Bull Moose opens in Oyster Bay: Inside Jesse Schenker's members-only club

Fresh off the heels of The Comet Club opening in Westbury, Jesse Schenker and Claudia Taglich’s Lush Life Hospitality has unveiled its latest project: Bull Moose, a members-only speakeasy-style lounge that offers fans of the Oyster Bay chef and his restaurants priority access and perks within his empire.

The draw of joining Bull Moose is clearly a luxury -- with a one-time initiation fee of $5,000 and annual fee of $1,200 -- but one that Schenker felt was ready for primetime. "This industry has changed tremendously. It's less about what's on the menu now, and it's more about how you make people feel when they're in the space," Schenker said.

Tucked away behind Provisions Market, Bull Moose is a nod to our 26th president, Teddy Roosevelt, patron saint of Oyster Bay. In 1912, Roosevelt launched a progressive third party — nicknamed the Bull Moose party — after he failed to secure the Republican nomination for candidacy.

The club atmosphere 

Clubby and sleek, the lounge has a taxidermied moose head centered on one of the walls, doubling down on the hunting theme Roosevelt embraced in his own spaces. Add to that, a compact yet extensive collection of top-shelf spirits for shaking or stirring the perfect cocktail. With room for about 20 people, the lounge is available for members to use for their private use, based on availability.

As far as food goes, Bull Moose serves "fun, little noshes," like spring rolls, a pressed Cuban sandwich, truffled grilled cheese, oysters, and caviar service. The specialized cocktail program will feature mixologists pouring "perfect martinis, and classics like Manhattans, executed at a high level," Schenker said. There will also be specialized ice.

Membership cost and perks 

General membership, which covers two (individual and spouse), comes with a one-time initiation fee of $5,000, plus the annual fee of $1,200. It includes priority reservations at all Lush Life Group properties, access to members-only events, house accounts at all locations, and early access to limited-run culinary and retail releases. Marketed as a cultural salon and culinary concierge, there will also be producer-led tastings and educational workshops within the space.

Need someone to go grocery shopping for you? Bull Moose. Do you feel like having the gramigna from Gioia but want to sit at a certain table in 2 Spring? Bull Moose. You want a Gimme Burger food truck at your house on a Sunday for your kid's birthday party? Bull Moose. Meeting someone for business drinks and need a quiet location? Bull Moose. Mah jongg night with the girls? Bull Moose. "We have members that use it on a daily basis, and we have members that don't use it as much," Schenker said.

At press time, there were 20 members signed up, with a cap of about 50 couples for this founding round of applications. Now, with seven concepts, including The Comet Club, which also nods to the excess of Roosevelt’s Roaring Twenties — Schenker and Taglich have rebuilt the Oyster Bay dining scene with 2 Spring (and its fine-dining chef's tasting sibling, Four), Italian spot Gioia, fast casual Gimme Burger, gourmet market Provisions, as well as Provisions Bakery around the corner — the sheer variety of Lush Life restaurants may just be worth the initiation fee. You decide.

Bull Moose, 108 South St., Oyster Bay (entry is through Provisions Market). For more information or to apply for a Bull Moose membership, visit bullmooseoysterbay.com