WINDS OF CHANGE ARE SOMETIMES CHILLY: South Beach magically reinvents itself with every season, so much so that visitors whose visits are not yearly (say every three or four years) discover that the place they knew as South Beach no longer exists. Not to mention a favorite restaurant or shop that might have either disappeared or moved to the mainland. As a local I find it incredibly fascinating observing the multi-layered transformation all around me. The structural change affects the economics of an area, like when a once questionable neighborhood adds a couple of high-rise condos sending property values through the roof. Neighborhoods once filled with artists and locals, many employed by the nightclub industry, now boast wealthy international residents paying double and triple what the former residents paid.  So what if the former tenants are priced right out of the neighborhood? We’re talking progress, which often has a price tag too expensive for the pioneers responsible for laying the groundwork for one of the hottest pieces of real estate in America. Now many of those pioneers who first filled Lincoln Road with their galleries, boutiques and cafes have moved on. South Beach remains a rarity with its diversified inhabitants and internationally famous nightlife industry in a small beach town with one of largest collection of art-deco architecture. After eight years with a South Beach address, I’m still dazzled by the beauty of this tropical paradise. With any luck I won’t be priced off the beach but will be able to remain as resident as long as I choose. In ten years if you see me out clubbing, tell me to go home.

It’s chilly outside so step inside Chill. Gianluca Pinto (Chill owner) and Petra Vikscrem at Chill Restaurant/Lounge.

OUT AND ABOUT: Jason Binn, co-publisher of Ocean Drive Magazine, Gotham, Hamptons and L.A. Confidential, celebrated a weekend’s worth of birthday parties (including over the top bashes at Prive and Joia), however I chose to hibernate and contemplate the future, a scary and dangerous task in itself. I turned down invitations for dinner, cocktails and private parties (I must have had a fever) from the few who knew the date of my birth. Around 10 p.m. on the night of my birthday I began to feel that tug of adventure that can only be experienced at night as well as the urge to be anywhere but home. My friend Lisa called and invited me out, but I continued to play martyr for maybe a second, telling her I’d be ready in 45 minutes. Arriving at my door with a gift in one hand and an itinerary in the other, Lisa had us in a taxi headed for Tantra with a half hour of party time left before my birthday ended. I had told no one of my birthday however Lisa had taken it upon herself to call around (anywhere we might stop) announcing my birthday. So as we walked into Tantra a chorus of girls wished me a happy birthday. Luckily my friends know I prefer champagne to cake and champagne flowed all evening. Irina Hogle, the First Lady of Tantra, welcomed us with flutes of champagne. Our friend Elizabeth Pena was dancing on top of a speaker, the only place with space to move. After a couple of glasses of champagne we had to fight our way out of Tantra as the crowd was stuck together, making a casual exit impossible. We headed to Crobar’s Back Door Bamby but were detained by more flutes of champagne at Chill, the newly opened restaurant/lounge on Espanola Way & Drexel, since Gianluca Pinto, the owner of Chill, happened to be a friend of our party guide Lisa Umbel. Arriving at the door of Back Door Bamby I found that word had spread about my birthday and upstairs the champagne continued to flow. Birthday wishes were thrown at me as well as kisses and hugs but enough is enough, so we made like Vin Diesel (and entourage) and claimed the upper ultra-VIP lounge for our private party. The next morning came too quickly as did the deadlines I faced on top of an overbooked workday. At the end of the day I received an email from my dear friend Gilbert Stafford, legendary South Beach door god, who happens to have the same birthday (we always connected for a birthday toast) and called each other brothers. Gilbert sends his blessings from Philadelphia. What a night. Who needs cake? Some of those who shared in my birthday adventure were Sean McGrade (Blue/Lost Weekend), Massimo (door god), DJ Chucky Brown, Adora, Rudolph, Tanya & Danny (the witches), Patricia Fedorov, Irina Hogle, Michelle Woodward, Miguel Delgado, Elizabeth Pena, Jodi, Nicole times two (one bartender/one hostess), Mykel Stevens, Carmel Ophir, DJ Shannon, DJ GiGi, Michael Johansen, Lily Zanardi, DJ JoJo Odssey, Freda, Eric Cutson, DJ Luis Bode, Gianluca Pinto, Petra Vikscrew, Adrian, Rachel, Dave@Tantra, and of course tour guide Lisa Umbel.

Rudolph’s blonde entourage. Danny and the lovely
Tanya (known as the witches) at Back Door Bamby.

BEACH BUZZ: The much anticipated opening of Skybar, located in the Shore Club, opens on Friday night. The infamous SKIN party comes to the Vanilla Bar on Saturday, January 25. This erotically charged party is for attractive couples and women only. No unescorted men admitted. On Sunday all unescorted guys and their entourages fall under the spell of Super Bowl Sunday. Super Bowl parties of every variety keep football fans glued to the tube while those non-sports fans just party regardless of the score. The hot and handsome Alan Roth (Rumi/Magic Garden) calls his birthday celebration Heaven & Hell which is set for next Thursday (January 30^th) at Rumi. Speaking of Super Bowl parties and food, those not into typical Super Bowl party fare might opt for Rumi’s Super Bowl party where you can enjoy the tasty Rumi cuisine and if you’re so inclined, you may watch the game on a big screen TV(if you must). Maxwell Blandford Jr., first gave us Wednesdays at the Delano, now offers The Dragon Room, a Sushi Den, at the China Grill, on Wednesday, January 29^th with complimentary sushi and saketinis. Level has taken hip-hop to yet another level with gay hip-hop. Yes, their Sunday party “Da Goodbar” is the only gay hip-hop on the beach (enter in the rear/no pun intended).  
Remember to send all nightlife buzz, invitations and event information to Cubbysobe@hotmail.com. Don’t call, I never answer my phone. Until next week, see you out.

 
Lounging in the VIP. Lisa Umbel and Eric Cutson enjoying VIP treatment at Crobar.

WEEKLY PICKS:

MONDAY: Back Door Bamby at Crobar. Beat me, whip her or just watch the pain given or received (all in the name of pleasure). Bamby welcomes House of Dominance on January 27 with Fetish Factory serving up a buffet of torturous delights.

WEDNESDAY: Don’t go to bed, go to B.E.D. and celebrate the Third Anniversary of Michael Capponi’s Wednesday night party at B.E.D. on January 29^th. Get a bed or get in bed with someone else otherwise you’re just a voyeur. 

FRIDAY: Alan Roth, with the help of a few friends, replants the Magic Garden every Friday night at the National Hotel. Didn’t you just see this crowd in the Hamptons?

 A ménage of relations present and future. Alan Roth, Amanda Richman, and Eric Richman at RUMI.

SATURDAY: Be adventurous and bar/club-hop. Choose any bar, like Blue or Tantra, then dance and mingle for a few hours at Crobar before ending the evening at Club Deuce (the Deuce Bar). Now that’s a merry-go-round of fun. Change of clothes optional. 

WEBSITE OF THE WEEK: http://www.leonardodicaprio.com/leonardo/index.html. For those who can’t satisfy their Leonardo DiCaprio cravings even with two major releases with Leo as the star. Photos galore and facts even Leonardo doesn’t know.

BAR OF THE WEEK: Wander off Lincoln Road a bit and you’ll find Laundry Bar which not only features washers and driers (yes for laundry) but a fire-blowing bartender for those chilly nights. Many claim this bar as their local hangout even those who don’t live in the neighborhood. Drinking during the laundry process is not advised.