Hallelujah! Upstairs Reopens

Drum roll please! According to a source at Upstairs, despite thenoisy stereo scandal, the amazing club is back open! According to our Little Birdy:

We are open for business this weekend. See you tonight.

Praise Him! Upstairs Be Thy Name!

Upstairs Update: Shutting the Place Down

After reading the earlier report that Upstairs was shut down by the cops on Wednesday night, a Little Birdy send us this email that explains the the semi-secret Soho club was closed again last night for the oh so tricky "legal problem with the sound system".

Dear beautiful people,
We have just been informed that Upstairs will be closed tonight due to a legal problem with the sound system. This only pertains to tonight - we will be back next week with the same line up plus more! We apologize for the short notice, let us make it up to you next week...!

We hate it when that happens! Still no word if they have reopened for tonight, but we will of course try to let you know. We weep for you Upstairs, and hope that you can reopen soon. NYC needs you.

Upstairs Raided

So we got this rumor from a Little Birdy in the know, but haven't been able to confirm. Anyway, our Little Birdy in the know says, "last Wednesday night upstairs got raided for apparent liquor license violations. they were shut down for the evening...not sure where it goes from here." So that's what we hear. Developing.

Flyer Follies: Wednesday Night Winner

A reader asked, and our readers answered. Bunny Chow at Cain is apparently the hottest thing going right now, with GoldBar, Upstairs (late night), and of course, Beatrice Inn all getting mentions. Now go out and drink!

VIP or Not VIP @ Upstairs

And now, fresh off a still chilly Spring weekend in New York, a faithful Little Birdy files a report filled with celebrity sightings, bottle service and dancing from Upstairs. We ask that you not confuse it with Downstairs, the late night diner that most people will never go to. And now, for our LB:

went to Upstairs last night (I know, I know, it's probably passe for LB). Met up with friends at mercbar first, and as we're walking to Upstairs, low and behold I spot chase crawford out of the corner of my eye--black sports jacket, black pants, blue eyes..etc. Then he turns the corner and gone. So we get to Upstairs--getting in the front door was easy bc a friend had dropped god knows how much for a table (bottle service...really, Wayne?...eugh). this got us into the "ultra vip" roped off area to the right of the DJ. we start pouring some drinks and dancing, until I realize (you must know where this is going), chase crawford is right behind me. I think i even spotted Michelle Trachtenberg out of the corner of my eye at their corner table. then, because I actually wanted to dance (shocking thing to do at a club, i know), I stepped out of the "ultra vip" section, only to try to make my way back in later and find myself faced with a *huge* bouncer in front of the "ultra vip" steps. I swear, the only word in the english language that he knew was "NO." I convinced him to let me in only when I told him I was getting my coat to leave--which I promptly did. although entertaining, having a celebrity in a club makes everything 10 times more difficult than it needs to be.

Hmmph. How rude! We certainly feel your pain, paying good money to be told by a security guard you cannot get back to your table. Bastards! That'll teach all of you, never, ever go dance. Ever.

Star Lounge Wants Some Monday Love

Sorry to interrupt the Spitzer lovefest, but apparently there is a new party that is getting underway tonight. A Facebook promoter just sent out an email blast, saying

Sorry for the late invite, but tonight (Monday) I will be @ Star Lounge ( 23rd St bet 7-8th ave @ the bottom of the Chelsea Hotel) this is a new party and its amazing, its strictly New York nothing but elegance and style, everyone needs to check this out.

We have withheld any names from this, since we know how everyone feels about that.

But what is it about Monday's that gets everyone's juices flowing? You now have Butter, Johnny Utah's, Upstairs, and newcomer Star Lounge all fighting for your early week dollars. But can anyone tell us what really is the best way to make yourself hungover with 4 more work days to go? We bet YOU can.

Johnny Utah's Goes Industry

Is Butter's Monday night reign about to end? Possibly, if the folks behind the industry event at Johnny Utah's have their way. A Little Birdy writes, "I wanted to let you know about this Monday party that I've been to for the past 2 weeks that everyone seems to be going to. It's an early party at Johnny Utah's from about i would say....10ish to 2ish?? I've left 1:30 both times when it was slowing down and headed to upstairs (which i saw most of the people from there at after)." Don't believe them? Luckily, they supplied a fancy video that shows the wild times. Fabolous.

As an aside, our lovely cabbie also told us that Upstairs biggest night is Monday, after everyone leaves Butter. Could it also be filled with people from Johnny U's? Apparently.

Early to Bed for Upstairs

Behold, some of the first available images from, Upstairs, the oh so secretive lounge above Cafe Bari in Soho. It looks amazing doesn't it? It does. But what we want to know is, why does it close so early? Last night, Cisco Adler and his band played there, but when they mercifully stopped playing, the lights came on at 1:00 AM and everyone was forced out. Very strange for a late night spot. Very strange. Then again, it seems weird things have a way of happening there.

The Way to Get Upstairs

So do you have New Years plans yet? No? That's OK, you still have time to figure everything out. What's that? You want some suggestions from DBTH? Well, we don't play favorites, but may we suggest Upstairs? You heard us. Upstairs. Now, we've had our fun with the not-so-secret lounge above Cafe Bari. And they've made it pretty clear what they think about us. But it's cool. It's cool. New Years Eve is a different animal - especially in this town. And if you are going out, you want it to be big, and you want it to be great. The problem is so many people try to head out of town to avoid the masses that flock here.

But we've been told by the Upstairs folks that just won't be the case at their event. They are predicting the regulars, and they are guaranteeing a good time. We kinda believe them. We don't know why but we do. So give them a chance. If we didn't already have plans, and if they took down our Wanted poster, we may consider it ourselves. If that's not your seen, maybe one of these will be.

Got something else in mind? Do let us know.

DBTH Sent You

Although we were out of town this weekend, a friend who was visiting New York Saturday night asked us for the location of Upstairs. Naturally, we quickly sent it over with a bit of advice. "When you approach the door, tell Wayne DBTH sent you." Now, when we suggested this, we had a feeling it would not help. But we wanted to test it out. Below is a transcript of what happened.

So, I showed up at the front door of Upstairs and asked for Wayne. He said, "I'm Wayne". I said "Hey man. My friend DBTH told me to come by and ask for you". He immediately started freaking out. "What? You're kidding right?" I started smiling thinking that he was
excited that I used DBTH's name and that he was going to let me right in. Lets just say that it was the complete opposite of what I thought.

"You know DBTH?"

"Of course I know DBTH, a great friend and a genius."

"He's a genius" he said obviously heated. "a genius?" He's not a genius, he put my phone number up on his blog. Do you know how many phone calls I received from that, do you know how annoying that is? I have been opening private clubs for years now and never has anybody done this"

"Yeah, but any publicity is good publicity right? Also, they didn't post your full number. I just want to check it out to see I can tell them something good about this place."

"No, I'm sorry, you should leave."

"OK then man. Nice talking to you."

Wow. Just wow. It's funny because we didn't post anyone's full phone number. We would never do that. What's more funny is we have been to Upstairs and were let in by Wayne himself. And while we appreciate our friends sticking up for us, we don't consider ourselves a genius by any stretch. But everyone enjoys a compliment, including Wayne, who we know is doing a heck of a job.

Quick Hits: Weekend Recap

It's Monday, time for a Weekend Recap edition of Quick Hits. Did you feel that? We just hit you.

1. More tales from Upstairs, no one's favorite exclusive club above Cafe Bari. A Little Birdy reports, "My friends and I were walking past Upstairs at 2:30 Friday morning and decided to see what it is all about. We approached the bouncer, who asked what party we were with. I replied, 'we are the party', which set the bouncer off on some crazy rant about something or other. After going on for a few minutes, he offered to let us in if we agreed to buy a bottle - for $1600! We laughed at him and kept walking." Jesus Wayne! $1600 is by far the most expensive bottle of anything in NYC. And we know he was talking Absolut here.

2.We aren't afraid to pass along this report from Scoopy's Notebook in the Villager, saying "that Mannahatta bar on the Bowery may be moving out soon and that the operator who hopefully will take over the space has a great record of running community-friendly establishments in the ’hood." That's bound to be an improvement.

3. A Little Birdy was at Beatrice Inn on Friday night, one night after being shut down, and seems to have had a bad time, reporting, "the place was way overcrowded, very hot, and every guy in there was rocking skinny suspenders. Awful." To each his own, we guess.

4. Finally, yours truly walked past the San Loco on Avenue A recently, and we are proud to report that they are serving booze once again. Viva San Loco! Viva El Guaco Loco!

Breaking: Diddy Fighting at Upstairs

You hear something once, and you brush it off as rumor. You hear something twice, and you start to believe a little bit more. Three times, well, that little piece of gossip is almost a fact. So here it goes.

Our old friend Diddy was busted for fighting last weekend. Not very smooth. We don't care too much about the man's comings and goings, so we let the story go at that. But the story has taken an interesting turn. Every published report puts the event at Kiosk, a store at 95 Spring Street that apparently "which hosts social events at night". Uh, we don't think so. Then a Little Birdy reminded us that this is the same block as our old friend, Upstairs, the bar that has been described as "small, intimate and PACKED with six-foot runway models."

Now, we have been hearing from a few very reliable sources that Diddy was at Upstairs on Friday night/Saturday AM. The brawl went down both inside and outside the club, and according to a Little Birdy that is most definitely in the know, "Danny A's trying to blame the bar down the street."

Now that is something that does make sense. Your club's legality is still on shaky ground. A promoter who claims to work parties there is a major DB, and now a trouble making celeb gets arrested outside. This is all bad news for Danny A. But it's great news for us.

Consider this one developing. But now you know why we were able to say, Upstairs is really ou'st.

UPDATE: The Post piggy backs on what we already knew. Upstairs is one dangerous place.

Break Down: Upstairs Bar Part II

We already Broke Down where Upstairs is. Now, based on a little note we received, we will breakdown why you go there and just how to get in. Let's begin.

Why You Go:
1. To AVOID commoners.
2. This club is for the elite. IF this is you, then GO.
3. The club is small, intimate and PACKED with six-foot runway models.

Those are all great reasons on why to pick Upstairs as your drinking establishment of choice. We hate commoners. But we love you. Now, to the second and more important breakdown.

How You Get In:
1. Call the doorman Wayne. He is black and really cool.
2. Call Wayne at 11:30 and tell him you are Danny A's friend.
3. Tell him you met Danny -A- at a model party a few weeks ago.
4. Don't get a table.
5. Go at exactly 12:30 and you better be dressed HOT and COOL.
6. If you are a guy you MUST have at least one tall woman with you OR YOU WILL NOT GET IN. Two women are better. Two or more men together WILL NEVER GET IN.
7. You should ONLY go as a couple the first time you go.
8. Go in, have few drinks, and then come down later and hang out a bit and get to know Wayne the doorman.
9. Give Wayne $20 at some point.

Lordie. That's a lot of rules. And it seems like an awful lot of lies to tell just to get in to a bar. We hate liars. How about this? You open a bar, check ID's, play good music and serve good drinks at a reasonable price. Then, and only then, we will think about coming by to hang out and spend money.

Upstairs: Really, Really Ous't

Not to beat a dead horse, but is there anything lamer than a secret club trying to get more customers by hiring promoters to promote the club's secretness. Answer: No. Another email begging us to come to Upstairs came in, and this thing is truly next level.

If you don't know who Danny -A- is or don't want to Google HIM do not try to get into this club. I was there last night and he was blowing out losers and short people. We were hanging out with Leonardio DiCaprio, Mark Wahlberg, Shakira and a room full of runway models. This is where these people go to AVOID commoners.

It is a PRIVATE club. It is above Cafe Bari on the corner of Spring and Broadway. The doorman is a stocky, really cool black guy named Wayne. His PERSONAL phone number is 646-515-^&*(removed). Call him at 11:30 and tell him Danny -A- gave you his number and you are going to stop by in a little while. If he asks, and he probaly won't, tell him you met Dannay -A- at a model party a few weeks ago. If he asks if you want a table SAY NO, that you are just stopping by. The club opens at midnight. To get in go at exactly 12:30 and you better be dressed HOT and COOL. If you are a guy you MUST have at least one tall woman with you OR YOU WILL NOT GET IN. Two women are better. Two or more men together WILL NEVER GET IN.

You should ONLY go as a couple the first time you go. Go in, have few drinks, and then come down later and hang out a bit and get to know Wayne the doorman. A $20 tip will help him remember you. He is really cool and KNOWS EVERYONE he lets in. This club is for the elite. IF this is you, then GO.

The club is small, intimate and PACKED with six-foot runway models. If you want to whine and say sour grapes and that this is not for you, fine DON'T GO. Otherwise, to continue to get the passwords for the two other SUPER HOT new NY clubs, send us a report AFTER you get in to Cafe Bari. Once you go to Cafe Bari and give us a report, we will send you the info for the other two new super hot clubs in town.

Oh man. Someone really wrote this? A human being? This is just too much for us to handle. We have hired 3 interns to parse through all the details. But now we know, Upstairs is really, really ous't.

Break Down: Upstairs Bar

We don't want you to feel like we have left you hanging. So we used our DBTH skills and technological advancements to break down Upstairs. Starting at the bottom right and moving clockwise. Raise your hand if there are any questions.

1. The main entrance to Cafe Bari. You can enjoy their food or use their staircase to try and go Upstairs.
2. Behold! Door #2. A back entrance to Upstairs, or so we are told. Also the entrance to an international product mart.
3. Behind those dark curtains, Upstairs.
4. More curtains.
5. Again, curtains.

You get the point. Call your model and celeb friends, and let them know you are ready to get in on the secret. Or you can tell them DBTH sent you. But if you do, promise to let us know how it goes.

Get Down for the Upstairs, Everybody Get Down

Ooooh secret bar. Oooh so secret. Oooooh Danny A. Oooooh how do we find out more. You want to know more? You want to know more? We'll tell you more! Without further adieu, a very special Little Birdy.

It's actually housed in Cafe Bari, in the upstairs part of the resto. The place turns into a nightclub a few nights/week. We were clued into the fact that it was the right place because there's graffiti in the back hallway with a big "Upstairs" graff. Then you go in the back door to the restaurant. Who we assume was Danny A. was sitting there with some important looking people, looking/acting really pissed, reading the Post, looking at papers, on their blackberries. A couple of times he yelled at the waiters - we're assuming because that's where they think the leak came from.

Yelling at the waiters, nice touch. To add a few more details, the space has been long planned and is permitted. Like LB said, don't expect a 7 day a week celeb-a-thon. Danny A. and Co. only plan to let you upstairs a few nights a week. 7-Up? We dig.