Well, it looks like New Year's Eve at the closing Gallant Knight is a no-go, but a New Year's Eve after-party is in the works. Vintage Lounge owner Amir Ansari is set to take over the location Jan. 1, he tells CultureMap exclusively.

GK's current owners have to hand the keys to the building over on Dec 31, but the venue will live on, albeit under a different name. "It's going to be sort of the opposite of Vintage," Ansari says. "We want to keep the live music; I'm in the process of contacting all the bands, and we will remain a neighborhood bar.

"We're not switching the music or stopping serving bottled beer, we're just opening up seven days a week to cater to the food, beer and sports lovers during the week and having live music on the weekends."

Yes, you read that right — food. Ansari, who owns a small restaurant in the downtown tunnels and whose wife's family owns Martin Preferred Foods, is adding a kitchen.

Other changes, besides some cosmetic ones (Gallant Knight's owners are taking its furniture and fixtures with them) include new hours — Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 a.m. — and no regular cover charge, ever. From 2 to 4 a.m. on weekend nights, Ansari says he envisions an RSVP-only after hours place to chow down for those who prefer to be among friends.

The interior design will be handled by Ansari's brother, Davar, who is also a partner in the venture.

The name is up in the air, and Ansari says he's sponsoring a contest to dub the new spot with the reward of a $2500 gift certificate.

The deal was inked about a month ago, and while many are already mourning the closure, Ansari says "the location is remaining in friendly hands." Gallant Knight's impending closure was first reported on CultureMap.