by Michelle K. on I am a fan. We went to support my friend DJ SugarCut at "Flashback Saturdays" and had a blast. More fun than we expected! The bartenders were awesome and the music kept us going all night long. I like the layout of this club and the modern decor. The bathrooms were kept clean and the general vibe of the club was overall pretty positive and chill. The crowd Saturday night was diverse and fun. There was even a separate room for salsa lovers and we got our dance on there as well! The valet parking is definitely worth it and the entire staff at Havana Club are both professional & courteous. Lastly, I want to give a shout out to "Sumit" (one of the HC managers) who picked up my cell phone and compact that fell out of my purse halfway through the night. "Thank you and I appreciate the extra level of customer service that night!" #rateclubs 365 - 21/365
by Mary P. on High life at the High Line - Don't even bother fronting up at the door like any other schmoe unless you're gorgeous according to the standards of John Casablancas & Co. This was my fourth time at Boom Boom and I've always gone under the aegis of friends and family who are connected and gorgeous enough to dispense with lines and all that nasty self-abasement. Our name's on the list as always and the seas part to allow us in. Whatever. I'm too conservative for Boom Boom's fabulousness - 9mm Grade AAA Mikimoto's mean zip with the Cerebi who guard the all-important door. At no other time do I feel like the late Leona Helmsley than when I push past the hapless and hopeless line-people panting to get in. It's awful to see the resentment as you swan past them and into the Standard's sancutm santorum. One understands perfectly the rage of the crowd towards the aristocrat riding in the tumbrel in 19th century France. __________________ And here's what you can expect to find: - A very nice-looking bar. Gatsbyesque, even. Stunning views from the 18th Floor over that part of the city at night. - The expected gorgeous-looking anorectic staff who thank goodness, have been fairly well trained and do not have the snotty attitude prevalent at such places. For this let us be grateful to Andre and Co. I mean: the Gold mini's, flashy, sky-high Louboutins, flawless maquillage - and that's just the guys... - Great people watching ; try and get a booth up against the back wall, sit back and watch the show. The music's LOUD (duh). At some time during the night, take a walk around the perimiter. The bar looks like a high altar of Art Nouveau married to Art Deco. They've hit a home run with the interior. It feels uber-cool and you are tricked into feeling one of the anointed just for being here. - The drinks are as ridiculously-expensive as any other upscale club in NYC and take as long in coming. The food's O.K. and eminently forgettable, but then you don't come to Boom Boom for the menu. - Yes. The restrooms, (like the waiters, waitressess and most of the patrons) - are jaw-droppingly unique and beautiful, including the Men's (had to take a look, naturally). Mr.Balazs certainly has his patrons peeing in style. It was a positive pleasure to switch out a panty shield in such opulent surroundings. I do hear rumblings in the print media that Boom Boom's clientelle is in danger of 'reading too old' and that management should be concerned, so the club's going to make an effort to gather an even-younger crowd to its bosom. Don't shoot the messenger, please. I read this in a tiny blurb about a week ago. In the turnstile world of nightclub popularity, Boom Boom is at the top of it's game. FOR NOW. Remember Bungalow 8 and how it fell from grace? It's a tough, temperemental and fickle public. Nice to at least see someone get all the key elements right. The vibe is warm and all-inclusive. All kinds of people seem welcome at Boom Boom and that's good to see and experience.
by Scot Arreguin on When you come to Buddha Bar..,you enter a whole new world. It's romantic, hip, eerie, trendy....all of that combined. Music, beautiful asian decor , dressed to impress people sets the mood. When you're in the restaurant, you never know what time it is as there are no windows. I think they try and make you 'get lost' in this place and have a total 'different world' experience. Too bad the food is just bland to say the least. You can get a better deal and tastier asian food at Panda Express (and no, I'm not a major fan of the mall chinese food chain). The price...not worth the food.One night there were only 3 guest in my party and we racked up a $600 bill!!! Absolutely not worth going there for dinner. However, if you like good drinks/ bar- lounge, trendy atmosphere/ get all dressed up to the nine to socialize with people from all over the world/ and be aware of the A-list celebrities that might be seated at the VIP section...this is the place for you. Definately come here for the drinks and the socializing, but my suggestion is to eat somewhere else first.
