2009: The Nightlife Year in Review

Compiled by Gamal Hennessy

Every week, New York Nights strives to explore the business and culture of New York nightlife. If you have missed any of the over 45 newsletters posted in 2009, click on any of the links below to get caught up on the City That Never Sleeps.

If you want to stay connected to the nightlife news covered by New York Nights, sign up for our free newsletter. We look forward to offering you new information, insights and inspiration in 2010.

I’ll see you at the bar.

Have fun.
G

January 2009
The NYN Insider for January 13th, 2009
The Inauguration Issue
The Super Bowl Issue

February 2009

The Safety Issue
The Spring Awakening Issue
The Native New Yorker Issue
The Nightlife District Issue

March 2009

The Balanced Budget Issue
The Interview Issue
The Tax Scam Issue
The Joy of Drinking Issue

April 2009

The Smoking Ban Issue
The Bottle Service Issue
The Corruption Issue
The Jobs and Dating Issue

May 2009

The Nightlife Death Issue
The Social Issue
The Dance Parade Issue
The Summer Kickoff Issue

June 2009

The NPC Issue
The New Bar Issue
The Nightlife Murder Issue
The Health of New York Nightlife
The Pride 2009 Issue

July 2009

The Size Matters Issue
The New Trends Issue
The Struggle for 2 A.M. Issue

August 2009

The Single Life Issue
The Next Big Thing Issue
The Liquor Reform Issue
The Alcohol Abuse Issue

September 2009

The Taz Pagan Issue
The NYC Primary Issue
The Reputation Issue
The Female Safety Issue

October 2009

Keys to a Good Club Night
The Political Force of Nightlife
The New Venue Issue
The Daniel Squadron Issue

November 2009

The Election Day Issue
The Liquor License Issue
The Motivation Issue
The Thanksgiving Issue

December 2009

The New Year's Eve Preview Issue
NYN Insider for December 14, 2009
New York Nights Insider: The First Look Issue

Female Safety in the Nightclub Environment

By Gamal Hennessy

There are 65 million entries into nightlife venues every year. The vast majority of the patrons who go into our bars, clubs and lounges make it home safely every night. Unfortunately, on rare occasions, predators and fanatics prey on the isolated and the defenseless. The results are terrible for the victims and negative for the industry as a whole. The recent case of Luis Zambrano highlights both the need for awareness in an adult environment and offers guidance on the best way for ladies to protect themselves at night.

Last week, Inside Edition ran a story about a man named Luis Zambrano. Mr. Zambrano went to Marquee, isolated a 23 year old girl, dragged her out of the club in full view of the crowd and the operators, took her back to his apartment and raped her. Because the entire incident was caught on Marquee’s security cameras, Zambrano was arrested and pled guilty to kidnapping and rape charges.

Experts state that this contained several elements that predators look for. First, the victim was separated from her friends. Second, the victim was either drunk when Zambrano met her or she accepted drinks from him that were laced with GHB or similar substances. This combination gives predators the ability to overpower and move a victim out of the venue. If she is too drunk or drugged, she’s not conscious enough to resist or even speak. Other random patrons can’t tell if the man carrying a woman out of a club is her boyfriend or her rapist. The bouncers can’t tell if they are best friends, if they just met or if they never met. The predator preys on animosity and isolation.

There is no practical way for women to alter or eliminate predators or fanatics in nightlife. It is often very difficult to even identity a potential threat in the chaotic environment of a club. But there are five steps that women can take to deter and avoid assaults while they are out; group movement, designated watchers, deterrence images, retained awareness and responsible indulgence.

Group Movement: Lisa Friel is an ADA for the sex crimes unit in Manhattan. She has experience with cases of sexual assaults that begin in clubs and end in the predator’s apartment or car. She advocates that women use the concept of group movement, meaning that the ladies go out together, remain in the same general area and leave together. This prevents any one woman from being isolated and abused. Ms. Friel isn’t saying you shouldn’t dance, meet boys, exchange numbers and generally have a good time. She isn’t saying that the whole night should be one huge exercise in cockblocking. She is saying that there is strength in numbers when it comes to preventing sexual assault.

Designated Watcher: Ms. Friel also supports the use of a designated watcher. Similar to a designated driver, the watcher drinks less than the rest of the group and makes sure that no one falls unconscious, gets overcome by a group of fanatics, or stumbles out of the club at 4:15 without any idea of where they are or how they are getting home. Again, this isn’t an invitation for a wet blanket to play morality cop and ruin everyone’s night, but if you go out in a group and the whole group gets blind drunk, then the security of the group isn’t that effective.

Deterrence Image: If you are separated from your group, or if you are the designated watcher, you will need a way to drive off people who might cause problems. Sexual criminals in nightlife are similar to predators in nature. When choosing someone to attack, they often choose the person who appears the least likely to protect themselves. They target the weakest of the herd. In a nightlife context that means they will target people who are drunk, preoccupied, confused, or who project weakness through non verbal signals in their body language. Victimology experts Chuck Hustmyre and Jay Dixit suggest that attackers are less likely to choose targets that are organized in their movement, confident in their posture and comfortable in their surroundings are less likely to be singled out. The evidence supports this theory. Zambrano didn’t target the women who were full of energy and dancing around him. He went after the one passed out on the couch.

Retained Awareness: The Zambrano crime also shows that it is very hard to get out of a situation that you are not aware of. If you are surprised, caught off guard or blindsided, you are more likely compound your problems. If you’re going to get so drunk that you don’t know where you are, you are more likely to wind up someplace that you don’t want to be. A stumbling drunk identifies herself to every fanatic in the room as an amateur and a potential victim. Maintaining awareness of your surroundings as you party is an integral part of being a nightlife native. You can have a good time and keep your eyes open, but you have to make that choice up front.

Responsible Indulgence: The basic concept that women can use to protect themselves is responsible indulgence. It isn’t about being afraid to go out or going out looking for trouble. It is about knowing your limits and being familiar with your environment so you can deal with a potential problem if it arises. There is such a thing as too much to drink. There are activities that aren’t worth the risk. You can enjoy everything nightlife has to offer and still remember it in the morning. Predators seek out nightlife amateurs and avoid nightlife natives because the amateur is easy prey. As more women become natives, sexual assaults against women will be even more atypical.

Sexuality is at the core of the nightlife experience. Women are the linchpin to the majority of nightlife business and culture. But that doesn’t mean that they need to feel uncomfortable, threatened or afraid when they go out. It does mean that they need to take some precautions to deter the Zambrono’s of the world.

Have fun.

G

Bounce Deuce, Home, Guesthouse and Der Schwarze Kolner

The New York Nights Club Report for July 30, 2009
Complied by Gamal Hennessy

Opening
Der Schwarze Kolner
(Thirllist)
Brooklyn gets a new beer garden to quench our thirsts

Closed
Bounce Deuce
(New York Magazine)
An East Village sports bar fails to make the cut.

Home/ Guest House
(Good Night Mr. Lewis)
A pillar of Outer Chelsea collapses under the weight of gentrification.

Have fun.
G

Zagat Takes the Pulse of New York Nightlife

By Gamal Hennessy

The first name in restaurant reviews moves into its 40th year with its annual nightlife guide today. In addition to a broad based look at venues in all five boroughs, the book looks at the trends emerging in both patron behavior and new venues. While some of the data reflects the impact of the recession, the overall picture shows that New York remains a prime location for nightlife.

Zagat started in 1979 as a collection of reviews for New York restaurants. Over the next four decades the company has expanded to dozens of cities and offers books and websites on shopping, dining and nightlife. The 2009/10 Zagat Nightlife Book used a survey of 6,000 nightlife patrons to determine that while people have changed their behavior because of the economy, nightlife as an industry has proven resilient to the downturn.

According to Zagat, New York City currently has more than 1,300 nightlife venues, including 100 new venues added in the past year. This finding is supported by our own Club Report that has continued to track new venues opening almost every week in spite of the economy. While there is no mention of how many venues were lost in 2008, the number of new venues is remarkable considering the economy and the stiff competition for drinking dollars. When you look at the contraction of other local industries in the past year, the Zagat data shows the strength of nightlife as an economic force in the city.

When it comes to the behavior of nightlife patrons, there is a definite shift toward less extravagant evenings. People are opting to go to less expensive venues, ordering fewer drinks when they go to their normal venues, or going out about half as much as they used to in an effort to save money. There was no information on the impact on bottle service, but anecdotal conversations I’ve had with promoters and other operators back this up this finding. In 2007-8 the average spent per person on liquor used to be $50-75 per night, now that number is down to $25-40.

The Nightlife Book also tracked other trends. It found that rising areas of popularity for nightlife include LES, Harlem, Park Slope and Williamsburg. It found that more new venues are underground speakeasies as opposed to the rooftop bars that have been in vogue for the past two years. It also found that the speakeasy trend is supporting a parallel rise in mixology in both new and established venues.

The 2009/10 Nightlife Book is available today and www.zagat.com has updates that can be delivered to your handheld.

Have fun.
Gamal

Angels and Kings, Avenue, The Gates and Le Souk

The New York Nights Club Report for June 4, 2009

Compiled by Gamal Hennessy

Opening
Avenue
(Urban Daddy)
The successful Marquee crew bring a new lounge to Chelsea

Re-Opening

Le Souk
(The Villager)
A judge decides to give the Alphabet City lounge another liquor license.

Closed

Angels and Kings
(People)
Pete Wentz’s East Village bar was closed for serving liquor to minors again

Review
The Gates
Address: 290 8th Avenue
Website: http://www.thegatesnyc.com/default.asp

Space: 3
The interior design of the Gates is upscale and luxurious. Everything from the bar fixtures to the seating looks expensive. The minimal space is maximized for bottle service and being seen. The physical location of the space is isolated from other nightlife venues. It’s between the West Chelsea strip and the Flatiron venues which will either raise its exclusive status or hinder its attraction for club hoppers.

Service: 4
The doorman, host and bartenders were quick, courteous and professional. But keep in mind I saw the place during a press party, so everyone might have just been on their best behavior to avoid bad reviews. Still, I’ve been to press parties will poor service, so we’ll give credit where it’s due.

Sound: 3
The music selection of the evening seemed to be Top 40 hits from the 50’s and 60’s. While some of the men in the crowd might have been alive or recognized this music, I’m sure almost none of the twenty something women in attendance knew any of those songs. Having said that, the DJ worked the system enough to fill the room but not too much to keep people from talking…and he scored points for being different.

Cost: 2
I paid $16 for a Black and Coke. I’m under the impression that all the drinks cost $16, no matter how simple or elaborate.

Overall: 3 out of 5
The Gates might succeed as a high end lounge if enough the patrons want to get away from the other club areas and enjoy opulence behind an impressive façade.

Have fun.
G

Black Betty, Catch 22 and Littlefield

The NYN Club Report for May 28, 2009
Complied by Gamal Hennessy

Opening

Littlefield
(Thrillist)

Park Slope gets a new art/ music space…

Closing

Black Betty
(Examiner)

Williamsburg loses one its staple music spaces…

Closed

Catch 22
(New York Nights)
Nine months after it opens, the Flatiron lounge fizzles out…

Have fun.
Gamal

Cooper Square Hotel, Warren 77 and Mixology Degrees

The NYN Club Report for May 19, 2009
Compiled by Gamal Hennessy

Opening
Warren 77
(Urban Daddy)
A sports bar that isn’t worried about tonight’s game opens in TriBeCa.

Conflict
Cooper Square Hotel
(Curbed)
Local residents have decided to disrupt lounge patrons with a bull horn. Now that’s classy.

Recession Effect
Rise of Mixologists
(Wall Street Journal)
Diego and Zagat team up to train unemployed I-bankers to be the next generation of bartenders.

Bell House, Hudson Terrace and Scores

The New York Nights Club Report for May 13, 2009

Opening
Bell House
(NY1)
The brains behind Union Hall bring a spot to Brooklyn with something for everyone.

Reopening
Scores
(Good Night Mr. Lewis)
West Chelsea gets its strip club back.

Update
Imette St. Guillen Case
New York Times
The murder case for the woman allegedly killed by a bouncer began this week…

Review
Hudson Terrace
Address: 621 West 46th Street
Website: http://www.hudsonterracenyc.com/

Space: 5 The rooftop lounge across the street from Pacha is a good sized open air space designed for mingling and drinking. There isn’t a distinct dance floor, but there is enough space for spontaneous gyrations when you’ve had enough to drink.

Service: 4 HT is exclusive, which means the door is tougher than most of the spots in the city. Unlike other exclusive spots, the staff can be friendly, courteous and professional even when they are rejecting you.

Sound: 3 The music vacillated erratically from chill out to house to Top 40 to 80’s all in the space of 45 minutes and the volume was a little too high considering the focus of the crowd was mingling and flirting as opposed to dancing. The DJ knew his trade, I just wish he made up his mind.

Cost: 3 A Jack and Coke cost me $13 on a Tuesday night. Plan accordingly.

Overall Score: 3.75 out of 5

If you want a piece of the Hamptons or SoBe without the trip or the cost, come here. The transplant is a success.

The Politics of Dancing

By Gamal Hennessy

This Saturday marks the third annual New York Dance Parade. The festival is a celebration of all forms of dance, the cultures that shape them, and contributions they make to the diversity of New York City. It is also a grass roots attempt to expose the double standards that nightlife faces, specifically the law that makes it illegal to dance in most New York clubs.

Since the 1926, there has been a New York City law that makes it illegal for a bar or club to have more than a few people dancing to music unless it had a license for that activity. The reasoning for this law comes from the social and political climate of the era. The 1920’s saw a rise in the then perceived evils of women’s liberation and interracial dating. Jazz clubs were seen as a flashpoint for these trends. The law gave the powers that be the tools to shut down the venues that promoted behavior that they didn’t like. Luckily, the law didn’t stop the flourishing of jazz, greater rights and independence for women or interracial dating, but it stayed on the books for almost 80 years before it was enforced again.

The Giuliani administration began to use the law to shut down clubs under the pretense of avoiding disasters like the Happy Land Social Club fire. His real aim was to shut venues that didn’t conform to his “quality of life” crusade. As it always does, nightlife found creative ways to get around the law and keep butts moving. Venues used lookouts, warning lights and DJ’s would instantly switch from dance music to soft rock whenever the ‘dance police’ were spotted in the area.

Depending on whom you ask, when Bloomberg came into office he either tried to repeal the cabaret laws or use it to permanently roll back the closing time of New York nightlife from 4 AM to 1 AM. Nightlife advocates, who lobbied for several years to have the law taken off the books, rejected the 2004 proposal because of the connection between dancing and closing times. A subsequent legal challenge by grass roots organizations like the Dance Parade and Metropolis in Motion failed when a judge ruled that nightlife dancing is not protected form of speech under the 1st Amendment. The law currently remains in place. Out of the 1,100 nightlife spots in New York, only 200 currently have a cabaret license.

The cabaret law is a prime example of attacking culture and expression in the name of public safety. It is arbitrary and nonsensical to conclude that music is a protected art form, but dancing is not protected. It is hypocritical and pretentious to see ballet and ballroom dancing as high art but reject salsa and break dancing as artless. It is repressive and inhumane to require a license for something as fundamental as the expressive movement of the human body. While there are issues of overcrowding, ventilation, emergency exits and other security measures in certain clubs, prohibiting dance doesn’t solve any of these problems. People can be packed into a bar tighter than a rush hour subway without dancing. If you try to stop people from dancing, you will not stop overcrowding. You will not make anyone safer. You won’t even stop people from dancing. The only goal that can be reached by forcing a cabaret license on us is undermining one of the pillars that make New York a world class city.

Have fun.
Gamal

Hudson Terrace, The Gates and Plumm

The New York Nights Club Report for April 23, 2009
Compiled by Gamal Hennessy

Opening
Hudson Terrace
(Thrillist)
Drink specials and a Hudson Riverview opens up on 46th Street.

The Gates
(Urban Daddy)
Ultra high end lounging drops into Chelsea

Very Closed
Plumm
(New York Observer)
A judge has ordered management out of the Meatpacking venue due to unpaid rent.

Have fun.
Gamal

675 Bar, Mayahuel and Plumm

The New York Nights Club Report for April 15, 2009

Compiled by Gamal Hennessy

Opening
Mayahuel
(Urban Daddy)
A New York speakeasy with a Mexican twist opens in the East Village on May 1st.

675 Bar
(New York Magazine)
The former bottle service friendly Level V will be reincarnated as a not so bottle friendly bar.

Closed
Plumm
(New York Nights)
Man about town Carnell Hayes gave us a tip about legal troubles for this Meatpacking Lounge.

If you have information about a new spot or a spot that’s closing or any information about the changing nightlife landscape, drop us a line and send us a link. We will share it with the world.

Have fun.
Gamal

The Right Side of the Bottle

By Gamal Hennessy

There has been a lot written about how the practice of bottle service has become a scourge on nightlife culture. I know this is true because I’ve written quite a few of those articles myself. The recession has exposed a weakness in the business model that might put some operators out of business. But bottles are still flowing and some venues are thriving from it. So what is it that makes bottle service work for some venues and not work for others? A recent study suggests that it’s the patrons that hold the key to long term success.

Anita Elberse, Ryan Barlow and Sheldon Wong are students at Harvard Business School. They recently published a study called Marquee: The Business of Nightlife where they document the financial success of this long running venue and what goes on behind the scenes to make the venue work. One of the many interesting aspects of the study was the breakdown of Marquee’s bottle service clients. While this group is relatively small (40% of the patrons on any given night) they accounted for 80% of the revenue. And while any one could theoretically purchase bottle service, there were three main groups that Marquee provided this service to. There are celebrities who are so famous that they only have one name (think Diddy, Bono, and Paris). There are Upper East Side socialites who inspired the characters in The Devil Wears Prada, and Gossip Girl. Then there are the professionals who recently acquired wealth and were looking for a place to spend it. The last group has dwindled significantly, but between these three groups Marquee made more than two million dollars in their third year of operation.

The other point of interest in this dynamic is the time it took to cultivate the relationships that made bottle service work. The owners of Marquee, Noah Tepperberg and Jason Strauss claim to have spent half their lives developing relationships in the nightlife industry, interacting with potential clients in New York, Miami, Los Angeles and Las Vegas, and using Marquee as a national concierge service for established bottle service clientele. Their main focus was on the client who could consistently frequent the venue over several years, not the stock broker who would spend $100,000 in six months and then burn out. Based on the Harvard study, Marquee’s success is based on a decade and a half of work, not a flashy gimmick.

Marquee connects with people who have money to spend over an extended period of time. Among other things that they do, that practice has kept them running much longer than the average New York venue. Places that try to force bottle service on patrons who don’t have black Amex cards probably won’t last as long in this economy. And patrons who don’t have a name like Bono might want to think twice before trying to live this lifestyle. A prominent promoter I talked to last week explained it very well. ‘I don’t tell my customers what they should do with their money, but maybe the guys coming in from Newark who make $40,000 a year shouldn’t be spending $600 on a bottle of vodka. I think they can have just as much fun running a tab at the bar.’

Have fun.
G

Above Allen, Private Loft and Santos Party House

The New York Nights Club Report for April 1, 2009


Opening
Private Loft
(Thrillist)
Strippers unite to create an alternative erotic entertainment location

Review
Above Allen (Inside the Thompson Hotel)

Location: 190 Allen Street(Corner of Allen and East Houston )

Space: 4

In any other hotel this lounge would be an after thought that guests of the hotel probably wouldn’t use. But with nice views of uptown and two balconies an otherwise average spot becomes pretty nice.

Service: 4

I expected a much more surly and obnoxious service. I didn’t get that at all. They might not have been nice, but they were professional and sometimes you can’t ask for more than that.

Sound: 3

I didn’t get the impression that AA was designed for constant performances from DJ’s or musicians. They have space to set up a DJ system and they allowed the DJs free reign on the night we went, but don’t expect that every night.

Price: 3
I paid about $12 per drink, which is pretty normal for a hotel bar but it might not be what you want to pay on a Wednesday night

Overall: 3.5 out of 5

AA is a cool spot for a little conversation and a little skyline watching, but you can skip it if the two doormen give you a hard time.

Review
Santos Party House
Location: 96 Lafayette St (Corner of Lafayette and Walker)
Link: http://www.santospartyhouse.com/

Space: 5

Santos has taken a large space in Chinatown and tries to make the most of it. VIP areas are available that don’t limit the dance space on either floor and the multiple bar set up means you don’t have to wait long for a drink

Service: 4

If you’ve spent any time at Crobar, APT, or Lotus then you’ll recognize a lot of the staff. I got the impression that all of them are laid back, professional and maybe just a little bit jaded, but that won’t stop you from having a good time.

Sound: 4

People go to Santos to dance to old school hip hop. Because Q-Tip is attached to the spot they lean heavily on tracks from him and his contemporaries. My only caution is that sometimes the DJ goes off on a obscure tangent that knocks you off your rhythm.

Price: 3

Friday night prices hover between $12 and $15. If you work up a sweat on the dance floor, quenching your thirst can get expensive in the long run.

Overall: 4 out of 5

It is easy to go to Santos and have a good time. If you can dance, it’s great. If you can’t dance you can still bob your head and appreciate the music

Have fun

Gamal

Cooper Square, CDB and Scores

The Club Report for March 25th 2009

Opening
Cooper Square Hotel Bar
(New York Magazine)
A new pre-game spot opens near St. Marks Place

The Cabin Down Below
(Urban Daddy)
The Lower East Side gets a speakeasy complete with patio and really close to a pizzeria.

Change of Ownership
Penthouse Boss Buys Scores
(New York Observer)
The adult entertainment empire swallows up the troubled East Side strip club

Have fun.
Gamal

The Sally Shan Interview

New York Nights caught rising nightlife icon Sally Shan between parties to talk about creating unique experiences, standing out from the crowd and how promoters get such a bad rep...

Vital StatisticsName: Sally Shan
Group Affiliation: Solo
Hometown: New York, NY
Latest Project: World Domination
Next New York Performance: To Be Announced

NYN: I've heard being a promoter is like being a real estate broker. Do you agree with that analogy?

SS: I don't usually think about it like that, but I guess there are similarities. Both of us act as a bridge. I connect the patrons looking for a place to go and the clubs looking for people to come and party, brokers connect buyer and sellers. We both take care of a lot of the details behind the scenes so our 'clients' don't have to worry about them. And both a good promoter and a good broker can give you a much better experience than if you did things on your own.

NYN: You haven't been doing this long, but tell me the perception people normally have about promoters.

SS: I think the perception that people sometimes get about promoters is that they care more about numbers and email lists than taking care of their people. The biggest complaint I've heard about promoters is that they make going out more painful than it needs to be. First, they'll send you an email about a party and give you a great deal on the phone when you contact them. Then when you and your friends get to the club, they’re not there and you can’t get in. You were so excited to go out and you drove all the way to the club and you’re embarrassed that your friends are standing out in the street. All of a sudden the great deal they offered you turns into a really expensive night that is nothing near what you were looking for, but you take it because you feel like you have no choice. I’ve been on that side of the equation so I know exactly what NOT to do.

NYN: There are a lot of people out there promoting. How do you set yourself apart?

SS: I think there are two parts to standing out. First, you have to connect with the people you are entertaining. You’ve got to try as much as possible to interact with them beyond just getting them into the club. I can’t possibly call everyone I work with, but things like Facebook keeps me connected to them through updates and announcements and things.

The other thing that helps you stand out is offering a different experience. I’ve seen promoters try to sell the same bottles in the same clubs with the same music every week for months. I try to have different types of themes and invite different types of people to different venues every week. That way people have something new to look forward to and I don’t get bored either.

NYN: How does a person tell a good promoter from a poor one?

SS: A lot of it is word of mouth and referrals, so I guess it’s similar to a real estate broker that way too. If I throw a party and people have a great time, they tell their friends and post the pictures online and start asking about the next party. That encourages other people to contact me to help them create the next party experience they want to have. At the end of the day we’re providing a service, a unique experience, so the best marketing I can have is doing a great job for all the people on my list.

NYN: What kind of work do you have to do behind the scenes to prep for a party?

SS: There are several different components that go into a great party. It doesn't work if you just update your Facebook page, show up and get drunk. There is a creative element where you develop the theme or the vision behind the event. Then there is a coordination element where you work with the venue to nail down the specifics of what is going to happen. There is a marketing element where you let people know about the party and figure out who is going. Then there’s the execution, where you take care of people and make sure they have a great time.

NYN: You had a birthday recently. What advice would you give someone looking for a party?

SS: Well it’s great if you have an idea of what you want, that way it’s easier for the promoter to give you what you’re looking for. If there’s a certain type of experience, music, vibe or space you want to be in, let the promoter know. I have relationships with some of the best venues in New York so if you come to me with some idea of what you want, I’ll make sure you get it.

Have fun.

G

Photo by Stephen Shadrach

Minibar, Café Wha? and Cutting Room

The New York Nights Club Report for March 5, 2009

Compiled by Gamal Hennessy

Controversy
Café Wha?
(PR-Inside)
The underground bar that helped Dylan and Hendrix rise is being sued for performing the songs of Dylan and Hendrix…

Stillborn
Cutting Room
(Tribeca Trib)
The former Flatiron performance space is delayed because of violence at Deco…

Review
Mini Bar (Downstairs at Delicatessen)
Location: 54 Prince Street (Corner of Prince and Mulberry)
Link: http://www.delicatessennyc.com/

Space: 4
It’s a nice spot for a one on one affair, and the skylight will be a big hit in the summer, but they don’t call it ‘mini’ for nothing.

Service: 5
All the food from the upstairs restaurant is available downstairs and the attentive staff is always close by.

Sound: 3
Mini Bar has the right kind of music for a laid back lounge, it just needed a little more energy…

Price: 3
The food prices are very reasonable. You won’t even remember that you’re in SoHo until you start ordering the specialty drinks…

Overall: 3.75 out of 5
Mini Bar is a good place to go for an intimate get together and a solid addition to the current trend of hidden, out of the way lounges.

Have fun.
G

A&A, White Slab Palace, and Pulse

The New York Nights Club Report for February 21st, 2009

Compiled by Gamal Hennessy

Coming Soon
Abe & Arthur
(Grub Street)
The minds behind Tenjune plan to reopen the doors to the former Lotus space in the spring…

Opening
White Slab Palace
(Urban Daddy)
A Scandinavian lounge slides into the Lower East Side…

Pulse
(Thrillist)
Move your Guitar Hero set out of your apartment and into this midtown lounge.

Bar 108, Woodson and Ford, and Socialista

The New York Nights Club Report for January 28th, 2009

Compiled by Gamal Hennessy

Opening
Bar 108
(Thrillist)
A high end sports bar opens downtown just in time for the big game…

Woodson and Ford
(Urban Daddy)
A new private speakeasy that might actually be private…

Closing
Socialista
(New York Post)
One of the early entrants in the exclusive downtown speakeasy category is closing its doors…

Opinion
Super Bowl Spots
(Barfly)
A short list of spaces to watch a very long game…

City Winery, Casa La Femme and White Star

NYN Club Report for January 15th, 2009
Compiled by Gamal Hennessy

Opening
City Winery
(Thrillist)
A huge wine bar performance space is opening downtown

Casa La Femme
(Urban Daddy)
The West Village gets its own Persian lounge, complete with belly dancers.

White Star
(Urban Daddy)
The minds behind Milk and Honey reinvent the LES Lounge

Correction
Rainbow Room
(Bloomberg)
Last week the iconic space was set to close. The rent dispute isn’t over, but the doors will stay open for now.

Have fun.
G

Sapphire, Rainbow Room and My Open Bar

NYN Club Report for January 9th, 2009
Compiled by Gamal Hennessy

Opening
Sapphire
(New York Magazine)
A new strip club rises in West Chelsea to replace Scores.

Closed
The Rainbow Room
(Huffington Post)
The iconic Rockefeller Center bar and event space falls to the recession

Resources
MyOpenBar.Com
(New York Nights)
If you’re tired of bottle service and would like to try free booze, look here.

Have fun.
G