Flyer Follies: Surf Lodge Still Wants You
It's a holiday weekend. The world's economy is crashing and your portfolio has been destroyed. The Mets and Yankees aren't in the playoffs (heh). So why not take your last $199 and go to Montauk? There's no minimum, and none of the ass hats from the summer will be there to annoy you. Because by Tuesday, your bank will be out of business and you won't have that $199 anyway, so you may as well have fun spending it.
Down By The HipsterProspect Heights is Hot
Prospect Heights is Hot Hot Hot. Or at least that's what some dashing, vivacious and skilled reporter had to say in the NY Times Travel section about the neighborhood. Please do take a gander.
Brace: Pink Elephant Heads to Brazil
The economies of Las Vegas and London are in the crapper. Who knows what is happening with Dubai? But Brazil, while caught up in the global crisis, has experienced a manufacturing boom these past few years and is hotter than ever. Now, our own Pink Elephant has decided to plant a South American Stake in Sao Paulo, bringing a little NYC sizzle to one the largest cities in the world. Will the brand play there? We aren't certain, since the culture of Brazil is well defined and not dependent on US trends. But Sao Paulo has come into its own as a global destination, and we admire the Pink crew for heading there to ride the wave.
In other Pink Elephant news, a Little Birdy tells us that they are also California dreaming, saying "heard from a source within the company that construction is already underway at the old Nationale space" in the heart of Hollywood. We always loved the multi level Hollywood club, but it was never really a dance space, so we are hard pressed to imagine Pink fitting there.
A Changing Cain
While the rumors of Cain's demise proved to be false, the planned renovations are well underway. It seems that when the Jamie, Jayma and the team couldn't lock down a new space further downtown to relocate, they embarked upon a plan to differentiate themselves from the rest of the Chelsea wanna-be's. Time for the details, with a Little Birdy writing:
Cain has a new creative director with a lot in store for when Cain re-opens on October 29th. As far as the renovation of the venue, the rock that was the DJ booth has been broken into pieces and removed. The room is now one level and the tables are now slightly larger and a tad more spread out giving more room for girls to dance on tables.
Green Green Greenhouse
New details about Jon B.'s soon to open Greenhouse just keep pouring in. This time - it's visual. A LB forwarded us the press kit for the soon to open space, and if the name and LEED hype surrounding the space aren't enough, then the sheer green-ness of Greenhouse comes through via the renderings. Spread across 2 levels, the Soho club will accommodate 600 guests, features 3 bars on the ground level and 2 additional ones in the lower level (pictured above). Each floor will have a DJ booth, and there is a 200 SF performance space on the main level, just in case on of Jon's high profile friends feels like making it happen.
Why Yes, The LES is Dunzo
Image Courtesy of Curbed
What happens when someone asks a question that has already been answered years ago? We were confronted this very situation today when GoaG posed the question "Is the LES Dunzo?" At first, we asked ourselves if it was April Fools Day, or maybe dumb rhetorical question day, or any day when it is OK to ruminate on inane question. It turns out it isn't - so we must assume it is actually a serious query. GoaG says:
We have already gotten more than one email from very “in the know” New Yorkers that insist that the LES (Lower East Side), including the Bowery and her hip hotel and bars are OVER. As in DUNZO. At least for the “cool kids” of the city that refuse to follow trends.
She continues:
My heart broke a little upon hearing this news. Apotheke in Chinatown was the #1 spot of our well-researched “where the cool kids are” post, and I have yet to go see the Aussie Bartender Albert in action…
We assume she is referring to Albert Trummer, who is originally from Vienna. This of course, makes him Austrian. Oops.
Greenhouse Gets Set
We've been seeing a ridiculous amount of chatter across the Birdy Wire about the pending opening of Greenhouse, Jon B's long in development nightclub that is LEED certified. Popcorn! Greenhouse will take over the former Club Shelter space at
150 Varick Street , and according to the press release:
Greenhouse is located at 150 Varick Street , in SoHo , and is designed to be a unique “green” experience. One of Greenhouse’s most spectacular attributes is the transparent ceiling fixture, compromised of over 5,000 individually hung crystals, which is designed to emulate a rolling landscape. The bars will be clear recycled glass panorama designs, which will display lush natural scenes. With two floors and two separate sound systems, Greenhouse offers multiple VIP sections both upstairs and down, and a raised performance stage and backstage section.
We like that there are multiple VIP sections, because there are some VIP's we just are more I than, and we don't want to be in their section. According to a Little Birdy, the "The space looks pretty raw at the moment" and "Barry from Stereo is involved in some capacity (think he raised capital
to buy points from Jon and then resold them to his investors). Jon B.
has been fishing this deal for a long time." What a dynamic duo! They are gunning for a late October opening, but early November is our call.
Garden of Ono's End Date
Speaking of Halloween, a Little Birdy writes "The Garden of ONO closes forever on halloween this year. It then gets
hit with a wreckingball and turned into a new nightclub (name pending)". We checked in with an inside Birdy who is rumored to be involved and responded "when there are details to speak of, I promise I will tell you. But as
of yet there are none. I promise. People are talking and they have
Zero clue of the real Truth." It will be interesting to see what is in store for this prime space in what we can call Meatpacking 3.0. There are a few of the old nightlife establishments hanging on, and we aren't sure if a repurposed nightclub will really fly. Is the City really interested in another 1OAK, or is the space best used as a four star restaurant that attracts tourists early and wanna-be scenesters late? We will know soon. As to the Halloween party, well, if it really is the last night, it seems like a costume affair is heck of way to wrap thing's up.
Dear DBTH: Happy Halloween
It's the beginning of October, but a reader already wants to make plans for the end of the month, asking:
Could you recommend any good parties for Halloween?
It will be tough to top last year's blowout at the Bowery Hotel (who's organizers are still looking for a venue), and we have heard about some big things happening out of town. Is it too early to make plans, or do you already have something in mind? Let's hear about it.
Is Dubai Recession Proof
They were two interesting reports from the past few days covering Dubai, the glittering jewel of the Middle East. The NY Times reasons "Some of Dubai’s more extravagant building projects — the ever-bigger malls, islands and indoor ski slopes — are likely to be dropped if they do not already have financing lined up, bankers say. The credit crisis could also reduce demand from buyers, who will have a harder time getting mortgages." But then low and behold, the very next day Dubai based companies announced plans to build a new city and the Nakheel Tower, which will be the world's tallest building. Do these plans reinforce the notion that Dubai is recession proof? Or will the credit crisis crush the Emirate's dream of a creating a lasting center of finance and luxury in the Gulf?
JE Goes Online
John "JE" Engelbert has released an avalanche of ridiculous press releases recently, covering everything from Belmar to Bottle Service. Other than mastering the art of the email blast, JE also has himself a nifty website, which comes stacked with a list of services that JE can provide. Since we are planning a small dinner event, we have retained JE to oversee Culinary Selection, Decor and Themes, Meet and Greet our guests and to Bring the "Right Crowd". We just know that it's going to be the greatest dinner event ever.