Loungin'.

A Look At The Just-Opened Twilite Lounge in Deep Ellum.

We've known for a while now what to expect of new Deep Ellum watering hole Twilite Lounge, which comes to us from the minds of area musicians and stalwarts Danny Balis (The King Bucks, 1310 The Ticket) and Jess Barr (Slobberbone, The Barley House). But yesterday evening we finally saw it in person, as the bar, located in the old Insomnia Coffee Bar space at 2640 Elm Street (just to the left of the still-expanding Anvil Pub), opened its doors to the public for the very first time.

True to Balis and Barr's words, the spot's a classy-looking one: Vinyl booths line the space's right-hand wall; an inviting, well-kept garden patio sits out back; intricate wallpaper decorates the walls, which are covered with various, framed music posters and photos; couches and bookshelves fill the gaps toward the back of the inside space and on the spot's small front window-framed stage; and, in a layout not all too different from that of the Amsterdam Bar in Exposition Park, the bar, walk-in and restrooms take up the left-hand side of the interior.

Meanwhile, across from a retro cigarette machine that welcomes patrons immediately upon entering the space sits a carefully curated jukebox filled with country, soul and Americana classics. Interestingly, though, you won't find any albums from Slobberbone, The King Bucks or Balis' own solo career in that case. Rather, the jukebox boasts only a single local album, Funland's 1995 The Funland Band — in these proprietors' defense, an excellent choice with which few would argue.

Of course, there's still some work to be done elsewhere, Balis notes: He and Barr are still figuring out some plumbing concerns, still considering some extra decorations, and still waiting on some beer deliveries to come through. Per that last note: Though the bar currently boasts taps for local brews from Lakewood Brewing Company, Revolver Brewing and Deep Ellum Brewing Co., bartenders were only able to pour from Lakewood beers last night.

Nonetheless, last night's opening, if informal for the most part, showed promise for the welcoming space, which, as of yesterday, will start running on a full-fledged, regular, daily schedule. And, though there's no grand opening planned for the room at the moment, Balis was able to at least let loose this much about his bar's music bookings, which are expected to come few and far between: Centro-matic's Will Johnson will perform a solo show at Twilite on Saturday, June 29.