The Suite Life
Last Friday was the media and VIP party for Vertigo Sky Lounge (see photos), the new bar on the 26th floor of the Dana Hotel and Spa. As I reported in July, Vertigo, which boasts a rooftop deck, was supposed to open over the summer, but when shorts-and-sandals season passed with no opening date, anticipation waned a bit. Thankfully the weather complied last weekend, and the deck was packed with revelers—or, rather, smokers. Yes, smoking is allowed outside, next to the blazing fire pit. Management says the lounge will accommodate nicotine-heads through the winter with outdoor drink service.
The party was a big success, with guests treated to specialty cocktails whipped up by cart-pushing, cat suit-clad waitresses. One con to handcrafted cocktails: They take a long time to make, which can lead to traffic jams around the carts. One pro: The pours are much stronger. The bar opened to the public on Saturday, so you can check out the drink situation and panoramic views for yourself. And while we’re on the topic of the high life, another rooftop hotel bar with a delayed opening, Sky Lounge at the Avenue Hotel, opened last week. It, too, boasts stunning views and handcrafted cocktails, but, really, who doesn’t these days?
Celebrity Beat
Samantha Ronson took over the turntables at Crimson Lounge last Friday with gal pal Lindsay Lohan in tow. Although management fiercely protected Lohan from photographers, we kept an eye on the DJ booth, where she spent the night smoking cigs—no, the club doesn’t allow it—and texting furiously. We tried our best to see what she was so busy typing, but it just looked like one . . . long . . . text . . . message. At one point, the skinnier-than-thou Lohan got into a tiff with some female gawkers (not yours truly), who were screaming at Ronson. We can put any rumors to rest that Lohan and Ronson have split; they were clearly together as of Friday.
If you missed Ronson, you can still catch Good Charlotte’s Joel Madden spinning at the launch of RiNo‘s Backstage Thursdays series tonight, Thursday the 16th. RSVP at outfitevents.com for complimentary admission before 1:30 a.m.
New Bar Alert
Manor is finally aiming to open Stay, its long-planned 2,000-square-foot companion spot upstairs from the main club, in early November. The 4 a.m. lounge boasts a discreet separate entrance (111 W. Erie St.), marked only by a collage of distressed concert posters. For those late-night owls who score entry to the uber-VIP lounge, Stay will offer a more intimate alternative to the clubbier scene downstairs. As with Manor, expect bottle service and an onsite concierge who will arrange transportation, restaurant reservations, and hotel accommodations. Stay will be open Tuesdays and Saturdays only; check back here for more details.
In the meantime, The Hills’ Heidi Montag and her love-to-hate-him BF Spencer Pratt host a breast cancer benefit at Manor tomorrow, Friday the 17th. It’s a very worthy cause, but we can’t help wondering how much the duo is getting for showing up. In case you missed it, Pratt told David Letterman he makes "a minimum of $100,000” for club appearances. Red carpet arrivals are scheduled for 10:30 p.m.; entrance for us little people is $20.