
Friday, February 29, 2008
Flyer Follies: Dominican Independence Day

Thursday, February 28, 2008
Catfight at Beatrice

Spencer: "Dude, why didn't you respond to my email?" (He had apologized for the insult to Hud's teen girlfriend.)How utterly lame! So when you see a group of tight pants'd, blow dried, parakeet toting hipsters drinking a West 12th and dancing to Hall and Oates, remember, anything's better than uppity journalists.
Hud: "Do you want me to drop you?"
Spencer: "Yeah, sure. That's a good idea."
Hud walks down the stairs. Spencer follows, slaps him, later telling friends: "He needed a dose of reality."
Hud: "He punched me!"
Bouncers escort Spencer to the side room to the right of the entrance, with the couches. Close scene.
[Photo Credit]
Belgium Room
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Knitting Factory Heading East?

With it's lease expiring in 2009, it's liquor license set to expire in October, and it's building for sale, the Knitting Factory is in need of a new home. Brooklyn Vegan is reporting that the folks behind the "Knitting Factory have applied for a liquor license at 504-508 E 14th St." PaperMag got in touch with Gene from TKF, who says “it’s one of the many places we’re looking at.”
Considering that CB 3 hates to give out liquor licenses to just about everyone, and that they will be hosting live music 7 nights a week, we can't forsee them getting approved for this space. We hold out hopes that they do though. DBTH prayers are with you.
[Photo Credit]
Mansion: Not so Terrible?
Hold the phones! Has everything we've heard so far about Mansion been wrong? Can it possibly be the "force capable of leading clubdom to a new era." A Little Birdy reports:
I went on Saturday night, in short it was not as horrible as I might have otherwise thought. Due to the sheer size of the space to fill it up they cannot be particularly discerning with who they let in so it ended up being a mix of a reasonably good crowd combined with a lot of bridge and tunnel. Seemed like two worlds clashing, but everyone was in good spirits and the somewhat silly decor was easy to overlook. The venue did eventually get packed circa 1 - 2 AM. I think the place will do well enough, (it's an upgrade from the sad state Crobar was in anyhow) if only as a fall-back for people who cannot get into the smaller venues on club row.Well, that's the best independent review we've seen so far, and it still doesn't come across as the Per Se of nightclubs. Maybe given some time, this puppy has a chance at success.
Strategic's Horizontal Integration
GNML sits down with Noah Tepperberg (Strategic Group, Marquee) for another magical interview. What did we find most interesting? Noah and Jason's ability to horizontally integrate clients into their properties across the country, saying
Every client counts. To build a business that will sustain itself over a few years you have to have a loyal customer base that will come every week or every month or every six months and support your venue. If our customers are loyal and good, we make it a point to cater to them and bring them into this Marquee, Tao, Strategic, Dune, network. They have access to the network and can use it when they need to entertain clients or to travel. It’s a very key part to why our business works.12 months a year in every large US city, Noah and Jason are able to plug you in to a Strategic related property. This in turn gives them longevity. This is why you see a place like Marquee remain open and going strong this far into it's lifetime.
Glassing Up Grand Street

Bonus Tip: Brack has recently signed a deal to do a second downtown hotel project. More details to follow.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Danny A Pleads His Case

Happy Birthday Sixpoint

Village Innsanity
We love to talk Manhattan hotels around here, with their numerous roof bars, glitzy restuarants, spas, and over the top design. But all that luxury comes with a steep price. Today, we take you in a different direction. Behold the Village Inn, a brand spanking new hostel on East 7th Street, just a few doors down from McSorley's. Hostels.net has the intel:
The Village Inn is a totally renovated 5 story walk-up building that can comfortably accommodate travelers looking for the fun and history of the neighborhood. The dormitory rooms can sleep 8 to 12 people, and they all have private facilities. Private rooms are also available for those who demand a little more privacy. Next to our fully equipped kitchen, a flat screen TV entertains our guests in a large common area. Here, guests wake up to our well known "two thumbs up" free continental breakfast, an assortment of bagels, muffins, fruits, cereal, coffee, milk and orange juice. In our lounge, you can watch TV while you check your emails, lock up your luggage, wash your clothes, or just chill with other fellow travelers.Prices range from about $40 - $50 a night, depending on if you go private suite or dorm room. Since you are going hostel, we suggest going whole ham and shacking up with the rest of your new friends from Belgium. Happy hosteling.
Flyer Follies: Ashlee Is Gonna Sing

Care to be amazed? Please make your way to Ashlee Simpson's oh so hot record release party tonight at Marquee. Lady Simpson will not only be there herself (androgynous partner Pete will probably be there too), but she will even please your ears with a two song performance. That's 200% more than we can take, but whatever, she's nice to look at.
Monday, February 25, 2008
The Estate
We don't know how we missed this, but EuEu and BirBir got their little pad in the Hamptons, ingeniously named the Estate, a spiffy little write up in February. Makes sense to us. The 8 bedroom Sag Harbor estate isn't a party house, but a place to relax. And despite operating Tenjune and all that goes along with the EM Group, EuEu explains that they "get to be here all the time." So it makes sense that the authors describe the house as feeling "largely unlived in" and "lots of space waiting to be filled." Because that's what happens when you get Pottery Barn to decorate the whole place for free. Well boys, you know where to send our invitation for the summer.
On a side note. Shame. Shame on all of your faithful readers for not sending this our way last week. It took 10 days for us to see it, and now we seem behind. SHAME.
On a side note. Shame. Shame on all of your faithful readers for not sending this our way last week. It took 10 days for us to see it, and now we seem behind. SHAME.
Chelsea vs. Chelsea

Turf War: MPD vs 27th Street

Steve Lewis: Your competition is really the Meatpacking District. It’s the clash of the titans: Chelsea against MeatpackingWow. Thanks for pointing that out. Who knew that the Meatpacking District had become so mersh that 27th Street would be able to bring some real authenticity back? Certainly not us. Probably not anyone. With re-zonings, rising rents, and a general lack of interest, both of these areas will be virtually nightlife free within 5 years.
Carlo Seneca: Exactly, we wanna pull as many people as we can out of there. I believe that Meatpacking is becoming too commercialized. The revitalization of this neighborhood is happening with Mansion and us at Suzie Wong and Prime leading the way.
But for now, please choose a side and keep your head on a swivel for flying lemon drop shots.
[Photo Credit]
Friday, February 22, 2008
Flyer Follies: Room Service Goes All Out

We know already. Stop sending us the flyer. Just go and be crazy. And make sure you say hi to Mr. Lewis for us.
Chelsea Hotel Goes Live

Like a delightfully unpredictable house party, guests can roam from room to room endlessly exploring a flowing space punctuated with nooks, crannies, and hotspots such as the Terrace Lounge, the “must go” location for the over-21 crowd on the lookout for a sophisticated, hip experience outside of the casinos, the Living Room, the Bar, and the Game Room.Very interesting concept - but is it enough to bring guests to a hotel that lacks a gaming floor? We say yes - as AC suffers from a lack of quality hotel space to draw weekend guests. The Chelsea positions itself as a serious contender for the young and affluent who are more than willing to hop in a cab and pop over to the Borgata for gambling, MurMur, and Mixx.
Apparently opens for Memorial Day. Book now!
Hamptons Hamptons Hamptons

We highly recommend clicking through to the full flash presentation. Quarter and half shares available, but please act soon.
A Pure Bust

Photo Credit
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Hep A @ Socialista
Look out! NY1 is reporting that people who went to Socialista on certain nights were possibly exposed to Hepatitis A and should get vaccinated. Apparently, a bartender came down with the disease and health officials are worried that the disease may have spread to some 600-800 patients. Yummy. Our Little Birdy who passed along the news notes, "Somewhere, a bunch of guys who got denied at the door are having the last laugh. And yet no one has (reportedly) contracted anything from the cross-dressing midget at The Box, who 'jizzes' 'semen' on random patrons... Madness." Oh how true.
Maybe Sophia should reconsider her choice of locales. But hey, what's a little Hep between friends?
Maybe Sophia should reconsider her choice of locales. But hey, what's a little Hep between friends?
Sunday Bloody Socialista

"Sophia Lamar is hosting Sundays at Socialista and it started last night:
I JUST WANT.................
Body: TO THANK EVERY BODY THAT CAME LAST NIGHT TO SOCIALISTA AND MADE IT POSIBLE, SUCCESSFUL AND FUN. I CAN WAIT FOR NEXT SUNDAY.THANK YOU.
That's the bulletin she posted on myspace last night [Monday] and everyone that went said it was a great time.. i'll have to check it out next week!"
Everyone knows Sunday's are the night to really throw down and here goes Socialista, tossing it's Cuban hat into the ring. Thankfully, our Little Birdy will be there to let us know if Sophia and Armin can pull it off. We'll be waiting with baited breath.
Light Group Cashes Out

I Am Not a Bar

The madness has got to stop. While we support a neighbor's right to relative quiet, New York as a city must make it possible to open and operate a business. With the pending economic issues, this will become even more evident, as potential entrepreneurs (David Kaplan) who are hoping to pour their heart and soul into opening a restaurant, lounge or bar will look at the neighborhood, the high rent, the fees, taxes and regulatory BS and run the other way. Add an onerous community board to the mix and opening an interesting place to have a cocktail is nearly impossible.
Death and Co. is a bar! Their drinks are good, their food is passable. Give them a damn liquor license and let's wrap this shenanigan up.
[Photo Credit]
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Ahoy Mr. Lewis

Well, according to a Little Birdy who was there this weekend, this new era is going to be defined by lameness. Our LB says, "Was at Mansion over the weekend. The place is poorly designed, 75% empty, filled with ugly talent, and has fat girls in spandex hanging off the ceiling. Mark Baker himself came by our table to chat us up. Very creepy. I give this place 4 months." And that's that.
Back to the point, we welcome Steve Lewis into our realm. May the best blog win.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Flyer Follies: Lonely Hearts Club

(1) Man that makes me want to go out and get some on valentine's day; and
(2) Isn't DJ Suss One the dj that Satsky blindsided Birnbaum over while eating artichoke dip?
Indeed it was flyer dude. Unfortunately, Satsky won't be holding any party because his club is no longer open, leaving DJ Suss available to do Cain dirty tomorrow. Lucky Cain. Lucky lucky Cain.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Riverview Getting It's Demo On

The Shoolbred Shill
We love all of our readers and welcome any and all comments. But we don't appreciate when interested parties anonymously drop glowing praises of their own venues. What is this - yelp? So it is with great sadness that we call out Shoolbred's for breaking this rule. After running a short item on the new East Village bar/resty, a commenter says:
I was there this past weekend for a friend's birthday and we had a great time. Shoolbreds has everything from comfortable leather chairs around a fire place (it's like drinking in your living room but you don't have to clean up the mess...and there's a fireplace!) to a hidden hangout nook in the back. It has an heir of sophistication but can also be a place you go to to do Jager shots with your friends without being surrounded by college kids (although, what are you doing Jager shots for if you're out of college?!) Crowd was mostly in their 20's & 30's and the bartenders treated us great. I would say it's pretty much the full package. I'll go back.Well, our living room has windows and no fireplace, so it isn't exactly the same. But a few hours later, another commenter follows with:
This place has a great atmosphere - love the leather chairs by the fireplace and the stained glass. It's definitely the kind of place you want to go to if you want to chill, throw back a few drinks, and hang out with your friends. My favorite parts: you don't have to stand there for 20 minutes waiting for a drink because there is ample staff and they're very good about taking care of you, and the music is not so obnoxiously loud that you are hoarse for 3 days after going out and screaming all night to someone who is standing right next to you. You can't beat that.Well, we were there when it was pretty dead and did wait 10 minutes for a drink. And frankly, the drink wasn't that good. We suggest running your own shop, rather than interfering in ours.
Quick Hits: Marquee, Myst and Amy Sacco
Time for a Wednesday edition of Quick Hits, where we just give you some really quick stories that we don't feel like using our wit and brain cells to expand upon. How many Q's in Quick Hits? Quick Hits!
Today, we feature one Little Birdy sharing 3 stories. How lovely of you LB. Here we go.
· The old Quo, or Myst, is re-opening very soon as either "Aces N Spades" or "Prime".
· Marquee just re-opened their remodeled Red Room lastnight weekend.
· I just heard a rumor that Bungalow is moving to Wall St. Could be cool.
Interesting stuff LB, but we beg to differ on bullet 3. As bad as 27th Street has become, we don't think Sacco is repackaging Bungalow 8 to head down to Wall Street. As Eater has reported, the space below her real estate venture is going to probably be a large restaurant. Eventually, opening clubs becomes rather boring, and the folks like Miss Sacco look to passively make money. Nightclubs ain't passive kiddies. Unless you are the money and you are using it as a tax write off. Which you know we are.

Today, we feature one Little Birdy sharing 3 stories. How lovely of you LB. Here we go.
· The old Quo, or Myst, is re-opening very soon as either "Aces N Spades" or "Prime".
· Marquee just re-opened their remodeled Red Room last
· I just heard a rumor that Bungalow is moving to Wall St. Could be cool.
Interesting stuff LB, but we beg to differ on bullet 3. As bad as 27th Street has become, we don't think Sacco is repackaging Bungalow 8 to head down to Wall Street. As Eater has reported, the space below her real estate venture is going to probably be a large restaurant. Eventually, opening clubs becomes rather boring, and the folks like Miss Sacco look to passively make money. Nightclubs ain't passive kiddies. Unless you are the money and you are using it as a tax write off. Which you know we are.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Ins't or Ous't: Mansion Part II
The exciting conclusion of our very special 2 part series, Ins't or Ous't. Well, what are waiting for? Nothing.
So our first few Little Birdies really didn't have much fun at Mansion. But maybe the crowd was super exclusive and made you feel privileged to be inside? Or maybe not. According to our final Little Birdy, "This is perhaps redundant, but the "private party" was no more than an invitation to anyone on the not so exclusive asmallworld. With over 300,000 members now that is hardly what constitutes a private party (although probably a more reliable way to entice us banker types, if only marginally more so than MySpace)." We know that the space is huge, but having to sell your exclusive opening weekend, during Fashion Week no less, is simply bad news. If this were publicly listed, we would be dumping shares like crazy. But it's just a club, so expect the vulture promoters to step in and fill this place with _______ (fill in blank).
That's why we can officially stamp Mansion: Ous't.
So our first few Little Birdies really didn't have much fun at Mansion. But maybe the crowd was super exclusive and made you feel privileged to be inside? Or maybe not. According to our final Little Birdy, "This is perhaps redundant, but the "private party" was no more than an invitation to anyone on the not so exclusive asmallworld. With over 300,000 members now that is hardly what constitutes a private party (although probably a more reliable way to entice us banker types, if only marginally more so than MySpace)." We know that the space is huge, but having to sell your exclusive opening weekend, during Fashion Week no less, is simply bad news. If this were publicly listed, we would be dumping shares like crazy. But it's just a club, so expect the vulture promoters to step in and fill this place with _______ (fill in blank).
That's why we can officially stamp Mansion: Ous't.
Ins't or Ous't: Mansion
It's the return of everyone's favorite feature Ins't or Ous't, where we tackle the state of New York City nightlife establishments and decide whether they are worth your time. It's about effing time.
Place: Mansion
Neighborhood: Chelsea
Status: Ous't
It's only been three days since this club opened, not even to the public mind you, and we are already declaring it dunzo. Why? First of all, it's open in a dying nightlife neighborhood. And second, we have still not heard one positive thing about it. So today, we bring you 2 reports that re-confirm that this place is over and ous't. According to Little Birdy #1,

Neighborhood: Chelsea
Status: Ous't
It's only been three days since this club opened, not even to the public mind you, and we are already declaring it dunzo. Why? First of all, it's open in a dying nightlife neighborhood. And second, we have still not heard one positive thing about it. So today, we bring you 2 reports that re-confirm that this place is over and ous't. According to Little Birdy #1,
Two rooms. Smaller one in baroque styling, pool table?!!, carpeted- waiting to envelope the smell of spilt, sticky drinks in weeks to come. Glass enclosed walls of flame, one located in the passageway between the two rooms which makes for an overheated tunnel. Notice the flames unevenly tempering off ? That’s what happens when you use those gel cans. The upstairs library is weird- the books look out of place. Can you tell it’s too many unfocused ideas implemented into one place? The random acts were, well, random. The choir throws off the mood. You half expect a kanye-like perfomance, but then again, this isn’t the Natural History Museum, haha. There were sheet acrobats in Britney wigs and a girl dressed in lights and spewing sparks into the crowd. These random acts are nothing like the tricks at The Box. It seemed circa 1999. But hey, I enjoyed the top-shelf open bar!If this is as good as you can get for your opening talent line up, then we thinks there be a problem. Stay tuned for Part II.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Alert: I Am Not DBTH

I am an avid fan of your blog. We both share an affinity for the nightlife industry, and I often am aware of some of your stories before they are posted. Hence, my friends have speculated that I am, in fact, the Hipster. They became especially suspicious after the Tom Arnold Sundance posting because I was one of few people outside. However, as you know this obviously is a case of mistaken identity. At first it was funny but now it has become an issue for me as the word has spread, with people wary having the “Hipster” around.That was the both the short and long of it, and we still don't know who sent it to us. But we do know something - whoever did write it certainly is not DBTH. So please, people who are associated with the author, stop being wary of having them around. They are still down. Just not BTH.
First Responder: Mansion Pt II
Now, the exciting conclusion of our First Responder report from Mansion, the Opium Group's newest club built right here in our fair City.
After getting the first update from our Little Birdy, we couldn't help but wonder why they were sellin bottle services when we had been hearing all week that the club wasn't open to the public this weekend? We posed the question to our LB, who quickly responded:
After getting the first update from our Little Birdy, we couldn't help but wonder why they were sellin bottle services when we had been hearing all week that the club wasn't open to the public this weekend? We posed the question to our LB, who quickly responded:
I thought about that one too. Obviously, they played it up as a private event, saw some people w invites who got right in, but inside were some familiar faces who I knew that also got in via the line. I had 12 ppl w me and the bottle prices were in the ice buckets. . . it is not the intimate ultra lounge they say it is. The cocktail waitresses were overwhelmed covering, 5-6 tbls and they clearly packed in as many ppl as they could. The "upstairs vip" area was no more exclusive than the rest of the place. All in my group felt the sheer size of the place will dissuade people who attend places like Gold Bar, Pink, Cain etc. Truth be told, other than the ball-like chandeleirs and some fire flames burning behind glass (like a miami club I forget) it isn't much different than Crobar was.Well, that's not a good sign. First weekends and soft opens are never easy, but we assumed that these folks would be able to hit the ground running. Guess not.
First Responder: Mansion
Below, Part I of our First Responder report from Mansion.
One of our more frequent Little Birdy's was on hand for Mansion's big opening weekend and reports:

Was at mansion last night for their " private " party. Took a table with some friends and a slew of girls. They seemed to be allowing people in w/o invites but I could be wrong. Never saw spice girls, but they did have a gospel choir at 1230. Made no sense. Sat in upstairs VIP area, 8 ppl, 3 btl minimum. Place is too cavernous, lacks the vip area that Mansion Miami has and the crowd was not as exclusive. I guess you have to compromise to fill a space this large. Music was not great, place was empty by 3am. Lots of available tables.A 3 bottle minimum in this economic climate is bold. Maybe 3 bottles of Amstel Light? Heh.
Saturday, February 09, 2008
Want a Link?
We have given in to the pressure and created a link list. If you are interested in being listed, please drop the URL in the comments or via email.
DBTH
DBTH
Friday, February 08, 2008
Gawker Catches Up
Hats off to one of Gawker's many new editors Hamilton Nolan for understanding the PR game. Amazingly, Mr. Nolan discovered that Scores treats the Post reporters nicely, and in turn, Page Six gives out favorable coverage. Now of course, we already have told you that Lonnie Hanover, the man behind the Quid Pro Quo, recently alligned himself with Rick's Cabaret. Thus, we said that we expect Rick's to become the most discussed strip club in the press, especially Page Six. Amazingly, it only took 2 days for Lonnie's hire to put Rick's all over the news map. Maybe it will help that stock price tick even further upward Monday morning.
Developing: Beatrice Inn Raided

UPDATE:The Bea was closed down from Midnight until 2:00 AM last night, and was allowed to reopen. Everything is back to normal and you can now come down off the ledge.
Told Ya

Lenny Kravitz: Bullish on GoldBar

Thursday, February 07, 2008
Keys to the Mansion

Rick's Cabaret Makes Its Move

Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Rose Bar Reject

Photo Credit
The Ultimate Super Bowl Party
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
On the Circuit: Chloe Sevigny
Interested in being a Little Birdy? Applications are being accepted here.
On the Circuit: Charlotte Ronson
Fashion Week. It's back. It really felt like it never left. Anyway, somehow we wound up at Butter last night for the oh so spectacular afterparty for Charlotte Ronson. Fabulous! Seriously though, we want to thank Richie and Scott, Blue and Cream, the Ronson girls (Sammy Sam Dee Jayed of course) for being such gracious hosts. Except for all the smoke, we actually had a great time. There isn't much else to comment on: most of the people were cleared out at midnight to make way for the Monday night Butter elite, and that was the perfect time for us to exit stage left. Next.
Monday, February 04, 2008
Introducing Shoolbred's
Friday, February 01, 2008
The Mansion is Built

It looks like the finishing touches are being put on Mansion, Chelsea's newest clubtacular, from Miami's Opium Group. Our friends at Grub Street have the press release details, saying:
It will have the feel of forties Hollywood, with personal granite dance platforms at each Pucci-fabric sofa, a 20-foot enclosed fireplace, and three separate lounge areas. The interior isn’t yet photo-ready (we’re the first to run this rendering), but we’re dying to see the “Cougar Room,” a chicks-only den with hairdressers, makeup artists, sex toys, and girlie drinks by mixologist Gregory Selder.How over the top! How gimmicky! How Clubtacular! It looks like the even included those tables they require for success. We look forward to opening night.
The Gold Standard

Some people love to hate on the state of nightlife in New York City. Not us of course, but some people. But the City is still very fun, and it is possible to have a great time going out. On that note, a Little Birdy filed this report after what seems to be a lonnnnnnng night out, saying:
u know gold bar? place is pretty serious stuff. degenerates of nyc in full swing at gold bar. 19 yr old brazilians having makeshift photoshoots as the party floods into the dj booth to play with the new mac computers. bottles of goose everywhere. i have 2 brain cells right now. give me some verbs.Was that English? Our Little Birdy's goose is done and done dirty. But you all get the drift. It seems that they had a killer time, and so can all of you.
Keep sharing those stories everybody. We love em.
Oooh, Fashion
