Movida Movin to Vegas

Sammy Sass may no longer (or never been) involved with Noah and Jason's upcoming Lavo restaurant and nightclub at the Palazzo, but our LB was correct in Sammy's interest in Vegas. We just got word that Sass will be opening a branch of his London club Movida in the Palazzo. This follows the current Vegas strategy of trying to lure big spenders from Europe as the American economy hits the shitter. Especially with the slowdown in tourism and spending in Vegas. We always say the more the merrier, but Lavo and Movida going head-to-head? This should be interesting.

Capital Markets Bring Club Pain

You know how NYC clubs such as Cain and Pink Elephant have been trying to find locations in London? Of course you do. Unfortunately things may have hit a snag. Due to the weak value of the dollar and London's notoriously expensive key costs, it may not be financially feasible to open in the current mecca of international nightlife. According to one Little Birdy, "these clubs and operators have very strong, proven concepts that has a lot of investors interested. The numbers just aren't working right now." That sucks for London and the players, but could potentially be a boon for NYC, as experienced operators and their overseas investors may possibly look for opportunities in the domestic real estate market. Obviously, we'll keep you posted.

Noah and Jason Get Sassy

A bit of news from the desert. We had previously heard rumors of another mega project from Noah and Jason at the new Palazzo in Las Vegas. Originally, it seemed that they would try to bringing the Stanton Social concept out west with Marc Packer and Rich Wolf and then attach a mega-club and pool, just like their ridiculously successful Tao operation. Apparently, these plans have been scrapped for something much grander and dare we say, international. We'll let our Little Birdy tell you the rest:

A friend in Monaco is telling me that Samy Sass, from Sass Cafe in Monaco famed is partnering with Noah and Jason to do a Sass Cafe concept in Vegas that is restaurant, lounge, club, pool, etc. This would be in line with comments they have made in the Vegas press about opening a 'vibe dining' concept. Further, the word out of London is that the guys from Mo*vida (the hottest club in London that ripped off the name from NY) are doing something in Vegas, but nobody knows where. Turns out Samy is partners with them in Mo*vida. So, my conclusion is Noah and Jason are up to something big with some major operators from Monaco and Vegas. Not just big, but so big that there is a complete gag order on the whole thing and no info available anywhere.

Well, except for right here of course. So much for your gag order fellas. This partnership represents globalization at its finest, and follows Strategic Group's process of taking on partners to minimize risk and keep their capital contribution to a minimum. Smart move, especially with the tightening of the credit markets and weak dollar, to bring in some global players who have shied away from Vegas in the past. Will it work? Only time will tell.

Pink Elephant Goes Blimey

The hits just keep on coming. A Little Birdy just hit us on the wire with some big news, saying "David Cabo and Shawn Kolodny are in London as we speak looking at spaces for the Pink Elephant." That's real time information folks. With Bungalow 8 already open and Cain looking to close their deal, it makes sense that the Pink Elephant crew would soon follow. Also, we have seen a clear demarcation in the New York Club world between the global players and the regional ones, with players such as Noah and Jason and the Stereo crew (who have recently been seen in Vegas looking at deals), keeping their eyes on Las Vegas megaclubs and the tourists who flock to them, while the Cain and Elephant team cater to the global scene, of which London is the capital. And Ms. Sacco? With projects in Vegas, London and her mega deal with Morgans, she is obviously the big bird of the nest.

Cain Updates the Interweb

After seeing our report on Cain's London project, a reader points out that their website is currently pimping their pending opening. Soon indeed.

Cain Crosses the Pond

The folks behind Cain had quite a busy 2007. They opened Gold Bar, signed a new lease for their flagship club on 17th Street, and brought their brand of Cain fun to the Bahamas. Now what to do? They aren't following the current trend of supersizing themselves out in Vegas. What they are going to do is open up in London. That's right, London. Our first Little Birdy of the year reports, "Cain is opening in London. Confirmed." My, my LB. You certainly are sure of yourself. And why wouldn't you be; you have been right so many times before. We will certainly keep you posted as this story develops.

British Love Them Some Box

A few issues with the City haven't stopped Simon Hammerstein from conducting his bidness. A Little Birdy on the other side of the pond dropped this British Bombshell, saying , "Simon Hammerstein is in London taking meetings with local nightlife heavies. He is there scoping out places for the Box." Taking the vaudeville act international. Now that is some bold thinking. It's tough to know how the Brits will react, but judging from the international contingent that frequents the Box's NYC location, we think it may be a big hit.

See Ya Sacco

Amy Sacco's grip on the NYC scene has been slipping. Lot 61 is gone and Bungalow may as well be. So what is the Queen of NYC nightlife to do? Sell out of course. After recently opening the London edition of Bungalow at St Martins Lane, a little birdy tells us "Amy Sacco has entered into a significant deal with Morgans Hotel Group. She will be opening and/or overseeing a number of venues in existing and future Morgan's Hotel deals. They just bought out the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas and the Mondrian and Delano are both opening at Echelon Place in Vegas in 2010 so expect her to make a big splash in the desert."

Interesting. But that isn't for 3 years. Seems like an awfully long time for Amy to sit on the sidelines. Oooh, what's this? A second little birdy tells us "expect something from her soon in the notoriously slimy Miami club market in one of the current Morgan's properties or perhaps the future Mondrian South Beach."

We better call our travel agent.