Monday, October 8, 2007

Thursday, August 23, 2007

SoBe 101: How to Get Past the Velvet Rope

BY: Michelle F. Solomon

SoBe's club scene is the place to see and be seen, but it's a dog-eat-dog world out there. If you're fixin' to go partying on a Friday night in South Beach, you better get your groove on because it takes more than just a pretty face to get you past the velvet ropes.

One of Queen Latifah's favorite haunts is Mokaï, Jamie Foxx partied the night away at Mansion while in town filming "Miami Vice," and funnyman Will Ferrell has been known to wind down at Privé. But if you have the entourage but not the celebrity pull, how do you get to enjoy the same privileges of the jet set?

"There are a few tricks to making it past the velvet ropes," says Vanessa Menkes, vice president of the Opium Group, the company behind SoBe's premier haunts including Mansion, SET, Privé and Opium Garden.

"The first and most important one is a great attitude," says Menkes. The doorman's job ("we don't refer to them as bouncers," informs the nightlife expert) is to ensure that the club has a great vibe. "He's looking for people who are going to add that aspect to the party. A great smile, friendly demeanor, and positive disposition are a great place to start. No one wants to accommodate a pushy patron or a grump," she confides.

Insider's tip: Making it in to one of the Opium Group's clubs should be high on the priority list. Opium is responsible for putting South Beach nightlife on the map and you're almost guaranteed to rub elbows with a celebrity.

Next, look like you should be part of the scene. If big hair and Birkenstocks are your usual attire, better think twice before heading out to Collins Avenue or Lincoln Road. And guys, leave the sports gear at home. You won't make it in to a club any quicker because you have Shaq's name on the back of a basketball jersey.

"Miami nightlife is very trendy and upscale and sometimes tourists make the mistake of bringing the relaxed beach vibe to the clubs, which doesn’t bode well for easy entrance," advises Menkes.

Not sure what to wear? Head out to one of the shops at Lincoln Road Mall and get some advice. The customer reps at the stores know what works and what doesn't for nightlife in South Beach.

So, what if you've exhausted all techniques, you look fierce, you're polite, you flash a great smile and you've got money in your pocket and still you spend most of the evening watching others gain entrance while you stand like a wallflower?

There are companies in Miami that have made it their business to get you into the clubs. Kevin McGovern, director of media and development for SoBeVIPs, says sometimes using his hosted entry service is your best bet to be guaranteed access into the hotspot of your choice. Large groups and especially groups of guys find the service invaluable. It's no secret on South Beach that a pack of girls will gain entry into a club five times faster than a group of guys on a weekend night.

McGovern's company handles everything ahead of time from making a table reservation at the club (a "must," he says) to setting up the bottle service (which can run you up to $1800 if you book it on your own) to gaining you a walk through the VIP entrance.

"We have an edge because we have a relationship with the clubs. We make sure you get in and you get taken care of," says McGovern. With his service, a host from SoBeVIPs meets you and your group at the door, escorts you in through the VIP entrance, gets you seated, makes sure the drinks you've ordered are secured, takes care of your transactions, then heads out.

Covers generally run from $20 up at a club and McGovern's per person hosted entry fee runs about $49 per person, which he says is worth the extra cash for guaranteed entrance and a table reservation

Table reservations should be a definite whether you've enlisted a hosted entry service or are going it on your own. Those in the know suggest this as a surefire way to gain entry.

"Make a table reservation in advance. That way, you can reserve a table to sit
comfortably and guarantee yourself quick entrance," says Menkes.

Remember, tables require bottle service, so be prepared to shell out some cash. Clubs many times require a guaranteed purchase of between 6 and 7 bottles. Overall, SoBe isn't cheap. A cocktail can cost anywhere between $12 and $20 a piece and cover charges are usually $20.

"Whether you use our service or not, be prepared to spend money. Grease a palm at the door or tip the right people on the way in. The door guy may be a bagger at Publix during the day, but there he's God. He will keep you out there all night," says McGovern.

So is all this prep work and jockeying worth it just to get in to one of SoBe's hot, trendy clubs? For sure.

"There's nothing on earth like partying in Miami," says Menkes.

Friday, May 18, 2007

Lesley Abravanel knows what's up

Lesley Abravanel covers nightlife in her weekly column, Velvet Underground, in which she scopes the scene for stars, scandal and social studies. A former wanna-be clubkid in the late 80s NYC club scene heyday, she skipped town for Miami, where she's been since 1990--the so-called halcyon days of South Beach clubdom. While combing the scene definitely calls for lots of vitamins, under eye cream and Red Bull, the key ingredient to Lesley's undying energy is a daily bowl of gossip. In her scant spare time, she enjoys American Idol, karaoke and dive bars. She also writes travel books about the entire state of Florida, day and night. Send Lesley your questions regarding nightlife, rumors and gossip. Non monetary tips and daily rants are greatly appreciated as well. Read more from Lesley about the Scene in the Tropics in her weblog.

Q I feel like this question has been asked a hundred times over by now but I have a slight variation... I'm coming down with a group of five girls in early June, where's a place to go out where we DON'T have to get bottle service to get in and where we don't have to wait to long to get in? We don't want to waste our weekend waiting in line :) Also I've read that some of the hotel bars (skybar for example) are for guests only, is this true of most upscale hotels in South Beach. Thanks!
Anonymous, Washington, DC 5/16/07

ANot so true about the hotels...on certain nights they may close the traffic to guests only but you can most likely, most definitely get into Skybar, Delano, Sagamore and Raleigh if you want to. Places where there are no lines and bottle requirements that are just as fun include: Gemma, a lounge on Lincoln Road; Sushi Samba on Lincoln Road; O Asian Grill on Lincoln; The Room in the South of Fifth area of South Beach; Love/Hate Lounge in South of Fifth; and then if you want to go downtown, which I do suggest, check out, on the weekend, Grass Lounge and Michael's Genuine Food and Drink. - Lesley Abravanel 5/16/07

Q Hey Lesley -- What is the Bullrun Party all about tomorrow night? Who will be there? And how does one get in? Thanks for all your great info!
M., Miami, Florida 5/16/07

AIt's a big car rally and the drivers started in Montreal and are coming from Orlando with a pit stop at the Versace Mansion tomorrow from 9-1..see my blog for details. As for who gets in, it's a private event and apparently unless you're a racer in the rally, you can't get in. They are still waiting on word as to whether or not Paris Hilton will be there so we'll se...
Lesley Abravanel 5/16/07

QA group of 6 guys will be descending on SoBeach for Memorial Day weekend, Friday to Monday, a bachelor party. Have a suite at the Sagamore and one at the Delano. Some of us are on the prowl. What would be your suggested itinerary for daytime, dinner and clubbing for those days, oh knowledgeable one? We understand we will need to purchase bottle service at most places and are willing to do that one or two nights. Thanks so much.
Still Single, CA 5/15/07

AOh boy...you guys are going to have a lot of love to choose from..it's a big urban hip hop weekend down here then, too.... Friday night: Do Social at the Sagamore, no need to prowl much further..then hit either Set or Mokai... Saturday day: stay at your pools....dinner, Table 8 at the regent...after dinner, Set, Cameo or Mokai Sunday: Raleigh Hotel pool party; also check out The Standard Hotel pool scene one of the days. Dinner: Prime One Twelve or Vivi, right across from Prime 112, an excellent, reasonably priced Italian joint OR...Quattro on Lincoln Road. Sunday night maybe Prive, Mansion or Snatch. Have fun! An afterthought: If you want, consider going off the beach one of those nights and having dinner either at Michael's Genuine Food and Drink or Grass Lounge, or just drinks at Grass..in the Design District..great scene..nice crowd, not your typical beach people. You can also check out Karu & Y, a very high end restaurant and lounge space in downtown Miami. I highly recommend the food at Michael's. Scene down there may be a bit more chill than you guys want, tho.
Lesley Abravanel 5/15/07

QHi Leslie, Coming in from Jacksonville Beach for weekend with our friends(all fourty something) 5/18 - 5/21. What is happening real fun Fri, Sat nite? We usually go to Nikki Beach Sunday and Opium Garden later. Is that still happening? Any recomendations on restaurants? Is Tantra still a fun place? Thanks for your comments, enjoyed your Q & A section.
E & J, Jacksonville Beach, FL 5/14/07

AFriday night go to Social Miami at Sagamore Hotel..fun, loungey, dinner scene...Prive is good Friday night, too, but so is its new sister club Set, 320 Lincoln Road...very high end, chichi and clubby..call for bottle service to get in..next door is O Asian Grill, which is sceney pre-Set hours (9-midnight)..then t here's the new hot lounge Mokai, which is at 23rd between Collins and Dade Blvd...late night, small lounge scene..Nikki is good on Sundays and the Raleigh Hotel also does a Sunday scene party later in the evening....check out Quattro on Lincoln Road for Italian food; Vivi, across from Prime One Twelve, after or before Nikki Beach, also great Italian food..lots of Heat players go there; Tantra is good on Mondays, but you wont be here for that, so pass. Also check out the Miami Design District --fabulous new restaurant, Michael's Genuine Food and Drink, and Grass, another great restaurant and tiki-scene, up the block. Oh, and Table 8 at the Regent Hotel on South Beach..great food, lounge scene./ Have fun!
Lesley Abravanel 5/14/07

QHi Lesley - we're looking for a club/bar/lounge that has int'l flavor - possibly something that plays Arabic/Egyptian/Turkish/Indian music - maybe a hookah lounge in South Beach? Any suggestions?
Jazz, NY, NY 5/14/07

ANot so much on South Beach, but try Sheba Ethiopian Restaurant in the Miami Design District...very multi-culti, sometimes live music, too. Then you can check out Grass Lounge nearby that has an international flair , too..And Tantra on South Beach used to play great music, hookah pipes et al, but it seems as if it has given way to the hip hop culture, so call ahead and see what kind of music will be played on a night you'd want to go
Lesley Abravanel 5/14/07

QAnything fun going on tonight
Anonymous 5/12/07

ABesides the usual suspects...Miami Design District is having a gallery walk...fun and funky!
Lesley Abravanel 5/12/07

QI am a huge fan of "Miami Ink" and I am visiting from this friday to monday. Can I just go to the shop and meet them? Any chances of getting an appoinment to get a tattoo? Thanks!
LeaAnne, Harrisburg,PA 5/10/07

AYou can go to the shop and most likely stand outside a la the Today Show. Your best bet is to go to Ami James's new bar, Love Hate Lounge at 5th Street and Washington Avenue..but you never know. Miami Ink may grab you inside! Go!
Lesley Abravanel 5/10/07

QI like to go see cover bands that play hits from the 90s and 00s. Any suggestions? Thanks!
LeaAnne, Harrisburg,Pa 5/10/07

ATry Tobacco Road, Miami's oldest bar!
Lesley Abravanel 5/10/07

Qwhat night do you reccomend for mokai? friday or saturday nights good? and what music on those nights? many thanks
Rob, miami, fl 5/10/07

AWeekend nights are always fun..packed...music is mostly hip hop with some trippier stuff thrown in the mix...
Lesley Abravanel 5/10/07

QThanks so much!!! I totally forgot Mokaï!!! When would you suggest?
Sobeindahouse, SoBe, FL 5/09/07

AIf they are open Sunday, I say go there after Raleigh! I'm not sure they are though..if not, go Saturday!
Lesley Abravanel 5/09/07

Wednesday, April 4, 2007

Mansion 2007

Mynt 2007

Thursday, February 1, 2007

South Beach Club Schedule Spring 2007

Our picks:

Sundays:
Pearl, Nikki Beach
1 Ocean Dr
This party is either a great end to the weekend or a great start. You can start out in the sand at Nikki Beach listening to great electro house music and drinking mojitos, then shower up and hit Pearl at night. Pearl plays mixed format music at night (hip-hop, house, 80's etc.) at night and has a very strict dress code. Guys, this means no t-shirts and sneakers. Celebrity sightings are normal.


Mondays:
BED
929 Washington Ave
BED Monday's is a local scene which revolves around a hip-hop dinner party. It's young and fun. Expect to see some HEAT players and maybe some hip hop guys. Miami local Pitbull is there every Monday, and Shaq was there last Monday for example.

Tuesdays:
Rok Bar
1906 Collins Ave
Rok Bar is, well, a rock bar. It's not CBGB, it's a Miami style rock bar, which means everyone buys ripped clothes on Lincoln Road and goes to Rok Bar. Not that that's a bad thing. Rok Bar is a ton of fun. It's usually packed, so if you can't take shoulder to shoulder rocking this is not the place for you. If you can handle it, expect to be wasted in no time and rocking to the best tunes on XM channel 47.

If Rok Bar doesn't work out for you, try Prive on Tueday.

Wednesdays:
Glass
432 W 41st St
Glass is attached to the Forge steakhouse up on 41st. It's a fun party, it's also full of money. This is a great Wednesday if you're on a bach party and need to do dinner and a club. It's always a good time and there's a hip hop as well as a house area. Tons of good looking people, I think you get the idea.

Thursdays:
As of Thursday, you start to have some options...

My recommendation:
SET
320 Lincoln Road
This place is brand new and pretty spectacular. They have a mixed format, mostly beautiful local people and is by far the best thing going on Thursday nights.

Other spots:
Mansion
1235 Washington Ave
Mansion's Party has come and gone and it seems to be back again with Stephan at the helm. I would come late and stay late if you're planning on going. Mixed format, locals and tourists.

Fridays:
Mansion
1235 Washington Ave
The original hip hop party. They usually have a celebrity guest and it's a good mix of tourists and locals. The entire main dancing area is closed to VIP on Fridays.

Prive
136 Collins Ave
Fridays at Prive also seem to be back. It's a mixed format and packed with young people.

Snatch
1437 Washington Ave
A sort of rock bar, sort of club. Good times are had here. Like Rok Bar, it's usually jam packed.

Saturdays
Lots of options. It's the biggest party night of the week.

Prive
136 Collins Ave
They close Prive to VIP only on Saturdays, and the crowd shows it. Very fun mixed format scene with friendly staff and good tunes. Local hip hop celebrities are here every Saturday.

Mynt
1921 Collins Ave
Mynt is still rocking on Saturdays. The scene upstairs is full of beautiful people showing ridiculous amounts of spending power. It's a house music place, and if you like that kind of music like me, you will be happy all night. They have a hip hop room downstairs that is all redone, but is really hit or miss.

Mokai
235 23rd street
Mokai is brand new. It's a beautiful place and tends to attract people that got bored with Mynt. It's full of South Beach models and bottles. The music is mixed and drinks are pricey.

Suite
439 Washington Ave
Suite is a blast on Saturdays. It's a house music night and the crowd is nothing but 9's and 10's. Expect celebrities and an empty wallet, but a great time.

So that's the run down on the nights... there are some other places that aren't really worth mentioning so don't be lead astray.

As for hotels and their bars, they are a great pre-party spot almost every night... here are my favorites.

Red Room @ Sky Bar : Shore Club
Any bar at Delano, especially on the weekends
Social at Sagamore on Friday nights... usually 10pm-12am
Hotel Victor on Thursday nights

The Important Stuff
-------------------------------------------------
Everything I've mentioned on this list is where you WANT to be, you and everyone else. Here are some tips for getting into these places.

1. Be Nice. To everyone. The door guy will keep you outside all night if you are rude. If you get in, waitresses and staff will have you back outside in a flash if you're a jerk to them.

2. Be prepared to spend money. Drinks are $12-$20 in South Beach and gratuity is automatically charged $18-20%.

3. Look the part.

4. Get there early. Clubs usually open between 11-11:30pm. If you get there during the rush between midnight and 1am you can probably forget about getting in.

5. If you're all guys or impatient, see number 6.

6. Use a VIP hosting service like SoBeVIPs.com. You will pay a small fee to be escorted into the club by their hosts, but since they are connected to the scene you will get in everytime without any trouble. VIP services are priceless for groups of guys looking to get into South Beach clubs.

7. On holiday or special event weekends, all bets are off. Take WMC or Memorial Day weekend for example, every club is rented by a record label selling private event tickets. If you want to get in, buy tickets.