Nikki Beach
151 E 50th St
New York, NY 10022-7510
www.nikkibeach.com/newyork
Shockingly, now you have a reason to visit 50th street on a Saturday
night. Nikki Midtown, the latest in the Nikki Beach empire, brings
Miami decadence to the most boring neighborhood in the city. More
upscale lounge than "club," Nikki overflows with pillows, beds, a
cheery pastel color scheme, yummy eye candy, and even more pillows.
It's in the same spot as the old "Vue," and like Vue, the second-floor
VIP room looks down upon the dance floor with a massive glass wall. Oh,
and how do you get the to VIP room? Simple. For just a modest annual
fee, you get a "black card" which grants access to the upstairs lounge
that's decked out in private beds and table service. The cost? Just
$5,000 a year. Hey, these days, that's not that much more
than gas money. Weekdays, expect a more businessey crowd, as the
downstairs restaurant courts high-rollers and the clients they seek to
impress. Monday through Saturday has a 3-7 pm happy hour. No, no, not 2
for 1 drinks, silly, but you do get free Tapas to accompany your $11
gin and tonic. Don't pass on their signature drink, mojitos,
dangerously sweet and complete with sugar caneThe music? Primarily
house and electronic, although management is steering away from big,
mainstream names (i.e. don't look for BT or Tiesto) in favor of
emerging, underground producers from Europe. No hip-hop. And hey, when
you're plastered at 4 in the morning, it's only a few blocks walk to
Grand Central.