Rebranding the Chelsea Pub and Hotel

What happens when a big, fancy developer opens a new hotel down the street from you and has the audacity to steal your name? That's the predicament that the Chelsea Pub and Hotel found itself in when the casino-less resort was dubbed the Chelsea Hotel. So the original Chelsea Hotel hired themselves Hotel Internet Strategies to rebrand themselves, lest anyone be confused. HIS has suceeded and let us know about it, saying "just wanted to inform you that The Chelsea Pub and Hotel is now the Chelsea Pub and Inn". Genius! Please note this down so you don't get confused making reservations this summer.

Economy Ruining Summer Party Season

Is the woeful economy going to ruin the Summer of 2008? It just may if there are more people like our Little Birdy and their group of friends who have cancelled plans to head to the Hamptons to hit the hot spots, saying it "seems many of my friends from last year aborted attending [Hamptons] for financial reasons....can't blame em given the state of the economy". We feel your pain, but would reccomend selling some clothes on consignment or plasma to raise the money to hit up Lily Pond. We want to see some NYC hustle.

Surf Lodge a Smashing Success

A lot haters tried to throw cold water on the opening weekend of the Surf Lodge, the rehabbed waterfront property in Montauk. But it seems that the opening weekend couldn't have gone any smoother. According to a Surf Lodge insider:

It was so crowded. I don't think montauk has seen so many people before. All elements of the property (the hotel, the deck, the bar, the restaurant) were running at full capacity. The on-site Tracy Feith boutique opens this week. There were many locals, industry types, and celebs in attendance. Many for multiple nights in row. And everybody was raving about Sam talbot's food.

What everybody needs to realize is that this is not a nightclub and to not compare it to those other places. Its a chill spot, open seven days a week. If someone's first thought is "Montauk?" Then its probably not for them.

These pictures sure look like they are telling the truth. Check out that sky behind Julian Marley! Like co-owner Jayma Cardosa said, Montauk is just a bit different, and they don't expect a Dune type scene. Different strokes for different folks. Early congratulations all around.

[Photo Credit]

Living It Up at Lily Pond

We sent our most trusted correspondent Nicolette from Nicolette and the City out east for the weekend to have a little looksee at some Hamptons night spots. On Saturday night, she checked out Lily Pond and lived to tell the details.


Summer 2008 started off with a wild Saturday night at Lilly Pond. We arrived at 11 and the valet was already full, with a crowd of at least 60 people trying to argue their way into the club. After finally finding parking on some side street, I walked along the side of the road in four inch heels back to the club. When we arrived, there were now about 100 people trying to fight their way in. Great. It was chaotic but about twenty minutes later we finally made it in with a little help from Kristian Laliberte, one of my hosts for the evening.

Once we got in we headed over to the Unruly Heir table, where UH creator Joey Goodwin and Kristian were holding court. They were there celebrating an event they held earlier in the day at Blue and Cream in East Hampton. Hanging next to their table was Whitney from The Hills and there was also a special performance by Estelle (unfortunately sans Kanye West), followed by DJ Berrie, who played mostly house with some random mixes of rock. The place was pretty small and insanely crowded; there were white and navy striped couches that served as bottle service areas in the middle of the “dance floor.” There were also banquettes along the side of the wall that served as posts for bottle service. There was an elevated stage at the back end of the club which had a few tables (ours and Whitney Port’s), which doubled as the stage and DJ booth.

The crowd was all twenty something’s that consisted of trendy Manhattan goers, a few socialites and models – think Tenjune on a Tuesday night except with all house music. There was one bar at the entrance of the club, which was impossible to get to and it took about twenty minutes to get a drink. Bottle service was a little slow here – they could use a little bit more staff, but I forgave them since it was Memorial Day Weekend. By 2:00 a.m. everyone was more than intoxicated and the place started to clear out. Overall, Lilly Pond went beyond my expectations. I didn’t expect this place to be anything great and I didn’t think anyone would show up – let alone Whitney Port (although she isn’t quite A-list) or a performance by Estelle. The party had everything you wanted - great music, booze, hot people, a few “celebrity” sightings and it wasn’t that far from their competition down in Southampton (on the way back we were by Pink Elephant 12 minutes after leaving Lilly Pond). I will definitely be going back.

The Average Cost of a Table

As you and your share house friends prepare for your big weekend night out, we suggest your first check your bank accounts before you agree to go in for a table at one of Suffolk county's summer hot spots. And why is that? Because a table is going to cost you. According to a Little Birdy, "Hamptons folks seem to have colluded to all charge $2k a table at Lily Pond, Pink and Dune....and they're going fast as per a host friend of mine." Of course they are going fast, since people want to lock in at this low price before the summer gang of 3 jacks it to $2500. But imagine how cool you will feel when all of those other losers have to stand all night watching you and your friends sitting at your table. Now you see.

Photo Credit

SUMMER!

It's officially Memorial Day Weekend - the start of summer. We are off to the beach (or somewhere similar) and will see you all Tuesday. And for the record, we chose None of the Above.

Paging La Playa

Our good Tim from the Pink Elephant checks in to clarify the PE crew's summer plans, saying "Pink Elephant will be operating as usual at Capri Hotel. The Tavern space will be now called La Playa. Same owners but unaffiliated with Pink Elephant. Two separate nightclubs with 2 different crowds. Hope this clears up PE’s role out East this summer. Pink @ Capri will be in full effect. Expect to see big things." Well, that's Capri apparently without the outdoor space, but still Capri. This makes our super DBTH Poll a little less accurate, but just a little.

DBTH Poll: Hamptons 2008

OK Birdys - In honor of the start of the 2008 summer season, we bring you the next installment in our DBTH Poll series. What will be the hottest spot in the Hamptons this season? Answer now and answer often, because the world is watching. Oh yes, the world is watching.

Lily Pond is for Music Lovers

Memorial Day week! Holy holy holy! Everyone is so excited. Especially one reader who can't wait for Mike Satsky's Lily Pond to open, breathlessly writing that the former Resort's space, "will involve a great A list crowd. With Jonathan Cheban heading the publicity this venue will be on fire. Frequented by socialites and major celebrities each table will be a sight to see. One of the most amazing parts of lilly pond will be the music. Their DJ roster consists of such names as DJ AM, Steve Aoki, DJ Berrie and many many more." Sounds awesome! We may just run and get on the Jitney right effing now. Uh oh - are we allowed to say that? It could be considered trade secrets or something.

[Photo Credit]

Hamptons are for Partners!

Can you believe it's almost May. It really is so close to summer share season! Yippee! In honor of the traffic on the LIE, we bring you this very special Hamptons report, with a Little Birdy saying:

David Sarner & Bobby Montwaid, the duo behind the Pink Elephant brand, have partnered with nightlife impresarios Pavan & Shaun Rose to take over the Tavern space in Southampton formerly occupied by Stereo. The group will now have control of the space in the Capri Hotel known as Pink Elephant as well as Tavern, consolidating power over two of the only three nightclubs in the Hamptons to one group. The space at the Capri will remain Pink Elephant and plans for Tavern haven't been revealed yet. With everyone from Tenjune, Kiss & Fly, and Greenhouse vying for the space, it will be interesting to see how things develop between now and Memorial Day…

Sure it smells of a press release, but it's so juicy that we don't really give a damn. As for who will get the space, maybe we smell a poll. Hmmm.

Hell's Kitchen Gets Roofied

Do you love drinking on roofs during the steamy summer months? You do? Great news! A new roof top lounge is opening this May, and you all are invited! Yippee! Here's the rub - it's in Hell's Kitchen. 48th and 8th to be exact. But don't lie, half of you work in midtown anyway so what's the big effin deal? Get over it. Or don't, what do we care? Here's the PR for you:

Drink al fresco this summer at Highbar, a new ultra-modern rooftop lounge from Greg Brier (Aspen, Amalia, D'or located in Hells Kitchen. This exclusive iCrave-designed indoor and outdoor venue features spectacular views of the Hudson and offers guests an outdoor experience with all the amenities found indoors—air conditioned areas, dedicated service professionals, and an urban-chic ambiance. Highbar can accommodate 200 guests outdoors and 75 in the adjacent lounge, which is equipped with a state-of-the-art sound system, DJ booth, and visual elements capable of supporting logos, videos, or even camp-classic films. In addition to award-winning cocktails, Highbar will offer a menu of classics from the grill - all your favorites from a relaxing backyard barbecue. For private events, a separate party menu of passed hoers d'oeuvre's and/or buffet stations is available. When planning your summer events, consider Highbar--the perfect new haute spot for the ultimate cocktail party under the sun or the stars.

Classy cocktails and backyard favorites together at last. Pefection! This place is opening in May and seems like a winner. Mark your calendars.