Forbes Magazine Sits Down with Mark Birnbaum

Forbes Magazine recently took the time to sit down with Mark Birnbaum and chat about how he and his partner, Eugene Remm designed, built and run their New York hot spot, Catch.



For those who might not remember, Mark Birnbaum actually sat down with Forbes in April of 2010 to discuss how they built their $30 million luxury nightlife empire in light of the economic downturn. Mark has come a long way since then, opening new ventures as far down the east coast as Miami.

Feel free to take a look at the above video to see how Mark Birnbaum crafted a well rounded plan from the ground up to develop one of New York City's hottest restaurants down in the Meatpacking District.

Mark Birnbaum – The charming honcho of New York Nightlife

The title of “the King of New York Nightlife” seems to go perfectly with the personality of MarkBirnbaum. With a charming personality, the man has built a huge nightlife empire that spans over of nightclubs, lounges and restaurants in the meatpacking district of New York.

The property that this most eligible bachelor in the country owns, along with his two partners Eugene Remm and Michael Hirtenstein, is worth $30 million. The house in Sag Harbor, Long Island that is owned by EMM group is the destination for some of the hottest parties in town.

However, the start to success was as dramatic as one could ever imagine. The series of competitive parties that Mark and Eugene threw on their birthday, which by mere coincidence falls on the same day 10^th of June, led to the beginning of a never-ending friendship and business partnership that lead to conquer the fort of New York’s nightlife.

Mark Birnbaum is the power behind the exuberant nightlife of New York City

Nothing is more beautiful than a quiet Saturday evening spent in a classy restaurant with friends or family. In the yesteryears however, good restaurants were not easy to find and the ones available were costly. Mark Birnbaum, together with his association with Mr. Eugene Remm and Mr. Michael Herrnstein, has brought about a radical change in that scenario.

Their company, the EMM group has created a string of gorgeous restaurants and clubs that have become the heart of New York nightlife in a short period of time. This has been a major boon for people who simply wanted to unwind with good food wine and music on weekends, but could not find a worthy place for the same. Mr. Birnbaum’s fame has spread everywhere and many celebrities and people of high repute have become a part of his esteemed clientele.

Mark Birnbaum – The Creator of Luxurious Nightlife & Hospitality Hotspots

Looking for an exquisite wining and dining experience, then head to the suave seafood restaurant ‘Catch’ in the meatpacking district of Manhattan. Always a perfect setting; whether a high profile event or a private soiree for the rich and the famous. The man behind this successful story is none other than hospitality mogul Mark Birnbaum. He has the perfect ingredients for the success of Catch with the ambience, hospitality and top chef winner Hung Huynh.

It just does not stop there, with his entrepreneurial venture of the EMM Group which he created with good friend Eugene Remm and business entrepreneur Michael Hirtenstein, Mark has provided an unparallel nightlife experience to all New Yorkers. The EMM Group which he started in 2006 has become a brand name in the luxury and hospitality industry. Whether it a night life experience with their clubs like TenJune, Catch roof, Chandelier Room and SL East or a great dining experience with Lexington Brass or Abe & Arthur’s, the trio has surely hit it big.

So how does he keep his endeavors in the meatpacking district? The answer is easy by catering to the demands of its patrons and offering them an unparallel experience. His love for the nightlife industry is evident from one of his oldest interviews after the launch of the Lobby in which he said, “I have always thrown parties, and always wanted to do that. When 9-11 happened, I lived right across the street, and then the economy took a nose-dive and I figured it's better to do what makes you happy, doing what you want to do and that will make you successful and happy.”

When everyone was reeling under the economic meltdown of 2007, Mark and his partners were busy investing their millions to acquire more space for their ventures. It is easy to guess why Mark Birnbaum is the reigning king of the nightlife industry in New York, it is his flair to take risks and deliver nothing short of the best. Mark is a busy man with his two new hotspots 199 Bowery and Catch in Miami, it’s yet to be seen whether they live up to the standards of the EMM group.

Mark Birnbaum – The New Face of the Nightlife Industry

Mark Birnbaum works hard and knows how to make the show to go on. As one of the partners of the EMM Group, he has changed the way events are organized in cosmopolitan cities like New York. It is all due to his endeavors, that New Yorkers are now reveling in fine dining and nightlife.

Mark Birnbaum is the perfect example of futuristic thinking and hard work, which helps to bring about innovative changes. To be successful was not at all easy; it did not come knocking at his door as he had to work hard to reach this pinnacle. The title of “The New Kings of NewYork Nightlife” has been earned after overcoming many hurdles. The journey to his success started in 1998 with the launch of a mega club in Ithaca. This was followed by Marks entrepreneurial venture ‘Operative Inc’ that was credited with the launch of the successful club Lobby, followed shortly by AER Lounge that was termed by the Conde Nast traveler as one of the best places to party in the world.

EMM Group evolved in 2006, when Mark collaborated along with his best friend Eugene Remm and business entrepreneur Michael Hirtenstein. Today, EMM Group is one of the biggest players in the luxury and hospitality industry. Since then, this group has added some of the best restaurants in the city like the Catch, Lexington Brass and Abe’s & Arthur’s. Their lounges and nightlife clubs include those of SL, TenJune and Chandelier room. Mark has also joined the lifestyle management bandwagon through 400 and the Estate. The success story of this millionaire continues in spite of all the adversities.

Mark Birnbaum’s Restaurant Catch NYC

Mark Birnbaum, Eugene Remm and Michael Hirtenstein, owners of New York’s Leading hospitality company EMM Group, opened their third restaurant in 2011. Catch NYC is one of New York’s hottest spots with its pristine décor, impeccable service and chic atmosphere. Mark Birnbaum along with partners Eugene Remm and Michael Hirtenstein used their expertise and experience in the hospitality industry to hit another home run with their third restaurant.

Catch NYC specializes in seafood delicatessens from around the globe and raises the bar for upscale city dining. A classic dining experience in New York may comprise of a traditional three course meal within a well-established venue. Mark Birnbaum and his partners made Catch NYC set an all new precedent for New York City dining with a more relaxed, yet stylish atmosphere. You can be sure to receive a full flavor banquet of seafood that is sure to satisfy your pallet. Catch NYC has honed Top Chef winner Hung Huynh, so you can be sure to experience a lavish and delectable cuisine, cooked to perfection.

 

EMM Group partners, Mark Birnbaum, Eugene Remm and Michael Hirtenstein have merged their solid culinary background with the expertise of chefs Hung Huynh and Franklin Becker.  Crispy Whole Red Snapper for two with Oyster Mushrooms, Salmon A La Plancha, Seared Tuna , Sole A La Plancha, and a two pound Cantonese Lobster are just some of the dishes you can indulge in at Catch.

Source: Mark Birnbaum, The New Kings of New York Nightlife

ABOUT EMM GROUP

Eugene Remm and Mark Birnbaum along with business entrepreneur Michael Hirtenstein founded EMM Group, one of New York’s most successful hospitality, lifestyle, and management companies, in 2006. Since that time the partners have built a solid reputation as leaders in the industry, organizing several hundred events and developing the company into a multi-faceted hub for successful venue ownership and execution.

EMM Group specializes in restaurant and nightlife operations, marketing and event production, celebrity procurement and lifestyle management. Building on the success of their first nightlife venture Tenjune, a celebrity haunt location in the heart of the Meatpacking District, EMM Group’s business portfolio continues to expand with the creation of new trend-setting hospitality and lifestyle ventures.

In 2007, EMM Group purchased The EMM Group Estate, a privately-owned property in the Hamptons that plays home to the most exclusive events during the summer season, and launched Four Hundred, a members-only, lifestyle management service. In April 2009, they expanded themselves into the hotel-lounge industry with the opening of The Chandelier Room at the W Hoboken Hotel.

During Fashion Week in Fall 2009, EMM Group unveiled the latest additions to its burgeoning portfolio with the opening of its first restaurant, Abe & Arthur’s, and a neighboring boutique nightclub, SL, on West 14^th Street. With EMM Group’s corporate office located next door and their nightlife flagship Tenjune holding court two streets south, these additions only cement the group’s stronghold on the Meatpacking district. In an ever-changing industry in a highly competitive climate, EMM Group continues to demonstrate forward thinking, while staying true to their founding principles of superior services, thoughtful execution and exceptional management.

Source: Mark Birnbaum The New Kings of New York Nightlife