When we visited Lena's back in 1999, she was plagued by a common ailment that we see in short-lived Philly bars: spend boatloads of cash on the design of the bar and they will come. Well, maybe this works for a place like The Continental where the beautiful people are hired to work the tables. Elsewhere, the proletariat is looking to be entertained and if you can offer good food and a reason to hang around afterwards - you've got it made.

As you walk along the 200 Block of Market Street in Downtown Philadelphia, you'll notice a building with distinctive metal girders protruding from the second floor. Your first impression will be that the place is under construction, but don't let the façade fool you, Bluezette's is very much open for business (see photo on the right).

The sharp angles and stainless steel construction that comprises the exterior, is mirrored on the interior of Bluezette's. This latest reincarnation of 246 Market Street retains most of Lena's interior design, but with the addition of a nouveau Cajun menu and angel winged lights.

On the first floor of Bluezette is a small bar, café tables in front and a small dining area in the rear. Moving upstairs, a larger dining area occupies the back room. On the Market Street side of the second floor is a large bar (seats about 15) and an area mostly filled with tables and chairs. This area is particularly nice because there is a glass wall running from the floor to the ceiling that overlooks Market Street. The photo on the right shows what the second floor looks like from Market Street.  

Up on the second floor, a haphazard cluster of about 100 frosted lights bulbs dangle from the ceiling. The insulated wires that power each bulb are hidden by a set of angel wings. It's a very original and interesting lesson in interior design.  

Not to be outdone, the Bluezette bathrooms take the genre of interior decorating with stainless steel to a new level. The door to both the men's and women's rooms are stainless with a fogged up porthole mounted at eye level. Both the toilet and sink are stainless steel. The stainless wash basin is mounted to an inch thick glass countertop. It makes you feel like you're in a futuristic bathroom, spaceship or a submarine, I'm not sure which. If anything, it's certainly original.

The bar stools are an interesting twist on the vernacular. The stools would remind you of old fashioned tractor seats. Essentially they are shinny curved metallic plates, shaped  to accommodate each cheek of your tush. Aesthetically unappealing; they are hard to "negotiate" and appear uncomfortable. But once you've successfully mounted-up, they're not that bad on the bum.

Bluezette's offers a couple of drafts for your imbibing pleasure: Brooklyn Lager, Beamish Stout. Hard liquor selections can get a bit pricey. A snifter of Couvasier Cognac will set you back about $15, which is a bit disproportionate to the price of their pints beer (~$4.50 a pint).

Although no posted dress code, you'll want to leave the jeans at home.  Wearing anything less than khaki's would be doing Bluezette an injustice. The crowd ranges from mid-20somethings on up to people in their 50's. Bluezette is more geared towards hanging out and listening to an eclectic mix of motown and Bob Marley tunes.

The industrial look of this bar makes it a unique experience and a definite visit if you're in the mood for some Cajun cuisine.  Down the street from Bluezette is Marmont and across the street is Lucy's Hat Shop. About 1 1/2  blocks away are The Five Spot and Envy.  The close proximity of bars is great for the consumer, but agonizing for the bar owner.

Time will ultimately tell if this newcomer to Olde City will succeed. We just hope that the new owners don't fall into the same trouble that Lena's did. I'd hate to see that cool façade go dark again.

A shot of the distinctive girders and glass enclosed 2nd floor that make Bluezette a unique site from Market Street.