstein brings innate knowledge and years of industry experience to Big Night, a first-of-its-kind entertainment, hospitality, creative, marketing, music, and media company.
Greenstein kick-started his career as an on-air personality at the legendary Kiss 108 in Boston where he quickly worked his way up to account executive. Within a couple of short years, he continued to climb the ranks and became one of Clear Channel’s top sellers.
It was in 2006 that he joined forces with brothers Ed and Joe Kane to form Big Night. Since day one, Greenstein has fully immersed himself in the Big Night brand with a focus on day-to-day operations, marketing, and entertainment for group’s growing portfolio of 19 award-winning properties including: Big Night Live featuring Studio B and Guy Fieri’s Tequila Cocina, Mystique and Mémoire at Encore Boston Harbor, The Grand, Empire, Guy Fieri’s Boston Kitchen + Bar, Red Lantern, Scorpion Bar, and Versus in Boston; CBS Sporting Club, the Card Vault and Scorpion Bar at Foxboro’s Patriot Place; Shrine, Red Lantern, High Rollers, Scorpion Bar, and Guy Fieri’s Foxwoods Kitchen + Bar at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Connecticut.
A trail blazer at heart, Greenstein has been a driving force behind the expansion and success of Big Night’s newest and exceptionally innovative concepts including Big Night Breaks, Big Night Fitness, Big Night Media, Big Night Creative, Big Night Radio, Big Night Gaming, and Big Night Talent. Most recently, he has worked with the Big Night Talent team to launch ESCAPΞPLAN, a pioneering DJ duo of NFT apes that have turned the music industry on its head and garnered collaborations with world-renowned artists like Dillon Francis and Rich the Kid.
Greenstein is also a central player in Big Night’s charitable arm, Big Night Big Heart. Established in 2020, the organization has partnered with the American Red Cross and several other charitable organizations to raise funding in support their missions. He’s worked closely with the Big Night Big Heart team to launch the B Strong Fund, a 501c3 initiative designed to assist members of the Big Night family most in need through the pandemic and beyond.
He continues to be a critical part of Big Night’s success through innovating and developing new and pivotal divisions of the brand.
To learn more or connect with Randy, follow him on Instagram (@randy) or LinkedIn (Randy Greenstein).
Randy Greenstein, Joe Kane, & Ed Kane at The Grand in Boston.